These juicy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are seasoned with a delicious spice rub for a flavorful, crispy exterior. This is an easy dinner recipe cooked to perfection in just 20 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides for a meal your whole family will love.
One of my favorite ways to make a chicken dinner is in the air fryer. Have you tried my Air Fryer Chicken Breasts and Air Fryer Chicken Legs yet?
This boneless skinless chicken thighs air fryer recipe is no exception. It's an easy way to put dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.
Serve with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or steamed brown rice with Air Fryer Green Beans or Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower for a delicious meal.
If you love these juicy chicken thighs, check out Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs On Pellet Grill.
Jump to:
- ⭐ Why you'll love this recipe
- 🐓 Ingredients & Substitutions
- 🔪 How to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- 🥗 Serving suggestions
- 💭 Expert Tips
- 🌡️ Storage
- 🧂 Additions & Variations
- 📋 Recipe FAQs
- 🐓 What to do with air fryer chicken thighs?
- More air fryer chicken recipes
- Easy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 👩🏻🍳 Meet The Author
- 💬 Comments
⭐ Why you'll love this recipe
- Because the crispy chicken thighs are dark meat, they are incredibly juicy on the inside.
- This easy chicken recipe makes a perfect weeknight dinner.
- You will love the tender meat.
- Easy recipe with quick prep time - great for weekly meal prep.
- Using the air fryer is the best way to get the juiciest chicken.
- This boneless chicken thigh recipe is not made with breadcrumbs, so it is gluten-free.
- Use it as a main dish or in stir-fries, salads, chicken soup, tacos, pasta, a casserole, or Buddha bowls!
🐓 Ingredients & Substitutions
All you need to make this simple recipe is:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs. Use fresh or frozen chicken thighs. You can also use bone-in thighs or skin-on thighs if you like crispy skin.
- Olive oil. This gives the dry rub something to stick to. Brush on the oil or use an olive oil spray or cooking spray. Substitute with avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
- Chicken dry rub. I used my Homemade Dry Rub For Chicken made with brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, paprika (or smoked paprika), onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and ground black pepper. You can also use your favorite seasoning blend or spices like Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, Herbes de Provence, oregano, or lemon-pepper seasoning.
See the printable recipe card below for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
🔪 How to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs
Quick overview
- Mix up the spice mixture.
- Toss the thighs with oil and seasoning.
- Air fry for 12 minutes.
- Flip and air fry for 6 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite sides.
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Step 2: Use a knife to cut off any excess fat, then dry the thighs with a paper towel. Brush olive oil on the chicken, covering all sides.
Step 3: Cover chicken thighs liberally with the dry rub. You can sprinkle the rub on with a spoon or put the chicken in a large bowl or freezer bag and add the rub. Toss until the thighs are well-coated.
Step 4: Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, smooth side up, and set the cooking time for 10-12 minutes. (Smaller thighs 10 minutes, larger thighs 12 minutes). Leave enough space for air to move around the chicken thighs. If using skin-on chicken thighs, place them skin side down.
Step 5: Use tongs to flip the thighs over gently. Air fry boneless skinless thighs for 5-6 minutes more. I recommend checking the thighs after 5 minutes to ensure they don't overcook.
Step 6: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh. The chicken is done when the internal temperature is 165 degrees F and is golden brown. Brush with barbecue sauce if desired.
Pro Tip: Because all air fryer models cook differently, the cooking time can vary, depending on the size of the thighs and how hot your air fryer cooks.
🥗 Serving suggestions
Serve these air-fried chicken thighs with a side salad or your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
Some of my favorite sides are:
💭 Expert Tips
- For extra crispy boneless thighs, spray with olive oil when you put them in the air fryer and again when you flip them.
- Leave space between the thighs so the hot air can circulate evenly for best results.
- Depending on the size of the chicken, you may need to increase or decrease the cooking time. Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- You can double or triple the recipe to make larger quantities. If increasing the recipe, cook the chicken in batches.
- According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.
🌡️ Storage
- Refrigerator: Cool the leftover chicken to room temperature and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to four days.
- Freezer: Wrap the thighs individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to two months.
- Thaw: Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 380ºF (193ºC) for 2-3 minutes until heated.
🧂 Additions & Variations
- If using frozen thighs, air fry at 360 degrees F for 5 minutes until defrosted and broken apart, then follow the recipe.
- If using bone in thighs, add an extra 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
- Marinade the chicken in the dry rub for 2-4 hours before air frying for the best flavor.
- Brush with BBQ sauce or a balsamic glaze in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme. You can also garnish with chopped green onion or scallion.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch dressing, honey mustard, buffalo sauce, Sriracha, or hot sauce.
- Make it low-carb or keto by substituting the brown sugar with your favorite sugar substitute.
Related Chicken Recipes: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs and Best Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes.
📋 Recipe FAQs
The best temperature for cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer is 380°F (193°C). This will ensure that they don't cook too fast and dry out.
Air fry boneless skinless chicken thighs for about 18 minutes at 380°F (193°C).
Cook chicken thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F when measured in the thickest part of the meat with a meat thermometer.
You can cook frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer. Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes, break them apart, turn the heat to 380°F, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Yes, but you will need to increase the cooking time to 22-25 minutes.
