Boneless chicken thighs are marinated for maximum flavor and then quickly cooked in your air fryer. You will love that the chicken is so juicy on the inside and lightly crisped on the outside.
Why this recipe is just so good....
- The marinade adds so much flavor and also tenderizes the chicken. You can leave the chicken in the marinade for 1-8 hours.
- The air fryer is a terrific hands-off way to get dinner on the table so quickly. While the chicken is cooking, you can make the side dishes. Dinner can be ready in about 30 minutes!
- Chicken is a great choice for high protein meals. And with the sugar free options for the marinade, this recipe can be low carb and keto friendly.
- If you're looking for more easy recipes to get dinner on the table quickly, try another air fryer favorite. Tuna steaks, Chicken sausages with onions and Turkey burgers are all ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the protein used in this recipe. You can use bone in thighs, they will just take a bit longer to cook in the air fryer.
Soy sauce, balsamic vinaigrette, ketchup, sugar, sriracha and some seasonings are used to make a basic chicken marinade. Taste the marinade before you add the chicken and to see if you want it spicier or a bit sweeter.
Some sugar free options:
I prefer to use sugar substitutes in my marinades. The Monkfruit is measured 1:1 for sugar. You can also use the Pyure brand substitute for honey. It adds some sweetness to the marinade without sugar.
I also use sugar free ketchup, but you may use regular ketchup. Neither choice will affect the taste of the marinade, just the carb amount in the recipe.
How to Air Fry Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl or plastic storage bag. You can give it a quick taste test before you put the chicken in the marinade. Place thighs in the marinade and let them sit for 1-8 hours covered in the refrigerator.
- When ready to cook, drain and discard marinade. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Pat thighs dry and place them in the fryer in a single layer. If you have more than will fit, do a second batch, rather than putting them on top of each other.
- Air fry for 8 minutes. Use tongs to turn over and cook another 8 minutes. Test the chicken with a meat thermometer. If they register 165°F., they are done. If not fry another few minutes. Test again.
FAQ
The USDA states that you can marinate poultry for up to 2 days. However, most marinades have some type of vinegar in them. While this helps to tenderize the meat, I have always found that about 8 hours is maximum amount of time for chicken. After that, it begins to break down and get a bit stringy.
Yes, you should turn the chicken thighs over halfway through cooking. This will ensure even cooking and browning.
I love the idea of a protein, grain and vegetable in every dinner. But since I try to stay low carb I will make rice or farro for my husband and cauliflower rice for me. We love so many different types of vegetables and some of our favorites are: Marinated Asparagus, Fried Turnips or Grilled Beets. They all cook on your stovetop or grill fairly quickly.
Cooking Tips
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towel.
- Place the thighs in a single layer. My air fryer is a Philips XXL and I was able to fit 6 large thighs knowing they would shrink a bit as they air fry. If you are cooking more or have a smaller air fryer, then cook the chicken in two batches.
- Try not to use a fork to turn the chicken to preserve the juices. Use tongs or a spatula to flip the chicken.
If you tried and enjoyed this recipe, I'd love if you gave it a 5 star rating. This tells me what you like and want to see more of. Thank you!
Here are more chicken recipes to try!
Air Fryer Marinated Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Marinate: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Boneless chicken thighs are marinated for maximum flavor and then quickly cooked in your air fryer. You will love that the chicken is so juicy on the inside and lightly crisped on the outside.
Ingredients
Marinade
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup sugar or sugar substitute
- ¼ cup balsamic dressing
- 1 teaspoon general chicken seasoning ( combination of onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, regular or sugar free
- 2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (6 thighs in this recipe)
Instructions
- Stir together the ingredients for the marinade.
- Pour into a plastic storage bag or glass bowl.
- Add the chicken, refrigerate covered, and marinate for 1-8 hours.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Drain marinade from chicken thighs and pat dry.
- Place thighs in basket without overlapping.
- Air fry for 8 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs and fry for another 7-8 minutes.
- Test with meat thermometer. If it registers 165°F, it is done. If not, cook another 5 minutes or as needed.
Notes
* If you don't have a general, all purpose seasoning, mix up a blend of available spices. You can use onion powder, paprika, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.
*To lessen some cleanup, line the air fryer basket with paper liners specifically made for air fryers. They have holes perforated in them and are used in the basket after the fryer has been preheated, as per instructions.
*Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in 375°F oven for 10 minutes or until hot. Or air fry for 5 minutes, until hot.
Keywords: quick dinner, air fryer, low carb, healthy meal
Eden says
Loved this recipe. I added red pepper instead of sraicha. Really tasty.
★★★★★
Deb Belsha says
Oh, glad you liked the recipe. If it was up to my husband, I would put double the sriracha AND red pepper flakes!