These air fryer boneless chicken thighs are flavored with a mixture of lemon, garlic, and oregano for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Ready in just 20 minutes, each bite is loaded with flavor and perfectly juicy!
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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.
- Perfectly cooked every time. Air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs come out moist and juicy on the inside and golden brown on the outside.
- Loads of flavor from simple ingredients. Season with a delicious lemon and garlic mixture similar to the one I use in my lemon garlic sheet pan chicken thighs.
- Easy to customize. Use this recipe for boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer as your starting point, then swap out the seasonings or add a sauce!
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Thighs - I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this air fryer recipe because they cook quickly and are juicy and flavorful. You can also use chicken breasts or bone-in chicken thighs, but you 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 an extra boost.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer - If you don't have a preheat setting, simply set it to 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Mix Oil and Seasonings - Stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Coat the Chicken - Add the chicken thighs to a bowl, pour the lemon garlic mixture over the top, then stir so every piece is well coated.
- Cook the Chicken - Place boneless skinless chicken thighs in air fryer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip the Chicken - Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 5-7 minutes. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when done.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken.
- Avoid overloading your air fryer. If you need to cook a larger portion, it is best to work in batches.
- Use a parchment liner in your air fryer basket or line it with foil to make cleanup quick and easy.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
These air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs are loaded with lemon garlic 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.
Recipe Variations
This boneless skinless chicken thighs air fryer 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.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Once cool, place air fryer boneless chicken thighs in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place leftover boneless skinless chicken thighs in air fryer. Cook for 10 minutes at 350°F or until warmed through, flipping halfway. Smaller portions can be warmed in the microwave.
Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer FAQs
Yes, bone-in chicken thighs can also be cooked in your air fryer. 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.
Instead of cooking boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer, you can prepare this recipe 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.
Technically, you can overcook anything. The benefit of thigh meat is that it won't dry out or become tough as easily as breast meat. In fact, it can often benefit from a higher internal temperature - up to 195°F! This makes it a great choice for no-fuss meals.
More Weeknight Chicken Recipes
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:
📖 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 and cook for 10 minutes.
- 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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