Name: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs; 1 cup low sodium soy sauce; 2 tbsp Minced Garlic; 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper; 1/2 Lemon; 1/4 cup Olive Oil; 2 tbsp Fresh Rosemary

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Fast, flavorful, and family-friendly, these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a great addition to any dinner table. Serve with a tasty side for an easy meal the whole family will love.

air fryer chicken thighs on a black background

Why You're Going To Love Them

Fast. Get juicy and tender boneless chicken thighs in less than 30 minutes.
Easy. Marinate the chicken thighs in some flavorful ingredients and then pop them in the air fryer. No special steps are needed.
Budget-friendly. Chicken thighs are an affordable cut of meat, but when prepared the proper way, they taste far from cheap.
Delicious. The marinade and crispy skin make for a tasty bite that the whole family will adore.

Can You Put Raw Chicken In The Air Fryer?

If you're new to using your air fryer, welcome to the club! I promise you're going to love it here. Many new users are skeptical of cooking raw chicken in the air fryer.

I can assure you that if you cook your chicken thoroughly and wash your air fryer basket after using it, the air circulating inside of your air fryer will not pose any kind of health concern.

Are you not crazy about extra clean-up from any drippings that may come off your air fryer chicken thighs? You can roast them in any heat-safe dish that easily fits inside your air fryer basket to make cleaning a breeze.

What Kind Of Thighs Are Best In The Air Fryer?

Honestly, they're all tasty! Depending on how you intend to serve them, how much time you have, and what you have in your refrigerator are the only things stopping you from choosing bone-in chicken breasts from boneless chicken breasts.

The only difference you'll notice is the cooking time. We'll discuss that a little more below.

How Long Do You Air Fry Chicken Thighs?

If you choose boneless chicken thighs, you should expect them to take around 15 minutes to cook completely.

For bone-in chicken thighs, allow closer to 30 minutes for them to cook through.

Of course, you should always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs before serving them. They should reach 165F at the thickest part of the boneless chicken breast, or 165F close to the bone if you are using bone-in.

Ingredients You'll Need

Chicken Thighs. You can choose boneless or bone-in. Simply adjust the cooking times according to the recipe below.
Soy Sauce. I prefer the low sodium version to use in a marinade.
Pepper.
Garlic. You can mince your own for more flavor, or use the pre-minced garlic in a jar or squeeze tube.
Rosemary. Fresh rosemary will give the most flavor to these juicy chicken thighs.
Olive Oil. Helps crisp up the skin when it's cooked in the air fryer.
Lemon Juice. Just a touch to finish and give some acidity to the dish.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Prepare the marinade. Mix together soy sauce, pepper, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, and olive oil in a large bowl, reserving a third of it in a separate bowl to use for basting.
Let them absorb the flavor. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the larger amount of sauce, cover, and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer. Allow your air fryer to preheat to 400 degrees and place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket.
Air fry and baste. Air fry the chicken tenders for 7-8 minutes and flip them over. Use a basting brush to cover both sides of the chicken thighs with the sauce that was not used for the marinade.
Finish cooking and rest. Cook for an additional 7-8 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs to ensure it has reached 165F. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving for optimal juiciness.

Tips And Tricks

Give them space. To allow even cooking, place the chicken thighs in a single layer in your air fryer basket without bunching them together. Depending on the size of your chicken thighs and which type of air fryer you have, you should be able to air fry between 4 and 6 at a time.
Prep ahead of time. If you know you have a busy evening ahead of you, you can marinate the chicken thighs for up to 24 hours in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Freeze 'em up. Oops! Did you make too many? No problem. You can store these chicken thighs flat in a freezer-safe container and they will stay tasty for up to 3 months. When it's time to enjoy the leftovers, allow them to defrost completely and toss them back in your air fryer at 400F for 4-6 minutes or until they are warmed through.

What To Serve With Them

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are far from bland, but they are seasoned with spices that work well with a variety of different cuisines. Because of this, they are great for meal prep to add to your favorite dishes or can easily stand alone with a side dish or two for a complete dinner.

Here are some of my favorite things to pair them with:

How Long Do They Last?

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is great for meal prep. However, for the best and safest bite, try to enjoy these roasted chicken thighs within 4 days of preparing them.

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