Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Want to make the BEST Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs? These chicken thighs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for your next meal!
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My bone-in, skin-on air fryer chicken thighs recipe has been an enormous hit online and I’ve received so many rave reviews of the recipe, so I thought it was time to bring that same amazing flavor to boneless, skinless chicken thighs! If you’re looking for a slightly lighter spin on chicken thighs, I’ve got you covered with this recipe.
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients Needed for Boneless Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Ingredient quantities for this easy air fryer chicken are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Olive oil
- Baking powder ⭐
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cumin
⭐ The baking powder helps create a crispy outside for your skinless chicken thighs!
How To Make Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs (Quick Overview)
The steps below are just a quick overview of how to make the recipe. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
For best results: If your air fryer has a preheating option, set it to 400°F. Alternatively, heat the air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes prior to placing the chicken thighs in the basket.
Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl.
Put the chicken thighs in a clean bowl or on a plate. Pat them dry, then coat them evenly with olive oil.
Then, evenly sprinkle the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the chicken thighs and rub in to make sure it sticks.
Place the chicken thighs into the air fryer basket.
Most boneless, skinless chicken thighs are folded when you purchase them. For this recipe, you will need to unfold the thighs into a single layer before seasoning and cooking them, as shown in the photo below.
Next, cook your chicken thighs. I use a 5-3-2 method, meaning I cook them for five minutes on one side, then flip them and cook them for three minutes on the other side, then flip them back to the original side and cook them for two more minutes.
This cooks the thighs thoroughly while giving one side a crispier finish, even though these are skinless thighs!
Make sure the thighs have reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F, measured at the thickest part of the meat.
Temperature Note 🌡
Some people (myself included!) prefer the taste of chicken thighs heated up to 185-195°F instead of 165°F. Unlike chicken breasts, which dry out easily, chicken thighs are much more forgiving. Give it a try and see what you think!
Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into them. (This step is critical – it will lock the juiciness in! 🔒)
Look how juicy that chicken is 😍 Pair it with your favorite sides, and you have yourself one incredible meal!
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- You can make delicious air fryer crispy chicken thighs so super crispy and flavorful that people will believe they’re breaded! This is one of the top recipes here on Filling and Fabulous and for good reason.
- Throw a party with these mouthwatering air fryer drumsticks and let them become your ultimate football game day food.
- Mix it up a bit with the hugely popular garlic parmesan chicken and chili lime chicken thighs. Each has a wonderful combination of flavors!
- Crazy about chicken wings? Get ready to be amazed! These irresistible air fryer chicken wings will blow you away, featuring options like air fryer buffalo wings and zesty air fryer lemon pepper wings!
Looking for an Air Fryer?
If you’re looking for an air fryer, I can’t recommend the Ninja Foodi enough. It’s not only an air fryer but also a pressure cooker, slow cooker, dehydrator, and more! I love it and use it daily.
After you try this recipe, you won’t want to eat boneless, skinless chicken thighs any other way. Enjoy!
Side Dishes for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Discover a new love for veggies with these roasted vegetables. They’re not just delicious—they’ll revolutionize your veggie game!
- Want something simpler yet satisfying? Try oven roasted zucchini and squash, roasted zucchini and carrots, or roasted carrots and broccoli. Each dish is a burst of flavor!
- Craving something crispy? Sweet potato fries in an air fryer are the perfect side dish. They’re so good, your family and guests will be begging for more! Check out our collection of crispy and sweet recipes that everyone loves.
- Transform your Brussels sprouts experience with these crispy Brussels sprouts in the oven. Perfect for winning over even the most skeptical family members!
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Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/4 lbs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp baking powder
Instructions
- For best results, preheat your air fryer to 400 F for 5-6 minutes before placing the boneless chicken thighs into the air fryer.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
- Place chicken thighs onto a clean plate. Pat the thighs dry to remove any moisture and then coat them evenly on both sides with olive oil.
- Evenly sprinkle the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the chicken thighs and rub in to coat.
- Place the chicken thighs into the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 F for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, use tongs to carefully flip them and cook for another 3 minutes. Flip them one last time and cook for an additional 2 minutes. (Total cook time of 10 minutes.)
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs to make sure they have reached at least 165 F. Note that some people (myself included!) prefer the flavor of chicken thighs that are heated to 185-195 F. If needed, return the thighs to the air fryer until they reach your desired temperature.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.
Oh my gosh!! Super tasty and very juicy! Plus being quick and simple.
Thank you so much, Marna!!
They turned out beautifully! Thanks for your recipe 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda! I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
Baking powder? Why? I mean, I’m sure you know what you’re doing but I was not expecting that on the list of ingredients. Can you tell me what it does?
Hi Jackie! The baking powder reacts with the oil on the outside of the thigh to create microscopic bubbles, which amps up the crispiness. It has the biggest impact on meat that isn’t skinless, but I’ve started adding it to all of my skinless recipes too to make them crispier.