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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 the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl and toss with oil.
    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 the spices. Rub all 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 to 375°F (or 400°F for crispier edges). Arrange chicken in a single layer in the basket with space in between. If needed, cook in batches.
    overhead view of seasoned chicken thighs in air fryer
  • Cook: Air fry for 12–15 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and edges are golden and caramelized.
Tip: At 400°F, check for doneness closer to the 12-minute mark to prevent 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.

Notes

  • Try to remove the chicken from the fridge just a little before cooking - 10-15 minutes is good enough for me on a weeknight! This helps the chicken cook more evenly.
  • Use oil first: Tossing the chicken in oil helps the seasoning stick better and cook more evenly.
  • Don’t overcrowd the basket: Air fry in a single layer so the edges get crispy instead of steaming.
  • Brown sugar = golden edges: Just a little adds the perfect caramelized finish.
  • Rest before serving: Let the chicken sit for 3–5 minutes after air frying to lock in the juices.

Nutrition

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