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These delicious Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are tender and juicy and come together in about 20 minutes. They’re made with boneless skinless chicken thighs, a little extra-virgin olive oil and a few simple seasonings. Our air fryer boneless chicken thighs are SO good and they are so simple to make!!

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs on a plate with lemon wedges/

Cooking air fryer boneless chicken thighs is one of our favorite go-to chicken recipes. It’s quick and easy to make and my family loves it! 

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy. This air fryer chicken is quick and easy to make with little fuss and minimal clean up.
  • Flavor. These Italian baked chicken thighs are marinated in Italian salad dressing so they have a really great flavor. 
  • Budget Friendly. We use chicken thighs for this recipe which are less expensive than chicken breast

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe Ingredients

Boneless skinless chicken thighs on a plate next to a dish of seasoning.

  • Chicken Thighs. We use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe.
  • Olive Oil. The thighs are tossed with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer. You can sub-out the olive oil for avocado oil if you like.
  • Seasoning. We use a simple mix of smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Fresh Lemon Drizzle. We like to pour a seasoned lemon olive oil drizzle over the thighs on a serving platter. It adds a lot of flavor and makes the air fryer chicken extra special. It’s really tasty if you serve this chicken over basmati rice and drizzle the lemon olive oil over the chicken so it seeps into the rice. The drizzle is SO delicious! It’s optional, but highly recommended! Or jus serve with lemon wedges if you like.
  • Garnish. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley if you like.

Find printable recipe with the measurements below.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with olive oil and seasoning in a clear glass mixing bowl.

How To Cook Boneless Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

  1. Preheat Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F 
  2. Pat Chicken Thighs Dry. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to eliminate some of the moisture on the thighs. 
  3. Toss Thighs With Seasoning. Put the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Pour the olive and seasoning over the chicken thighs. Using your hands, toss the thighs in the oil and seasoning so they are all evenly coated.
  4. Air Fry Chicken Thighs. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket. Put the air fryer basket in the air fryer and air fry for 7-10 minutes (depending on how big your thighs are). Remove the basket, and using tongs flip the chicken thighs and place back into the air fryer. Air fry for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to 180°F on a digital meat thermometer.
  5. Prepare Lemon Olive Oil Drizzle. Add the ingredients to a mason jar, seal the lid and shake well.
  6. Serve. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle the seasoned lemon juice and olive oil over the chicken and garnish with finely chopped parsley if you like. 

How Long To Cook Boneless Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

Depending on the size of the boneless skinless chicken thighs, it takes between 15 to 20 minutes for them to cook in an air fryer. The chicken thighs should be turned over midway through cooking. 

What Is The Best Internal Temperature For Boneless Chicken Thighs?

For best results, cook chicken thighs until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to 180°F on a digital meat thermometer at the thickest part of the chicken.

Seasoned boneless skinless chicken thighs in air fryer basket for air fryer chicken.

Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

  • Make sure to pat the chicken good and dry before tossing with the olive oil and seasoning. This will help the dry rub and sauce stick to the thighs better. 
  • Be sure to turn the chicken thighs over after 7-10 minutes. 
  • Make sure the internal temperature at the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F to 180°F on a digital meat thermometer.
  • Set a timer to remind you to turn the chicken over. And set it again so it won’t get overcooked.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs on a plate with lemon wedges.

How To Serve Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

These air fryer chicken thighs are great to add to salads, tacos, burritos, wraps and bowls. Just chop or slice them first.  Or serve them as a main with a salad, like our Romaine Salad, Everyday Mediterranean Salad, Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad, Tomato and Onion Salad, Garden Salad, Greek Orzo Pasta Salad, Simple Kale Salad, or our Lemon Arugula Salad, or a vegetable side dish, like our Sauteed Vegetables, Steamed Broccoli, Peas and Carrots, Oven Roasted Carrots, Boursin Mashed Potatoes or our Skillet Haricot Verts. 

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs on a plate with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

More Chicken Dinner Recipes

Yield: 6 Servings

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

These delicious Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are tender and juicy and come together in about 20 minutes. They are made with boneless skinless chicken thighs, a little extra-virgin olive oil and a few simple seasonings. Our air fryer boneless chicken thighs  are SO good and they are so simple to make!!

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For Lemon Olive Oil Drizzle

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 2 small lemons
  • 1 /2 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F 
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to eliminate some of the moisture on the thighs. 
  3. Transfer the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Pour the 2 tablespoons olive and the seasoning over the chicken thighs. Using your hands, toss the thighs in the oil and seasoning so they are all evenly coated.
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer spaced apart a bit. Put the air fryer basket in the air fryer and cook for 7-10 minutes (depending on how big your thighs are). Remove the basket, and using tongs flip the chicken thighs and place back into the air fryer. Air fry for another 5-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to 180°F on a digital meat thermometer.
  5. While the chicken is cooking, add the ingredients for the lemon olive oil drizzle to a mason jar, seal the lid and shake well.
  6. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle the seasoned lemon juice and olive oil over the chicken and garnish with finely chopped parsley if you like. 

Notes

Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

  • Make sure to pat the chicken good and dry before tossing with the olive oil and seasoning. This will help the dry rub and sauce stick to the thighs better. 
  • Be sure to turn the chicken thighs over after 7-10 minutes. 
  • Make sure the internal temperature at the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F to 180°F on a digital meat thermometer.
  • Set a timer to remind you to turn the chicken over. And set it again so it won't get overcooked.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 379mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 27g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.

© Deborah Duncan
Cuisine: American / Category: Dinner