🐓 What to do with air fryer chicken thighs?
You can chop up the cooked chicken thighs and use them in Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry, White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese, Olive Garden Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo, or Food Court Bourbon Chicken.
You can also top the chicken with Homemade Chunky Salsa and grated cheese or use it as a quick and easy shortcut in Tangy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry.
Browse my list of more Easy Air Fryer Recipes.
Related Recipes: Crispy Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer, Smoked Chili Lime Chicken, Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.
More air fryer chicken recipes
If you tried this juicy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thank you! 🙂
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Easy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dry chicken rub The recipe below makes 9 tablespoons. Save any extra rub in an airtight container in your pantry.
Homemade Dry Chicken Rub
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic and Peppers Seasoning a Club House seasoning. You can also use the McCormick brand.
- 2 teaspoons paprika or smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Brush the boneless chicken thighs with olive oil.4 chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Combine brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl.¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic and Peppers Seasoning, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon seasoning salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Season the thighs on all sides with the chicken rub or seasoning.1 tablespoon dry chicken rub
- Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Set the cooking time for 10-12 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The chicken thighs are fully cooked when crispy and golden brown and have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh. If they are not fully cooked, add another minute or two to the cooking time.
- When done, remove chicken thighs from the air fryer, let them rest for a few minutes, and serve.
Video
Notes
- For extra crispy boneless thighs, spray with olive oil when you put them in the air fryer and again when you flip them.
- Leave space between the thighs so the hot air can circulate evenly for best results.
- Depending on the size of the thighs, you may need to increase or decrease the cooking time. Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
Nutrition
👩🏻🍳 Meet The Author
Meet Jeri, a self-taught home cook with over 40 years of cooking experience who decided to start a second career as a full-time food blogger. She is the recipe creator, writer, photographer, and creator of Winding Creek Ranch. Her mission is to make your life easier by sharing delicious recipes your family will love.
Amy Liu Dong
Wow! This is such a great-looking chicken dish! It looks amazingly delicious and very appealing too!
Scott
So easy and so good! I am 70 and started to learn to cook about three months ago. I appreciate an easy meal once in awhile.
I used Famous Dave's Chicken Rub.
Jeri Walker
It's never too late to start something new, and I'm so impressed that you've taken up cooking at 70! I'm glad you found my Air Fryer Chicken Thighs easy + delicious - after all, that's my goal with this blog! 🙂 Be sure to check out my other air fryer recipes - they are all easy to make. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about any of my recipes! 🙂 Happy Cooking!
Teya
For some reason mine weren’t cooked after following exact directions. Could this be my air fryer faulting or the chicken thighs too thick? I had them thawed all the way.
Jeri Walker
Hi Teya. If your chicken thighs weren't cooked thoroughly, it is possible they were thicker which would require a longer cooking time, so I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Also, different makes and models of air fryers may cook differently, so I suggest following the suggested temperature but use the meat thermometer to check for doneness. I hope this helps!
Robin
I don't understand the timing. Is it a total of 12 minutes, turning at the 6 minute point? Or is it 18 minutes, turning after 12 minutes?
Jeri Walker
Hi, Robin. It is 18 minutes total, turning after 12 minutes.
Spider
Great Question. And dinner came out great
Jeri Walker
Awesome! I'm glad you liked it! 🙂
Donna
This was excellent and easy. My whole family loved it. I’ll be adding this to our rotation for sure!
Jeri Walker
Thanks, Donna! I'm so glad you and your family loved these thighs! 🙂
Barbara Peters
Can you do skinless drumsticks the same way. Time & temp please
Jeri Walker
Absolutely! Cook the drumsticks in a single layer for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F, until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. 🙂
Jared
I am going to try this recipe in my air fryer. I usually only cook boneless, skinless chicken thighs on the grill outside to cook off all the excess fat on them. How much of the fat do you cut off the chicken thighs before you cook them in the air fryer?
Jeri
Hi, Jared. I cut off any excess fat that may be on the chicken thighs before I air fry them. Let me know how you like the recipe! 🙂
Sheri
What if I just wanted to cook them to use them in a Recipe? Not crispy
Jeri
Hi, Sheri. If you're looking to cook chicken thighs in your air fryer without making them crispy, one option is to coat the chicken in a sauce or marinade before cooking it. This will help keep the meat moist and flavorful. Another option is to cook the chicken at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. This will also help keep the chicken from becoming too crispy. Regardless of which option, make sure to cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Personally, if you follow the recipe, the chicken is super moist and juicy and will work to use in a recipe. Hope this helps!
Gena Russell
Oh my gosh!! THE BEST RECIPE EVER!!
Made the dry rub and let marinate couple hours. The best flavor and thigh meat was delicious and moist. This is my new go-to recipe for chicken. Been following meal plan since being diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Perfect for me. Hubby loved it as well. Thank you so much for this awesome way to air fry chicken thighs.
Jeri
Gena, thank you so much for trying the Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs recipe! I'm so glad you loved the flavor and that it was a hit with your husband too! I'm thrilled that it is now your go-to recipe! Thanks for commenting! 🙂