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Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

Air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs with a golden, caramelized exterior and juicy interior in under 20 minutes. This easy weeknight chicken method uses a simple spice rub and quick air frying for crispy edges.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Resting 3 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 5 boneless skinless chicken thighs Use 4–6 thighs for best cooking consistency.
Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil Helps the spices adhere and promotes browning.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
To serve
  • 1 Lemon wedges for serving Serve with the chicken for brightness.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Pat boneless skinless chicken thighs dry, then coat with olive oil so the rub sticks evenly.
  2. In a bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, then rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Air fry
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F so it’s hot and ready to brown immediately.
  2. Air fry the chicken for 8-9 minutes until the surfaces begin to color.
  3. Flip the boneless skinless chicken thighs, then air fry 7-9 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the edges are caramelized.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the chicken for 3 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

For juicier chicken thighs, keep the thickness as even as possible and don’t skip drying the meat—better contact means more caramelized edges. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a lower-sodium option, reduce salt by half and add extra black pepper or a squeeze of lemon to keep flavor bright.