Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfect for busy weeknights! These boneless, skinless chicken thighs take less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish. All they need is a simple dry rub and a drizzle of olive oil.

The air fryer is my go-to, time-saving kitchen appliance for everything from these boneless air fryer chicken thighs to air fryer chicken cutlets, air fryer frozen salmon, and air fryer Alexia sweet potato fries!

Air frying dry-rubbed, skinless chicken thighs turns them into moist and delicious pieces of meat! I actually think air-fried chicken thighs resemble grilled chicken thighs. They stay juicy on the inside and get nice and crisp on the outside.

I've tested air fryer chicken thighs with a variety of dry rubs and also wet marinades. I can confidently say that I strongly prefer the dry rub! A drizzle of olive oil is all you need to make delicious, crispy chicken thighs.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs - Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are removed from the bone, and the skin is removed. They tend to be darker meat with a higher fat content than chicken breast. They're usually rolled up in the package, so when you open the package, you need to unroll them so that they are flat. This will ensure that you fully season the chicken thighs and also cook them evenly.
• Garlic powder - I always cook with garlic powder granules. Many brands of garlic granules are still labeled as garlic powder.
• Onion powder - Onion powder is a savory seasoning with a concentrated onion flavor.
• Italian seasoning - Italian seasoning blend usually consists of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and marjoram.
• Kosher salt - Kosher salt crystals are much larger and coarser than table salt. If you do not have kosher salt and want to use fine table salt, then you'll need to use half the salt the recipe calls for.
• Black pepper - Any type of ground black pepper will work for this recipe!
• Extra virgin olive oil - This recipe calls for a drizzle of olive oil before placing the boneless chicken thighs into the air fryer. If you don't have olive oil, then a substitute like avocado oil would also work.

*See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Equipment needed

• Air fryer - Here is the air fryer that I currently use. So far, I love it! It's 6 quarts and fits my needs well! This style has an air fryer basket.
• Measuring spoons
• Silicone tongs - A silicone tong is best for air fryers because you don't want to scratch the nonstick coating inside your air fryer.
• Meat thermometer - I use a digital instant-read thermometer that measures the internal temperature of cooked meat.
• Large mixing bowl

How to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs

Step 1 - Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle it over both sides of the raw chicken thighs. Make sure you open up your chicken thighs and use your hands to really rub the seasoning in.

Step 2 - Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the chicken thighs. Turn the chicken thighs over a couple of times so that both sides get some olive oil on them.

Step 3 - Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap for even air circulation. Cook in 2 batches if needed.

Step 4 - Cook the chicken thighs for 10 minutes at 380° degrees F. Flip them over and continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes.

Step 5 - Cook the chicken thighs until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Remove them from the air fryer and let the thighs rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

One of the many reasons I love air fryer boneless chicken thighs is they can be served with almost anything! Here are a few of my favorite options:

• Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Basmati Rice
• Sauteed Zucchini and Onions
• Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash
• Perfect Baked Potato (No Foil)

Recipe variations

If you want to add some variety to this recipe, then you can play around with the spice blend, use your favorite store-bought spice blend, drizzle the chicken thighs with infused olive oil, or add a sauce.

• Spicy - Add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili powder, sriracha sauce, lemon pepper, or diced jalapeno peppers if you like a little heat.
• Salty - Top your cooked chicken thighs with some soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
• Saucy - Chicken thighs can be served with just about any sauce! You could add a cheese sauce, alfredo sauce, marinara sauce, chicken gravy, buffalo sauce, or BBQ sauce.
• Sweet - Add some brown sugar or honey.

Storage & reheating

• Air fryer boneless, skinless chicken thighs will store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep them in a sealed, air-tight container.
• Reheat chicken thighs in the microwave or on the stovetop. Place the chicken thighs on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for 1-2 minutes.
• Place the chicken thighs in a small frying pan coated with cooking spray to reheat on the stovetop. Heat over low heat until warmed through.

FAQs

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