Crispy Boneless Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
May 20, 2020, Updated Apr 03, 2025
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These boneless Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. They’re smothered with a sweet Asian glaze and then topped with crunchy sesame seeds and green onions. It’s the perfect quick and easy Asian-inspired chicken recipe!
5 Star Review
“I love how crispy these air fried chicken thighs come out! The air fryer is my new best friend and I can’t wait to try these!” – Deseree
These juicy boneless chicken thighs are cooked in the air fryer until crispy, then brushed with a sweet Asian-inspired glaze. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a meal prep option, or an easy way to cook chicken thighs without using the stove, this air fryer recipe should become your go-to!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I LOVE my air fryer. I honestly don’t know how I managed without it. And now that warmer days are creeping in, I’ll be using it even more. No hot stove, no heating up the whole house. Just juicy, crispy dinners on repeat. This air fryer boneless chicken recipe is a spin on my spicy, sweet, and sticky chicken recipe, and it’s definitely going into the summer rotation, right alongside a pile of kimchi fried rice and air fryer corn on the cob!
Why I Love the Air Fryer for Chicken Thighs
Compared to oven-baked or pan-fried chicken, the air fryer gives you crispy edges in less time. No flipping, no splattering of oil, no babysitting a skillet, and way less cleanup. If you’ve only used your air fryer for frozen foods, this recipe is the perfect way to break it in for weeknight meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This air fried chicken recipe has all of the Asian flavors you love, and if you cook in this style often, you’ll likely have everything on hand.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: I love using chicken thighs here because they stay juicy, tender, and flavorful. You can use boneless chicken breasts instead, but they’ll cook a little quicker.
- Low sodium soy sauce: This adds a salty base to the marinade. You can swap it with tamari for a gluten-free option or use regular soy sauce.
- Honey: Adds a sticky sweetness to balance out the savory soy. Maple syrup or brown sugar would work in a pinch.
- Garlic: You know I never skip the garlic. Garlic paste or garlic powder can be used as an alternative if fresh garlic is not available.
- Ketchup: A little ketchup adds tang, color, and it ties everything together. If you’re out, a combination of tomato paste, vinegar, and sugar will work.
- Chopped fresh parsley: You can use dried parsley or sub in fresh cilantro.
- Dried oregano: Italian seasoning or dried thyme are also okay to use.
- Sesame seeds (optional): These add a little crunch! Or try chopped peanuts or cashews instead.
- Chopped green onions (optional): A bright, fresh finish that adds color and a mild bite. You can skip them, or use chives if you have those on hand.
How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
Boneless skinless chicken thighs should be cooked at 400˚F for 8 minutes; flip over the chicken thighs and cook for 6 more minutes or until cooked through.
Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs should be cooked at 400˚F for 8 minutes; flip over the chicken thighs and continue to cook for 8 to 10 more minutes or until cooked to an internal temperature of 165˚F.
Recipe Tips
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating your air fryer before adding the chicken can help achieve a crispy and well-cooked result.
- Give them space: For even cooking and that crispy finish, the chicken thighs shouldn’t be touching in the air fryer basket. I usually cook them in batches—my air fryer fits about four boneless thighs comfortably without any overlap.
- Use a meat thermometer: If you’re new to the air fryer and you’re not 100% sure the chicken is cooked through, use an instant read meat thermometer to make sure the chicken’s internal temperature registers at 165˚F.
- Flip Halfway Through: For an even crisp, flip these air fryer Asian chicken thighs halfway through the cooking time.
- Rest Before Cutting: Allow your chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, making it more flavorful and moist.
- Use a different marinade: You could use this same technique with a different marinade or glaze. I’m thinking of an Italian theme, curry, or BBQ.
Serving Suggestions
I absolutely love these crispy chicken thighs in air fryer served over Jasmine rice, or use cauliflower rice if you’re a low-carb pal. If you’re feeling fancy, try it with a fried rice recipe. On the side, I suggest my delicious broccolini, string beans, or these snap peas. They all go great with Asian flavors. I’d even add the sauce right over the veggies, too.
If you love this chicken but don’t want to go for a full-on Asian feast, you could serve roasted potatoes or smashed potatoes on the side instead of rice.
