The Best Air Fried Skinless Chicken Thighs
These air-fried skinless chicken thighs are crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. In under 30 minutes, you can have juicy, crispy chicken packed with flavor.
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Servings: 4 thighs
Ingredients
Marinade for the chicken
- 4 chicken thighs, skinless and bone-in
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For garlic cream sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic or garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoon coconut milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix tomato paste, lemon juice, vegetable oil, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Make a few slits in the chicken thighs to help the marinade absorb.
- Rub the marinade all over the chicken thighs, making sure it gets into the slits.
- Let it sit for at least 20 minutes to marinate.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Make the Garlic Cream Sauce:
- In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic paste or minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in paprika, then pour in the coconut milk (or heavy cream).
- Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Brush the garlic cream sauce over the chicken and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes for extra flavor. While the sauce is already cooked, this step adds a nice finish, but you can skip it if you prefer.
Notes
- For the best results, use bone-in chicken pieces such as drumsticks, bone-in thighs or cut-up leg quarters. If you prefer boneless skinless chicken thighs, reduce the baking time to approximately 7-10 minutes.