Description
Crispy Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs recipe! Marinated in a flavorful blend of herbs, spices, and citrus, these juicy chicken thighs are coated in a crunchy exterior that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. With the magic of the air fryer, you’ll achieve perfectly crispy chicken thighs without the need for excess oil or frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (or lemon zest)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry: Remove the chicken thighs from packaging and use paper towels to thoroughly pat each piece dry on both sides, including under any flaps of skin.
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, cumin, salt, pepper, citrus juice, and zest until fully combined. Set aside 2 tablespoons in a small bowl for later use.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the patted-dry chicken thighs to the bowl and turn each piece to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or 2–4 hours for best results.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Rest at room temperature: Let the chicken sit for 10 minutes before cooking to ensure even temperature.
- Arrange skin side down: Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down, leaving space between each piece.
- Air fry at 400°F: Cook skin side down for the first 10 minutes.
- Flip and cook: Flip the thighs skin side up and continue cooking for 10–14 more minutes until crispy.
- Check the temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Baste and rest: Remove from the air fryer, brush with the reserved marinade, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure you pat the chicken dry thoroughly to achieve maximum crispiness. Do not exceed 24 hours of marination to keep the meat texture optimal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh
- Calories: 281 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 845 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg