Air-Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer boneless chicken thighs are a quick and easy meal to make, with most recipes taking under 30 minutes to cook. The chicken thighs are seasoned with a mixture of herbs and spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar, before being cooked in the air fryer. The air fryer is preheated to a high temperature, usually between 380-400 degrees F, and the chicken thighs are placed in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded or overlapping. The chicken thighs are then cooked for around 12-15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, pat your chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Then, combine your seasonings in a small bowl. You can use a mixture of olive oil, mixed herbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Stir the mixture to form a paste. You can also use avocado oil spray instead of olive oil.

Once the air fryer is preheated, lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray or non-aerosol cooking spray. Then, place the chicken thighs smooth-side down in the basket, making sure they are not overlapping or overcrowded.

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel

When preparing boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer, it's important to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking. This step helps to remove any excess moisture from the surface of the chicken, ensuring that the skin will become crispy and golden during cooking. It also helps the seasonings to adhere better to the chicken, resulting in a more flavourful dish.

To pat the chicken dry, simply use a clean paper towel to gently blot the surface of each chicken thigh. Be sure to pat them dry thoroughly, as any remaining moisture can affect the cooking process and the final texture of the chicken. You may need to use more than one paper towel, depending on the amount of chicken you are preparing.

By removing the moisture, you are also reducing the risk of bacteria growth, which is important for food safety. This step helps to ensure that your chicken thighs will not only taste delicious but will also be safe to eat.

Once the chicken thighs are patted dry, you can proceed with the next steps in your recipe, such as seasoning the chicken and preheating your air fryer. Remember to follow food safety guidelines and ensure your chicken is cooked to the appropriate internal temperature before serving.

Season the chicken with olive oil, mixed herbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar

To season the chicken, first pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Then, add the chicken to a bowl with olive oil, mixed herbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. You can also add avocado oil or olive oil spray to the mixture. Use your hands to coat the chicken thighs in the herb and spice mixture. Make sure each piece is well covered.

Coat the chicken in the spice rub

To coat the chicken in the spice rub, first pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Then, add the chicken to a bowl with olive oil, mixed herbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, if you like it spicy. You can also add brown sugar to the mix. Stir in the olive oil to form a paste and coat the chicken thighs evenly with this mixture, ensuring each piece is well covered. Use your hands to rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.

Place the chicken thighs in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping

Once you've prepared your chicken thighs, it's time to place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure the thighs are not overlapping and that they are placed smooth-side down. You should also avoid overcrowding the basket, so don't be tempted to add too many thighs at once.

Before placing the chicken in the basket, it's important to preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 380°F to 400°F. You should also lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray or a non-aerosol cooking spray.

After seasoning the chicken, use your hands to ensure the thighs are evenly coated with the mixture. Then, use tongs to carefully place the chicken thighs in the basket.

Frequently asked questions