Make Delicious Grilled Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Today, I’m excited to share with you a mouthwatering, easy recipe that’s perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something tasty but don’t have a lot of time to spare: Grilled Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer! This recipe is not only super simple but also incredibly flavorful, making it a win-win for any mealtime situation.
My family loves chicken for supper, and these air fried, juicy chicken thighs are always a HUGE hit. They’re so flavourful, they have the perfect texture, and they’re really quick to make on those busy weeknights. These grilled chicken thighs in the air fryer would pair beautifully with a side salad like my Strawberry Spinach Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing. I hope you love this air fryer chicken thighs recipe as much as we do!
Ingredients
- boneless chicken thighs
- sea salt
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- sweet paprika
- dried oregano
- olive oil
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large bowl and sprinkle the sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, and olive oil over the chicken thighs*. Mix until evenly coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F, then place the seasoned chicken thighs in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer.
Cook the chicken thighs for about 15 minutes. Then, flip them over and continue frying for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken thighs are golden brown and crispy. Cooking time will vary from machine to machine and based on the size of the thighs, so ensure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165 °F (74 °C).
Once your chicken thighs are perfectly cooked, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter. Pair them with your favorite sides—I recommend creamy mashed potatoes and a medley of roasted veggies for a complete and satisfying meal!
Hint 1: If you don’t own an air fryer, fear not! You can achieve similar results by baking the chicken thighs in a preheated oven at 400°F (or approximately 200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
*Hint 2: You can make a pre-mixed chicken thigh seasoning blend to make this step super-fast! Simply quadruple the spice amounts, mix them together in a small bowl, and then store the mix in a lidded container to use for the next few times you make these juicy air fryer chicken thighs!
Substitutions
- Chicken Thigh – Don’t have chicken thighs on hand? No worries! You can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts or even chicken drumsticks for this recipe. Air fryer chicken breasts are our family’s second favourite pick!
- Bone-in Chicken Thighs – You can also use bone-in thighs instead of boneless skinless, however you’ll have to cook them for a bit longer.
- Spices – Experiment with different seasoning blends to customize this recipe to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or ground black pepper for some heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for a zesty twist.
Equipment
I like to use my favourite XL air fryer to fry chicken thighs, but you can also use a regular oven.
Storage
Store the cooked chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. These make great leftovers, and I love shredding the leftover chicken to use as a salad topper at lunch time. You can also store the air-fried chicken thighs in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. This is great for meal prep!
Top tip
Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. This air circulation will give you the best results and make the crispiest, yummiest chicken thighs!
Grilled Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer Recipe
Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 7-8 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika sweet
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
- Start by gathering all your ingredients. Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle the sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, and olive oil over the chicken thighs.
- Using your hands or a pair of tongs, mix the seasoning and olive oil thoroughly, ensuring that each chicken thigh is evenly coated.
- Now, it's time to fire up that air fryer! Preheat it to 390°F (or approximately 200°C). This step ensures that your chicken thighs will cook evenly and become wonderfully crispy.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs inside in a single layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook the chicken thighs for about 15 minutes. Then, carefully flip them over using tongs to ensure even cooking on both sides.
- Continue frying for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken thighs are golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
- Once your chicken thighs are perfectly cooked, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter. Pair them with your favorite sides—I recommend creamy mashed potatoes and a medley of roasted veggies for a complete and satisfying meal!
Notes
Nutrition
These nutrition values are estimates only. Read my full nutrition disclaimer here.
Food safety
- Cook the chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked properly.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
