These air fryer boneless, skinless thighs are my weeknight "hero" recipe. They take only 18 to 20 minutes to get that signature crispy exterior without the mess of deep frying or the long wait for the oven to preheat. Whether you're meal prepping for the week or need a 3-ingredient dinner that kids won't fight you on, this is the method that never fails.
My Best Tip
Don't skip the paper towel pat-down! Getting the moisture off the surface of the chicken is the only way to get that "fried" crunch using only a teaspoon of oil.
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Recipe at a Glance
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Cooking Temp: 380°F
- Internal Temp: 165°F (target 175°F)
- Best For: Weeknight Dinner / Meal Prep
- Dietary Info: Gluten-Free / Low Carb
- Key Tools: Air Fryer / Meat Thermometer
Jump to:
- My Best Tip
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why This Method Works
- What You'll Need
- How to Get the Best Results (Step-by-Step Instructions)
- Rest and Serve
- Leftover Ideas
- What to Serve with These Thighs
- Easy Recipe Variations
- Storage and Reheating
- Recipe FAQ's
- What Readers are Saying ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Dinners
- Printable Recipe
- More Ways to Cook Chicken Thighs
- Comments
Why This Method Works
While I love a good oven-roasted thigh, the air fryer's concentrated heat mimics a convection oven but on a much smaller scale. Plus, I love the:
- Speed: You're looking at a 5-minute prep and under 20 minutes of cook time.
- Texture: I use a custom dry rub that caramelizes against the meat, creating a crust that stays juicy inside.
- Dietary-Friendly: Naturally gluten-free and easy to keep low-carb if you swap the brown sugar in the rub for an alternative.
What You'll Need
1.5 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Look for thighs that are similar in size so they finish cooking at the same time. If using frozen, see my notes below on adjusting the time.
1 tablespoon Olive Oil: This is my preference for high-heat air frying, but avocado oil works nicely too. Avoid canola or vegetable oil as it has a lower smoke point.
The "Mahogany" Dry Rub: I used my Homemade Dry Rub for Chicken made with:
- Brown Sugar: This is the key to the color and "crust."
- Smoked Paprika: Gives it a "grilled" flavor without a grill.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: The savory base.
- Chili Powder and Black Pepper: For a very mild heat.
- Seasoning Salt: I prefer this over plain salt for a deeper "rotisserie" flavor.
- Roasted Garlic and Peppers Seasoning: This adds the best flavor.
However, feel free to use your favorite seasoning blend or spices. (I also like using Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, Herbes de Provence, oregano, and lemon-pepper seasoning.)
How to Get the Best Results (Step-by-Step Instructions)
This is an easy process, but the timing is everything. If you're in a rush, you can jump to the printable recipe card or follow my visual guide below.
Prep the Chicken and the Rub
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. While that warms up, trim any large pieces of excess fat from the thighs. Use a paper towel to pat dry the chicken thighs.
The Dry Rub: Mix your spices in a small bowl. I use a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, seasoning salt, black pepper, Roasted Garlic and Peppers Seasoning, and a bit of brown sugar. The sugar is the "secret" to that beautiful dark char, but if you're doing Keto, feel free to leave it out.
The Oil: Brush the thighs lightly with olive or avocado oil. This acts as the "glue" for your spices.
Season Liberally
Don't be shy here. Coat every inch of the chicken.
Pro Tip: I like to toss the chicken and spices in a large bowl or a freezer bag. It ensures the seasoning penetrates every fold of the meat, where the flavor hides.
The Air Fryer Magic
Place the thighs in a single layer in the basket, smooth-side up. Air Fry for 12 minutes to develop the base color. Flip them over and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes.
Doneness: The exterior should be golden and slightly crispy. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the thigh has reached 165°F. (Since thighs are dark meat, I actually prefer taking them to 175°F; they stay juicy and the texture becomes much more tender).
Rest and Serve
Let the chicken sit for 2-3 minutes before slicing. This gives the juices time to redistribute so they don't all run out on the plate.
Leftover Ideas
These thighs stay incredibly juicy, making them perfect for meal prep. I love slicing the leftovers cold over a Caesar salad the next day, or tossing them into a quick stir-fry. If you're reheating them, reheat at 380°F for 2-3 minutes to bring back the crispiness.
What to Serve with These Thighs
Since these chicken thighs have a savory, slightly sweet rub, they pair perfectly with sides that can cut through that richness or soak up the juices.
- The "Comfort" Pairings. If you want a classic dinner, serve these over a bed of Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or cauliflower rice, or alongside my Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes.
- The "Air Fryer All-In" Meal. If you don't want to turn on the stove at all, you can make Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes, then toss in some Air Fryer Green Beans and Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower right after the chicken is done.
- Light and Fresh. For a lower-carb option, I love serving these sliced with a Cucumber Greek Salad or Coleslaw with Miracle Whip.
Easy Recipe Variations
One reason I love working with chicken thighs is how versatile they are. If you want to switch things up from the dry rub, try these:
- The "Soy-Honey" Marinade: If you have time to prep ahead, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Marinate the thighs for at least 30 minutes. Note: Because of the honey (sugar), these will brown much faster! Watch them closely at the 15-minute mark to prevent burning.
