Juicy, perfectly-seasoned Boneless Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs, ready for dinner in under half an hour.
Choosing which cut of chicken to cook has never been much of a struggle for me because I typically just buy whatever is on sale at the time. My trusty local grocer always has some cut of chicken on sale, and the fewer decisions I have to make on a daily basis, the better! So I just let the sales choose for me.
But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a favorite cut of chicken. Truthfully, there’s one cut I am always secretly hoping is on sale. Arguably (I am arguing), the tastiest cut is the boneless, skinless chicken thigh. Unlike chicken breast, which can get dry during cooking, I’ve never managed to dry out a boneless, skinless chicken thigh, likely due to the delicious fat content.
There’s no wrong way to cook a boneless chicken thigh, but one of the easiest and fastest ways I’ve found to do it is in the air fryer. This recipe uses a simple seasoning combination—garlic and onion powder, herby oregano, and smoked paprika—and adds honey, which I refer to as the “secret ingredient.” It’s not a secret, of course, but in my opinion, it’s the ingredient that makes this chicken really shine.
Are These Boneless Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs Healthy?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are generally healthy. By comparison, they are fattier than chicken breast, but this recipe doesn’t contain a lot of fat per serving, (even with the added olive oil), and it’s worth noting that most of the fat in this dish is the healthy monounsaturated type. Chicken thighs provide a lot of protein, along with doses of potassium and vitamin A. This recipe does not, however, have much fiber or other vitamins, so you’ll want to serve it up with some healthy sides as part of a larger meal.
Overall, this recipe is low-carb, dairy-free, gluten-free, and free of refined sugar.
Get Spicy
This recipe calls for smoked paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, which are fairly standard seasonings for chicken, and you’ll end up with a tasty batch of chicken thighs if you stick to the recipe. But if you like things spicier or you enjoy experimenting with different seasonings, this is a great recipe to try something new! Here are a few of my favorite combinations.
Cajun seasoning blends: You can’t go wrong with a good Cajun chicken thigh! If you want to use a Cajun seasoning blend, keep in mind that many of them are quite salty. I advise using it liberally, instead of the salt, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Keep the oregano and honey.
Za’atar: This Middle Eastern spice blend uses sumac and sesame, so it’s quite different from the recipe’s flavor profile, but it makes tasty chicken thighs! I would keep all the ingredients in the recipe to make za’atar thighs, except for the salt and honey. Some za’atar blends have plenty of salt, but some are not as salty, so you may need to add a bit of salt.
Dry rub seasonings: There are lots of “dry rub” seasoning blends out there, and they’re intended to rub on meats before they go on the grill. I have quite a few of these dry rubs on my spice rack, and all of them are good on chicken thighs! (Except for the espresso rub, which woke me up at 2 in the morning after I used it on my dinner. Don’t be like me.) Most dry rubs are an all-in-one seasoning with salt included, so I’d skip all the seasonings in the recipe if you’re using a dry rub. Keep in mind that some dry rubs contain a substantial amount of sugar, and if yours does, I suggest skipping the honey in this recipe, as well.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover air-fryer chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. You can also store these in the freezer in Ziploc freezer bags or freezer-safe containers, and they should keep for at least 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These chicken thighs are meant to be paired with sides, and they go with nearly everything! I love matching this chicken with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and a flavored rice, such as Italian Rice or Asian Rice. You can also slice up your chicken thigh and set it on top of a Tossed Salad or Caesar Salad for a quick, healthy meal.
If I’m craving a sandwich, I’ll use this chicken to make myself a chicken BLT Sandwich. Add some avocado slices for an incredible sandwich experience!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400℉. Using a paper towel, pat the chicken thighs dry. Don't skip this step, as it is crucial to achieve a crispy texture.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken thighs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Rub the seasoning blend over the chicken thighs, covering all sides.
- Grease the air fryer basket with an olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Cook the chicken thighs for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉.
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