Published: by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments
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These marinated air-fried boneless chicken thighs are an easy dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Marinate the thighs with soy sauce, honey, and delicious spices, then air-fry for just 20 minutes until tender and juicy.
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If you love these air-fried chicken thighs, then you'll love air fryer buffalo chicken thighs, air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs, and air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love It
- Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- How to Make Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
- Serving Suggestions
- How to Store Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Top Tips
- Marinated Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs FAQs
- More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love It
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes.
- Delicious: The marinade infuses the chicken with amazing flavor.
- Family Favorite: Everyone in your family will love how tender and juicy the chicken is.
Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Boneless chicken thighs: I used 1½ pounds of boneless chicken thighs. You can make more or less, depending on how many people you need to feed.
Marinade: This chicken thigh marinade is made with olive oil, soy sauce, honey, fresh minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. If you don't like any spice, omit the red pepper flakes.
How to Make Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade and Chicken
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 2: Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat each piece evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or longer for more flavor.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
- Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook in batches if needed.
- Step 4: Air fry chicken thighs for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature. (My favorite is the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE.)
Substitutions & Variations
Change the Protein: You can use boneless chicken breasts or even pork chops if you prefer.
Spice it Up: For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
Different Marinades: Try different marinades like teriyaki or lemon herb marinade.
Serving Suggestions
For a delicious dinner, serve with twice-baked mashed potatoes, air-fried broccoli and cauliflower, and Instant Pot rice.
You can also serve it with crispy air fryer gnocchi, air-fried roasted carrots, and Miracle Whip coleslaw.
How to Store Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs
Store: Keep any leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Place cooked chicken thighs in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F or on the REHEAT setting for a few minutes until warmed through.
Top Tips
Marinate Longer for More Flavor: If you have time, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight for even more flavor.
Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
Marinated Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?
Yes, you can, just increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
What if I don't have an air fryer?
You can bake the marinated chicken thighs in the oven at 400°F for 40-45 minutes. Broil for a few minutes if you want extra crispy skin.
Can I use a different marinade?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite homemade or store-bought marinade.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks: These crispy chicken legs are seasoned with a dry rub and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
Air-Fried Chicken Wings: Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these air-fried chicken wings are perfect for game day or a quick dinner.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon: Marinated in a flavorful teriyaki sauce, salmon fillets are cooked until tender and juicy.
Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts: Perfectly cooked thin chicken breasts in the air fryer are seasoned to perfection and ready in minutes. They are perfect for a quick salad, sandwich, or main dish.
📖 Recipe
Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
These marinated air-fried boneless chicken thighs are an easy dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Marinate the thighs with soy sauce, honey, and delicious spices, then air-fry for just 20 minutes until tender and juicy.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Marinating Time30 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr
Course: All Recipes, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 521kcal
Author: Jeri Walker
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Add the chicken thighs and toss to ensure each piece is well-coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or longer for more flavor.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fryer chicken thighs for 18-20 minutes at 380℉, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Recipe Notes:
- For the best flavor, marinate the chicken thighs for several hours up to overnight.
- Use chicken in salads, sandwiches, or wraps for easy meals throughout the week.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 928mg | Potassium: 403mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is a food writer with bylines on MSN. In 2021, she founded windingcreekranch.org to share her favorite recipes, perfected over 40 years of cooking. Jeri specializes in easy, family-friendly recipes using simple ingredients anyone can make. Whether you need a quick recipe for busy weeknights or something special for weekend BBQs, she has a variety of options. She loves coffee, flipping through cookbooks, kayaking, and hiking with her Saint Bernard.
www.windingcreekranch.org/about-me/
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