Ready for some Chicken? In this recipe, I am making boneless skinless chicken thighs with a sweet and spicy rub. These boneless chicken thighs are juicy, sweet, spicy, and can be done ready to eat in under 25 minutes.
If you aren’t a fan of sweet and spicy you can substitute your favorite chicken rub and follow the rest of the steps to get a great, quick, and easy air fryer meal on the table in no time.
Chicken Thighs
In this recipe, I am using fresh boneless skinless chicken thighs. If you have frozen chicken thighs you can use those as well but I would recommend thawing them first. If you aren’t a fan of boneless skinless chicken thighs you can use the same seasoning and method for bone-in chicken thighs or chicken breasts as well. Just be sure to adjust your cook time accordingly.
Seasoning
I am including my preferred sweet and spicy dry rub recipe for these boneless skinless chicken thighs. It is a sweet and spicy dry rub that uses swerve brown sugar, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Servings
3
Prep Time
5 Minutes
Calories
160
Cook Time
18 Minutes
Total Time 23 Minutes
*Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate only and may vary depending on the ingredients used. Calories listed are per serving.*
Ingredients:
- 3 4oz – Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Olive oil or Cooking Spray
Chicken Rub:
- 2 TBSP – Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute (or regular brown sugar if you prefer)
- 1 TSP – Cayenne Pepper
- 1 TSP – Smoked Paprika
- 1 TSP – Garlic Powder
- 1 TSP – Salt
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What You Will Need:
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Directions:
Step 1
Mix the seasonings together to create the rub or use your favorite rub if you prefer. Begin preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees.
Step 2
Lay out your boneless skinless chicken thighs on a cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
Step 3
Lightly spray or apply olive oil to the boneless chicken thighs on both sides. Season both sides of your chicken thighs with the rub. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes to allow the rub to bind to the chicken thighs.
Step 4
Add your chicken thighs to the preheated air fryer and cook for 16-18 minutes. Flip once at the halfway point. Remove from air fryer.
Step 5
Serve and Enjoy!
Notes:
- Always check the temperature of your chicken before serving
- The rub recipe will make enough for roughly 3 chicken thighs so if you are making more adjust the ratio accordingly
- Allow your boneless chicken thighs to rest for at least 5 minutes preferably for best results. Letting your chicken rest allows it to continue cooking and hold the juices in, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
FAQ
How Long Do You Cook Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are usually cooked through in about 18 minutes at 400 degrees in an air fryer. If you are using bone-in chicken thighs you will need to increase your cook time by 5-10 minutes. You should always check with an instant-read meat thermometer if possible to be sure your chicken is cooked all the way through.
What Temperature Do I Cook My Boneless Chicken Thighs at?
Air fryer chicken thighs usually cook best between 375 and 400 degrees. Your cooking time will vary depending on what temperature you are cooking your chicken thighs. Always be sure to check for doneness before serving, preferably with a meat thermometer.
Can I Stack My Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?
Stacking your chicken thighs when you air-fry them is a bad idea for a couple of reasons.
When you stack chicken thighs in your air fryer it prevents air from circulating properly, which is how air fryers work. This also causes the chicken to cook unevenly.
Stacking your chicken thighs also prevents the outside of the chicken from getting that crisp texture that you want to see when using an air fryer.
Can I Meal Prep Boneless Chicken Thighs?
Yes! These boneless chicken thighs are a great meal prep option and a great source of protein. Simply cook your boneless chicken thighs ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. If possible reheat your boneless chicken thighs in your air fryer for 5-6 minutes at 375 degrees for best results. Check out more info on meal prep here.
Leftover Chicken Thighs?
Don’t throw out any leftover air fryer chicken thighs. You can store your leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container and reheat chicken thighs to have a quick meal later on in the week. Usually good for 3-4 days in the fridge.
What Should I Serve With Chicken Thighs?
Now that you have the chicken, what are some good side dishes to go with it? Salads, potatoes, pasta, and veggies are all good choices to add to your dish. You can also check out some of our side dishes that pair well with this chicken.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs For In The Air Fryer?
If you’re cooking frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer, you’ll need to adjust your cooking time and cook them for about 25-30 minutes. This will ensure that they’re cooked through and juicy on the inside. Just be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer before serving, to make sure it’s reached a safe temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
I do recommend you thaw your chicken thighs before you put them in the air fryer to allow the rub to adhere to the meat. You will get much better results this way.
Can You Defrost Chicken Thighs In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can defrost chicken thighs in an air fryer! Just place the frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, and cook them on the “defrost” setting (if your air fryer has this setting) for about ten minutes.
Cooking Boneless Chicken Thighs In The Oven?
Yes, you can cook these boneless chicken thighs in your oven. Just preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook boneless chicken thighs for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. You may need to cook them for a bit longer if they’re frozen, so just be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken before serving.
Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe (Quick and Easy Air Fryer Recipe)
Ingredients
- 3 4 OZ Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray
- 2 TBSP Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute or regular brown sugar if you prefer
- 1 TSP Cayenne Pepper
- 1 TSP Smoked Paprika
- 1 TSP Garlic Powder
- 1 TSP Salt
Instructions
- Mix the seasonings together to create the rub or use your favorite rub if you prefer. Begin preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Lay out your boneless skinless chicken thighs on a cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- Lightly spray or apply olive oil to the boneless chicken thighs on both sides. Season both sides of your chicken thighs with the rub. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes to allow the rub to bind to the chicken thighs.
- Add your chicken thighs to the air fryer and cook for 16-18 minutes. Flip once at the halfway point. Remove from air fryer.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Always check the temperature of your chicken before serving
- The rub recipe will make enough for roughly 3 chicken thighs so if you are making more adjust the ratio accordingly
- Allow your boneless chicken thighs to rest for at least 5 minutes preferably for best results.
Nutrition
Summary
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this boneless skinless chicken thigh recipe. If you have any questions or comments go ahead and leave them in the comments below or feel free to email us. What are your favorite chicken recipes? Did this chicken thigh recipe make it into the list of your favorite recipes? Let us know in the comments below. For more awesome recipes check below.
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