Name: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs); 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or olive oil for cooking); 1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground paprika (smoked or regular); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Description

This Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with a perfectly caramelized and crispy exterior. Seasoned with a flavorful blend of paprika, garlic, onion powder, thyme, and light brown sugar, these chicken thighs are quick to prepare and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, making it a convenient and delicious meal option for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1.5-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)

Seasoning

2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or olive oil for cooking)
1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground paprika (smoked or regular)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Prep: Get your ingredients ready so you can move through the recipe quickly and smoothly.
Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place them in a large bowl and toss with oil to help the seasoning stick evenly and promote browning.
Season: In a small bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over each chicken thigh.
Preheat air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). For crisper edges, you can set it to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between pieces. Avoid crowding the basket to prevent steaming and achieve crisp edges. If necessary, cook in batches.
Air fry: Cook the chicken thighs at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and have golden, caramelized edges. When cooking at 400°F, start checking at around 12 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Rest and serve: Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices. Optionally, spoon any collected juices from the air fryer basket over the chicken before serving for extra flavor.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry ensures better browning and crispiness.
Using oil before seasoning helps the spices adhere to the chicken and promotes browning.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; proper spacing is key for crisp edges.
Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it juicy.