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Air fryer chicken thighs with coleslaw and rice on a plate
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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs {Bone-In or Boneless}

These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are so crispy and juicy, seasoned with lemon pepper and paprika, and served with rice and coleslaw.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 586kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs or 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs of either type)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper optional
  • Salt, to taste

Optional rice side dish

  • 1 cup white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp butter
  • 1 pinch salt

Optional coleslaw side dish

  • 1 (16 oz) bag coleslaw
  • 3 tbsp vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

Bone-in, skin on chicken thighs

  • Preheat air fryer to 375 F for 5 minutes. Mix together spice blend in a small bowl. Spread chicken thighs with spice blend, season with salt, then add to air fryer and cook skin-side down for 13 minutes. Remove the fryer basket, then flip thighs, cooking for another 7-9 minutes depending on the size of your thighs. The internal temperature should reach 165 F.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • Preheat air fryer to 375 F for 5 minutes. Mix together spice blend in a small bowl. Spread chicken thighs with spice blend, season with salt, then add to air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. Remove the fryer basket, then flip thighs, cooking for another 8-10 minutes depending on the size of your thighs. The internal temperature should reach 165 F.

Optional side dishes

  • While thighs are cooking, add rice, water, butter and salt to a rice cooker or pot on the stove. Cook until the liquid has absorbed.
  • While rice and thighs are cooking, toss ingredients together under the coleslaw heading in a large bowl.

Notes

Nutritional info is for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and both sides.
Make sure to cook the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer.
Serve with a side of rice, coleslaw or your other favourite side dish.
Store any leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or the microwave.
Freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge then reheat.

Nutrition

Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 458mg | Potassium: 581mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 677IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2mg