Chicken · American

Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs No Oil

Name: Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs No Oil
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 24 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs, fresh or fully thawed; 6 g fine salt; 5 g smoked paprika; 3 g garlic powder; 3 g onion powder; 2 g dried oregano; 1 g black pepper; 1 g cayenne pepper or chilli powder, optional

Air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs no oil cook juicy and browned with pantry spices, no breading, and a 74°C thermometer check.

Easy 24 min Gluten-free Dairy-free High-protein Low-carb

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These no-oil, no-breading boneless skinless chicken thighs are designed for weeknights: dry the surface well, season boldly, cook in a roomy basket, and use a thermometer for reliable juicy results.

Ingredients

4 serv.

Instructions

Air fryer:193°C / 379°F

Preheat the air fryer to 193°C/380°F for 3 minutes. Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels so they brown instead of steam.
Trim any large loose pieces of fat if desired. Open up folded thighs and lightly flatten uneven spots so each piece is a similar thickness.
Mix the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and optional cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle over all sides of the chicken and rub the seasoning in; no oil is needed.
Arrange the thighs in a single layer with space between pieces. Cook in batches if your basket is crowded, because overlapping slows browning and changes the timing.
Air fry at 193°C/380°F for 8 minutes. Flip the thighs, then air fry for 5–8 minutes more, depending on size.
Check the thickest part of each thigh with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is safe when every piece reaches at least 74°C/165°F; add 1–3 minutes if needed and check again.
Rest the chicken for 3–5 minutes before slicing or serving. Do not rely on colour or juices alone for doneness.

Tips & tricks

How long to air fry boneless skinless chicken thighs: small flattened thighs usually take 12–14 minutes, medium thighs 14–16 minutes, and large or folded thighs 17–20 minutes at 193°C/380°F.
For air fryer chicken thighs at 380°F, start checking early if your pieces are thin or your air fryer runs hot.
This recipe is for fresh or fully thawed chicken thighs, not frozen thighs.
For meal prep, cool cooked thighs promptly and refrigerate in a covered container. Reheat in the air fryer at 175°C/350°F for 3–5 minutes, until hot throughout.
If seasoning begins to darken before the chicken reaches 74°C/165°F, lower the air fryer to 180°C/356°F and continue cooking.