- Sticky BBQ Glaze: Skip the dry rub and air fry the chicken with just salt and pepper. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce or a balsamic glaze. This prevents the sauce from burning while the chicken cooks through.
- Keto/Low-Carb Version: To make this 100% Keto-friendly, simply swap the brown sugar in the dry rub for a monk fruit sweetener or erythritol. You'll still get that beautiful caramelization without the carbs.
- Make it Spicy: Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the dry rub for a "Nashville Hot" inspired kick.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve with ranch dressing, honey mustard, buffalo sauce, Sriracha, or Homemade Jalapeno Hot Sauce.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftover cooked thighs in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Wrap thighs individually in plastic wrap, place in a Ziploc bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: To keep the reheated chicken thighs juicy, sprinkle a few drops of water over them before reheating. Reheat in the air fryer at 380F for 2-3 minutes, or use the 'Reheat' function.
Recipe FAQ's
You can cook frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer. To do so, air-fry at 360F for 5 minutes, break them apart, then turn the heat to 380F and cook for 20-25 minutes until done.
For adults, I recommend serving 2-3 thighs per person, and 1-2 thighs per child.
What Readers are Saying ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"So easy and so good!" - Scott
"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."
"My whole family loved it." - Donna
"This was excellent and easy. I'll be adding this to our rotation for sure!"
"THE BEST RECIPE EVER!!" - Gena
"The flavor was delicious and moist. This is my new go-to recipe. Perfect for my Type 2 diabetes meal plan, and my hubby loved it as well!"
More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Dinners
If you loved how simple these thighs were, check out these other favorites from my kitchen:
Under 20 Minutes (Quick & Easy):
- Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts: For when you want a leaner protein that cooks even faster.
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs: If you want to skip the dry rub and go for a sticky, sweet glaze instead.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast: The ultimate "fancy" dinner that takes almost no effort. The bacon stays crispy while the breast stays juicy.
Family Favorites (30+ Minutes):
- Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings: The ultimate game-day recipe using a similar "no-breading" technique.
- Air Fryer Chicken Quarters: If you prefer dark meat on the bone, this recipe gives you the most incredible crispy skin.
- Air Fryer Butterflied Chicken Legs: By "butterflying" the drumsticks, you get more surface area for seasoning and a much faster cook time than traditional legs.
- Whole Chicken in Air Fryer: Did you know you can roast a whole chicken in only 45 minutes?
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Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
The Chicken
- 1.5 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (approx. 4-6 thighs, trimmed)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (or Avocado oil)
- 1 tablespoon Dry Chicken Rub (use my homemade blend below or your favorite store-bought brand)
Jeri's Homemade Chicken Rub (Makes 9 tbsp)
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic and Peppers Seasoning (Club House or McCormick)
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika (or regular paprika)
- 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
- 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Seasoning Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat: Set your air fryer to 380°F.
- Prep the Rub: In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, garlic powder, roasted garlic seasoning, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, and pepper. (Save the extra rub in your pantry for next time!)
- Dry and Oil: Use a paper towel to pat the chicken thighs dry on both sides. This is the secret to a crispy exterior. Brush each thigh lightly with olive oil.
- Season: Generously coat the chicken on all sides with 1 tablespoon of the dry rub. For the best flavor, make sure the seasoning gets into the folds of the meat.
- Air Fry: Place the thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave space between them for air circulation. Air fry at 380°F for 12 minutes. Flip the thighs over and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes.
- Check Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is safe at 165°F, but for the most tender "fall-apart" texture, I recommend taking thighs to 175°F.
- Rest: Remove the chicken from the basket and let it rest for 2-5minutes before slicing. This keeps the juices inside the meat.
Video
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Notes
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Use the "Reheat" function on your air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes to restore the crispy texture.
- Keto Option: Swap the brown sugar for a monk fruit or erythritol brown sugar substitute.
- Crispiness Tip: For an extra "deep-fried" crunch, give the thighs one final light spray of oil after the flip.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
More Ways to Cook Chicken Thighs
If you have more time on the weekend and want to take the flavor to the next level, I also have guides for making Smoked Boneless Chicken Thighs on Pellet Grill or my favorite Traeger Smoked Bone-In Chicken Thighs. The low-and-slow smoke flavor is a great alternative to the quick air fryer method!
Olson says
No doubt that the chicken will taste fine but I do not get the obsession with skinless, boneless chicken. Skin has loads of flavor as do bones! The fat factor is a non starter when compared pared to the salt and sugar in the rub. I cook lots of chicken but never dispose of skin and bones or buy skinless boneless anything. I use low sodium and minimal if any sugar rubs, getting my flavor from a modest salt/pepper or Dash rub. The bones are so good to have for homemade broth! Just a thought …
Jeri Walker says
Great point! Bone-in, skin-on chicken definitely brings a lot of flavor, and homemade broth is hard to beat! 😊 This recipe is more for convenience and quick cooking, but you can absolutely use bone-in, skin-on thighs instead - just adjust the cook time a bit. Thanks for sharing!
QB says
Just got an air fryer and found this recipe. First time doing chicken and it came out perfectly.
Jeri Walker says
Yay! I'm so glad you liked the recipe! Thank you so much for the review - and enjoy your air fryer! 😊