Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are one of my favorite cuts of chicken to cook in my air fryer. Whether I’m in a rush or just looking for a no-fuss dinner option, air frying these chicken thighs always gives me juicy, flavorful meat with minimal effort. Plus, I use less oil, making it a healthier option compared to traditional roasting, while still achieving that perfect golden crisp.
Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.
Chicken thighs are much more flavorful and budget-friendly than boneless chicken breasts, plus they’re incredibly simple to cook. With no bones to work around and the skin removed, they cook faster than bone-in cuts and still come out tender.
I love serving air fried chicken thighs with Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf) and a bowl of Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt With Cucumbers) for a delicious family meal.
For other air fryer chicken recipe ideas, you might want to check out my Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe and Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer for different cuts of chicken.
Whether you’re making them for a weeknight dinner, meal prepping for the week, or adding them to a salad or wrap, this versatile recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs – For this recipe, I use skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel—no need to rinse.
- Yogurt – The acidity from natural plain yogurt helps tenderising the chicken thighs.
- Olive oil – Keeps the chicken moist and helps achieve that crispy exterior in the air fryer.
- Seasoning – I use a simple seasoning consisting of salt, pepper, and paprika but you can use other seasonings such as thyme, garlic powder, smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.
How to Make Boneless and Skinless Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer?
Important Note
Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.
Making these extremely juicy and delicious Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs is very easy. However, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:
Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. To make the marinade, in a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, olive oil, yogurt, and paprika.
Toss in the chicken thighs with the marinade, making sure they’re evenly coated.
Quick Tip!
If you have time, let the chicken thighs marinate for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 24 hours.
Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overcrowded. The air fryer works best when there’s space for the air to circulate around each piece of chicken.
Air fry the chicken thighs for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the outside is golden brown and crispy.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, let it rest for about 5 minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute and keep the meat tender and moist.
Expert Tips From the Chef
- If you have time, let the chicken thighs marinate for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 24 hours.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken pieces are cooked thoroughly until the core temperature reaches 74 °C (165 °F) degrees.
- If you want to use bone-in chicken thighs, you might need to adjust the cooking time.
- Rest your chicken thighs for 5 minutes before serving to help the juices redistribute and keep the meat tender and moist.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
These chicken thighs are incredibly versatile, so there are plenty of ways to round out your meal. Here are some delicious pairing options:
Side Dishes
Sauces
- Toum – Lebanese Garlic Sauce – A creamy, garlicky dipping sauce is perfect for adding extra flavor.
- BBQ Sauce – For a smoky, sweet touch, serve your chicken with a side of BBQ sauce.
- Honey Mustard – A tangy and sweet option that complements the crispy chicken beautifully.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers, storing and reheating is simple.
Storing
Place the cooled chicken thighs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To reheat, place the chicken thighs back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until warmed through. This will help them retain their crispy texture without drying out.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs, but the cooking time will be longer. It’s best to thaw them first to ensure even cooking, but if you’re short on time, you can air fry them from frozen. Just be sure to cook them until they reach the proper internal temperature.
The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
If you notice smoke while cooking fatty cuts like chicken thighs, add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This prevents the dripping fat from causing smoke.
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the process of preparing these juicy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs just as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit!
Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 800 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (6-8 thighs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp natural plain yogurt
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- To make the marinade, in a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, olive oil, yogurt, and paprika.
- Toss in the chicken thighs with the marinade, making sure they’re evenly coated.
- If you have time, let the chicken thighs marinate for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 24 hours.
- Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overcrowded. The air fryer works best when there’s space for the air to circulate around each piece of chicken.
- Air fry the chicken thighs for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the outside is golden brown and crispy.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, let it rest for about 5 minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute and keep the meat tender and moist.
Notes
- If you have time, let the chicken thighs marinate for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 24 hours.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken pieces are cooked thoroughly until the core temperature reaches 74 °C (165 °F) degrees.
- If you want to use bone-in chicken thighs, you might need to adjust the cooking time.
- Rest your chicken thighs for 5 minutes before serving to help the juices redistribute and keep the meat tender and moist.
Healthy, super delicious, and easy to make. This recipe is a keeper!
Dear Joanne, thank you so much for your lovely comment!