Boneless Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Name: Boneless Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
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)

by Katerina

4.19 from 11 votes

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!

Cooked chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.

Say hi to your new favorite weeknight dinner—Air Fryer boneless chicken thighs with the most delicious sweet and savory Asian-inspired glaze! They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and come together fast with zero fuss. Perfect for those busy nights when you want something really good but don’t feel like babysitting a skillet.

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 one’s definitely going into the summer rotation, right alongside a pile of rice and air fryer corn on the cob!

Boneless air fryer chicken thighs cut up and served on a plate with rice.

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 full of flavor. You can use boneless chicken breasts instead, but they’ll cook a little quicker—so keep an eye on them!
Low sodium soy sauce: This brings the salty, umami base to the marinade without going overboard on the sodium. You can swap it with tamari for a gluten-free option or use regular soy sauce—just dial down the salt elsewhere.
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. It adds bold, savory flavor and makes the whole dish pop. Garlic paste or garlic powder can be used if fresh is not available.
Ketchup: A little ketchup adds tang, color, and depth to the marinade—it’s subtle, but it ties everything together. If you’re out, tomato paste with a splash of vinegar and sugar will get you close.
Chopped fresh parsley: You can use dried parsley (just a smaller amount), or sub in fresh cilantro for a little twist.
Dried oregano: Italian seasoning or dried thyme will also do the trick.
Sesame seeds (optional): These are just for fun and 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.

Raw chicken thighs marinating in honey soy sauce.

Boneless raw chicken thighs in an air fryer.

How to Cook Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

These Asian-glazed chicken thighs are both easy to make and tasty. 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.

Cut-up cooked chicken thighs served over rice.

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 the 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 boneless air fryer chicken thighs 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.

Top view of two glazed chicken thighs topped with sesame seeds and green onions, and served over white rice.

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.

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4.19 from 11 votes