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Boneless Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 8 boneless, skinless, chicken thighs
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
- chopped green onions, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Make the marinade. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, garlic, ketchup, parsley, and oregano; whisk until completely incorporated. Reserve 1/4-cup of the marinade in a small bowl and set aside for later. Pour the remaining marinade into a large bowl.
- Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken to the marinade; cover and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Refrigerate the chicken if you are not planning to cook it within 2 hours.
- Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F.
- Cook. Remove the chicken from the marinade and transfer 4 chicken thighs to the air fryer; you’ll have to cook in batches. Cook for 8 minutes; flip the chicken over and continue to cook for 6 more minutes. Remove and set aside. Continue with the rest of the chicken.
- Thicken the sauce. In the meantime, pour the reserved sauce into a small pan or pot and cook over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes or until it thickens and is slightly reduced.
- Finish and serve. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer to a plate. Brush the warm glaze over the chicken thighs. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve.
Equipment
Notes
- Avoid Overcrowding: Give the chicken thighs ample space in the air fryer for even cooking and crispiness.
- Use a Thermometer: Check the chicken doneness with a meat thermometer – chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Marinate/Season: Maximize flavor by marinating for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat: Start with a preheated air fryer for optimal crispness.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs
These Asian-glazed, crispy chicken thighs in the air fryer are both easy to make and delicious. They’re juicy on the inside with a light crisp on the outside, coated in a savory glaze, and finished with sesame seeds and green onions.
First Marinate The Chicken
To marinate the chicken thighs, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ketchup, parsley, and oregano in a bowl. Set aside 1/4 cup of the marinade to use later as a glaze. Add the chicken to the remaining marinade, making sure it’s well coated. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor—just be sure to refrigerate it if marinating longer than 2 hours.
- Prep: Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F.
- Cook: Remove the chicken from the marinade and transfer the chicken thighs to the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes. Then, flip the chicken over and continue to cook it for 6 more minutes.
- Add the sauce: In the meantime, pour the reserved sauce in a small pan or pot and cook it over medium low heat for about 2 minutes or until it thickens and it’s slightly reduced.
- Finish and serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate. Brush the reserved sauce over the chicken thighs, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- To store your leftover chicken thighs, place them in an airtight container and pour the glaze over them. This will keep the chicken from drying out. Then, you can store them in your fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- If you choose to freeze them, just make sure your airtight container is freezer safe and store them in the freezer for about 3 months.
- To reheat, simply place the chicken and sauce on a baking sheet and heat in the oven until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just note that chicken breasts cook a bit faster, so check for doneness around the 12-minute mark.
Almost. To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your ketchup is also gluten-free.
Absolutely! Bake at 425˚F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to confirm an internal temp of 165˚F.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Crispy Chicken
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
I’m making these today. Sounds delicious! I have bone in thighs so I assume I should cook a little longer.
This glaze seems like it would be good on pork chops or pork loin also. Going to try next time!
Hi! Yes, this is great with bone-in thighs. It’s juicier. 😉 You can air fry them at 400˚F for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs over and continue to cook for 8 to 10 more minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165˚F.
Marinating works better if you put the chicken and marinade in a gallon plastic bag. Squeeze the air out before sealing. In a bowl most of the marinating occurs below the “water line” and is uneven if you don’t turn the chicken frequently. In a bag with no air, it’s all chicken and marinade in contact with each other.
My ninja air fryer completely charred the chicken and it couldn’t be eaten. Prepped and cooked as instructed. Bummed.
I first got the air-fryer that is a drawer; I loved it so much I needed to get bigger, and bought the 12qt GoWISE AF oven this past summer. 2 months ago, I put away the toaster oven and use the air-fryer oven in conjunction with the microwave every day, all day. I only use the big built in oven/range for things that don’t fit in the air-fryer; and not very often at all. I amended this recipe a little to make, Asian Orange Chicken using an Asian Orange Sauce I got on Amazon. thank you for this recipe, it is amazing. I have also printed out several other of your recipes, and will be back to check out more. I CAN NOT EMPHASISE ENOUGH HOW AWSOME AIR-FRYER ARE… NO KITCHEN SHOULD EVER BE WITHOUT ONE. Oh ya, GoWise, a great machine, at Amazon are the best prices I have been able to find, so far.
Thank you so much for your amazing recipes. I will be back.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Could bbq sauce be replaced instead of ketchup? Thank you !
Sure! That’d be delicious. 😊