These boneless skinless chicken thighs are flavored with a mixture of lemon, garlic, and oregano, then cooked in an air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that's loaded with flavor in just 20 minutes!
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Why this Recipe Works
An air fryer is an excellent option for cooking meals on a busy weeknight. The convection fan circulates the heat and speeds up the cooking process, producing amazing results for a wide variety of different dishes.
This air fryer boneless chicken thigh recipe is a perfect example of why it's a great option. Sure there are other ways to make chicken thighs, but in the air fryer, they come out moist and juicy on the inside and golden brown on the outside. All in just over 15 minutes!
I flavor them with a delicious lemon and garlic mixture similar to the one I use in my lemon garlic sheet pan chicken thighs. They're packed with plenty of delicious flavor the whole family will love!
Ingredient Notes
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
- Chicken Thighs - I use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe because they cook quickly and are juicy and flavorful. You can also use chicken breasts or bone-in chicken thighs but will need to adjust the cooking time.
- Lemon - For the best flavor, I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice and not store-bought lemon juice. You can also add the zest of the lemon for more flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Add the chicken thighs to a bowl and pour the lemon garlic mixture on top, then stir to coat all of the chicken.
- Add the chicken to your air fryer basket. To make cleanup easy I recommend lining the basket with a parchment liner.
- Cook the thighs for 10 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The cooked chicken thighs can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat leftovers in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes, or until warmed through. Smaller portions can be reheated in a microwave.
Yes, bone-in chicken thighs can also be cooked in your air fryer. For bone-in thighs cook at 375°F for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
This recipe can also be prepared in a conventional oven or even a toaster oven. Place the thighs in a baking dish and cook at 400° for 20-25 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Recipe Variations
This recipe uses a classic combination of lemon and garlic. But there are lots of other delicious ways to season your chicken thighs.
- Italian Herb - Lightly coat the thighs with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
- BBQ - Season the chicken with your favorite barbecue rub and cook for 12 minutes. then baste with barbecue sauce and cook for another 3-5 minutes until cooked through.
- Cilantro Lime - For this version prepare using the recipe below, but swap in freshly squeezed lime juice instead of the lemon juice. Leave out the oregano and add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro.
What to Serve with Chicken Thighs
These lemon garlic chicken thighs are loaded with flavor so I like to serve them with simple side dishes like steamed rice and steamed veggies. My herb roasted potatoes, zucchini and squash foil packs, or grilled broccolini are other good choices.
More Weeknight Chicken Dinners
Every home cook knows you can never have enough quick and easy weeknight chicken dinner options up your sleeve. Here are some of my other favorites:
- Grilled Chicken Margherita with Pesto
- Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Honey Bourbon Chicken (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
- Enchiladas with Green Sauce
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (Without Soup!)
- Creamy Chicken Florentine
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Add the chicken thighs to a bowl and pour the lemon garlic mixture on top, then stir to coat all of the chicken.
- Add the chicken to your air fryer basket. To make cleanup easy I recommend lining the basket with a parchment liner.
- Cook the thighs for 10 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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