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overhead view of air fryer boneless chicken thighs in air fryer basket
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

These air fryer boneless chicken thighs come out juicy, caramelized, and perfectly seasoned—no marinating, no fancy steps. Just toss in oil, rub with a simple spice blend, and air fry to crispy-edged perfection. A weeknight staple that actually tastes like a win!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Resting5 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 273kcal
Author: Nora from Savory Nothings

Ingredients

  • 1.5-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
  • 2 tablespoons oil vegetable or olive oil for cooking
  • ½ tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika smoked or regular
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Prep:
    Get your ingredients ready.
    overhead view of ingredients to make air fryer chicken thighs
  • Prep the chicken:
    Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl and toss with oil.
    Note: Starting with oil helps the seasoning coat evenly and promotes browning.
    1.5-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons oil
    overhead view of oiled chicken thighs in glass bowl
  • Season:
    In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar and all spices. Rub evenly over chicken thighs.
    ½ tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    overhead view of oiled chicken thighs in glass bowl tossed with seasoning mix
  • Preheat air fryer:
    Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (use 400°F for crispier edges). Arrange chicken in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between pieces.
    Note: Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Space is what gives you crisp edges instead of steamed chicken. Air fry in batches if needed.
    overhead view of seasoned chicken thighs in air fryer
  • Air fry:
    Air fry for 12–15 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and edges are golden and caramelized.

    Note: If cooking at 400°F, check closer to the 12-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
    overhead view of cooked chicken thighs in air fryer
  • Rest and serve:
    Let chicken rest for 3–5 minutes before slicing or serving. Spoon any juices from the basket over the top for extra flavor.
    Close up of air fried boneless chicken thighs.

Notes

  • Letting the chicken sit out for 10–15 minutes before cooking helps it cook more evenly. It doesn’t have to be perfect — just not fridge-cold.
  • Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Space is what gives you crisp edges instead of steamed chicken.
  • Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until steaming hot all the way through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 18g