Marinated Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
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Marinated Chicken Thighs in the air fryer are the perfect dinner! They are extremely juicy with that crispy skin – which holds in all that delicious flavor from the Italian marinade.
What You Will Love About Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
There’s so much to love! Chicken thighs are completely my favorite cut of chicken.
- Flavor Punch – I find bone-in thighs so much better than anything else – the bone really adds so much flavor when cooking the meat.
- Quick – In the air fryer, these thighs are done in 20 minutes!
- Meal Prep – This recipe is great for meal prep – you can make these protein filled chicken breasts up on a weekend and have them all week!
Best Air Fryer Accessories
Here’s my ultimate list of best air fryer accessories – whether you have a basket- or oven-style! I’ve also included a price guide as well as my favorite recipes for those accessories.
Marinated Chicken Thigh Ingredients
You only need two ingredients to have air fryer chicken perfection! I like to use an Italian dressing for the marinade – but as I’ve said before – use what you have – use what you love!
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs but be sure to cook them for less time. They’ll probably only take 5-10 minutes MAX!
- You could also use chicken drumsticks or chicken wings for this recipe! Drumsticks will take the same time, wings maybe a little less.
- Chicken Breasts can be done this way as well – here’s a recipe for air fryer chicken breast!
- 1 cup Italian dressing – the link goes to my recipe for Olive Garden Italian dressing – which is made completely of pantry staples – but you can use any marinade mix or pre-made salad dressing you have.
- If you like something spicy – this Chipotle Marinade is awesome!
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How to Make Marinated Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
This is such a simple recipe! The only prep time is marinating the chicken overnight. Other than that – pop in the air fryer and go! Plus – if you’re only making two – you have room to make a side in the air fryer too!
- Trim and rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towel. Place thighs in a plastic zipper bag or a large bowl
- Add in Italian dressing and seal bag. Marinate over night in the refrigerator.
- Remove chicken thighs from marinade and shake off excess. Place chicken thighs in a single layer in air fryer basket.
- My air fryer easily fits four bone-in chicken thighs. If you have a smaller one but want to cook for – you can cook them in batches.
- Cook chicken thighs at 380º skin side down for 5 min
- Flip and air fry at 380º for 15 min. Test internal temperature with an instant read meat thermometer and it should read 165º.
- Remove cooked chicken and let rest for 5 minutes.
Tips, Tricks & FAQs
Of course!!! I see some people cooking a chicken breast for 30 minutes – good Lord – hockey puck heaven! I always say – you can add more time to your food but you can’t UNBURN something. So always lean towards less time – then check your meat with an instant read thermometer – and go from there.
Chicken should always be cooked to 165ºF. For bone-in chicken – I cook to 165º but for boneless, skinless – I’ll cook to 160º and let it rest. The chicken will be juicier and come up to temp in just a few minutes of resting time.
I would only preheat if your air fryer forces it. I have two air fryers – my oven style does require preheating. My basket-style does not and I have never preheated it. Everything comes out fine!
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate up to a week or put in the freezer for up to a month. Reheat in the air fryer at 250º for for 5 minutes.
Variations
- Marinade – swap it out for a citrus-y marinade or a spicy marinade
- Or make your own marinade – this Chicken Kabob Marinade is my new fav!
- Seasoning Rub – don’t want to marinate overnight, just use a rub like this Smokey Bacon from Sure Shot Sid’s
- Spices – Don’t have a rub or marinade? Mix your own with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and rosemary or paprika. I wouldn’t use both as they’re competing flavors. If you choose rosemary, squeeze a little lemon juice over the finished product for an extra fresh zing! This would also work if you’re on a keto/low-carb diet!
- Vegetables – Add sliced onions and peppers tossed in olive oil, salt & pepper to the air fryer for the last 10 minutes! Then serve over rice with your chicken.
Side Dishes to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe
These chicken thighs are a great main course – but we need some yummy sides!
More Chicken Thigh Recipes
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Marinated Chicken Thighs in the air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing
Instructions
- Trim and rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towel. Place thighs in a plastic zipper bag or a large bowl4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 1 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing
- Add in Italian dressing and seal bag. Marinate over night in the refrigerator.
- Remove chicken thighs from marinade and shake off excess. Place chicken thighs in a single layer in air fryer basket. My air fryer easily fits four bone-in chicken thighs. If you have a smaller one but want to cook for – you can cook them in batches.
- Air fry at 380º skin side down for 5 min
- Flip and air fry at 380º for 15 min. Test internal temperature with an instant read meat thermometer and it should read 165º.
- Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes.
