Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. To make air fryer chicken breasts, it's recommended to cook them at 370 degrees f for about 16 minutes, flipping them once. An air fryer chicken breast will need less time than the chicken thighs.

Can I make these without oil?

Yes, but the oil helps the seasonings stick to the chicken. Instead of oil, you can use a quick spray of cooking spray to help prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer.

Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs?

Yes, but the chicken won't be as flavorful and you won't have crispy skin, obviously.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe (Bone-In)

Ingredients

Units Scale

1.25 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4 pieces)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lemon, juiced

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Instructions

Place the chicken in a bowl and pour in the olive oil, garlic powder, and sea salt. Use a spatula so the chicken gets evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
Next, use tongs to place the chicken pieces skin side down in the basket of your air fryer. Set the temperature to 380°F for 12 minutes.
After the first 12 minutes, use tongs to turn the chicken over and set the time for an additional 10-12 minutes. The chicken will be done cooking when the skin is golden brown and crispy and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F.
Use clean tongs to remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer to a serving plate. Slice the lemon and squeeze it over the cooked chicken. Serve hot.

Notes

Feel free to get creative with your seasonings when making Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. If you don’t like garlic, try using an Italian seasoning blend instead. Or, use smoked paprika for a different type of flavoring.
Once the chicken has cooled, you can transfer it to a covered container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Category: Main dish
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
Calories: 147
Sugar: 0.3 g
Sodium: 339.8 mg
Fat: 11.2 g
Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
Carbohydrates: 1.1 g
Fiber: 0.1 g
Protein: 10 g
Cholesterol: 59.1 mg