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    Home » Air Fryer Keto Recipes » Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - Low Carb, Keto

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - Low Carb, Keto

    Published: Mar 11, 2022 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Mar 10, 2022 · 1112 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two photos of air fryer chicken thighs with the text Air Fryer Chicken Thighs in the middle.

    These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are the ultimate easy weeknight recipe! With a punchy marinade that has just a handful of ingredients, this simple dish will keep your tastebuds singing. Chicken with a perfectly crispy crust and a tender interior is always a winner!

    Overhead photo of a plate of air fryer chicken thighs.

    Like crispy chicken?

    Once you air fry chicken, you may never want to make it any other way!

    These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are seriously delicious and take less than ten minutes of hands-on time. 

    It is the perfect easy family dinner that the whole family will love even if they aren't watching their carbohydrates.

    This is a great recipe I think you will make again and again.

    Ingredients for Making Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

    Overhead photo of a plate of chicken, a bowl of lemon juice, mustard, and mayo, oil, salt, and pepper.
    • Mayonnaise: Make sure you choose a sugar-free version.
    • Avocado Oil: Use your favorite keto-friendly oil, being conscious of the smoke point. Olive oil is fine, but I do not recommend extra virgin olive oil.
    • Mustard: Spicy brown or dijon mustard both work.
    • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best. Omit if you wish to marinate for longer than four hours, as the acid can start to "cook" the chicken.
    • Seasonings: I used a blend of thyme, salt, and pepper in my spice mix, but feel free to play with this and make it your own. Both smoked paprika and garlic powder made great additions.
    • Chicken: Use bone-in skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. If you use another cut, like chicken breast, make sure you are using an instant-read thermometer so that you cook the chicken for the appropriate amount of time.

    Top Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Thighs

    • For perfectly crispy chicken, make sure you spray both sides with oil. I use avocado oil.
    • Let the excess marinade drip off before cooking to avoid a big mess in your air fryer.
    • Make sure that you flip the chicken halfway through to allow both sides to crisp up.
    • One of the biggest reasons that your chicken may not crisp up is if you overcrowd your air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary!
    • Preheating most air fryers is important to achieving the ultimate crispy air fryer bone-in chicken thighs.
    • If you are short on time, you can marinate your chicken at room temperature for 30 minutes.

    Serving Suggestions

    Chicken in the air fryer is a versatile meal that can work with many sides. 

    Great side dishes for this recipe are Keto Collard Greens, Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts, Keto Loaded Cauliflower, or Broccoli Cheese Casserole.

    Are you looking for a delicious sauce to compliment your chicken? You can't go wrong with Ranch Dressing, Bang Bang Sauce, Blue Cheese Dressing, or Keto Cheese Sauce.

    Have leftovers? Pull them off the bone and use them for salads. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?


    Air fryers can cook at different rates, depending on the model and style. Oven-style air fryers will typically take a longer cooking time than basket style.

    Additionally, the size of your chicken thighs plays a role in the overall cooking time.

    You should expect it to take between 16 and 18 minutes for your chicken thighs to cook. I always recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of your thighs is 160° F before removing them from the heat.

    After you let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes, they will reach the recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees.

    Can I use this recipe to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs?


    Yes, you sure can! Just reduce the cooking time to 12 to 13 minutes, and make sure you are using an instant-read thermometer to make sure that the chicken is fully cooked.

    How do I know when my chicken thighs are fully cooked?


    Your chicken thighs will be fully cooked when they are 165 degrees at the thickest point.

    How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs

    First, make the marinade by combining the mayo, oil, mustard, lime juice, thyme, salt, and pepper in a mall bowl.

    Pour the marinade over the chicken in either a shallow dish or a plastic zip-top bag.

    Mustard, mayo, lemon juice, oil, and seasonings in a blue bowl.
    Chicken marinade being whisked together in a blue bowl.

    If you have time, refrigerate for at least two hours. Short on time? No, worries! Just marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

    Remove from the marinade and allow the excess marinade to drip off. (If you want, you can spray the chicken with cooking spray - this helps avoid sticking and makes them a little crispier.)

    Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in your air fryer basket.

    Overhead photo of a shallow casserole dish with chicken thighs covered in marinade.
    Photo of marinated chicken draining on a wire wrack set above a baking sheet.

    Cook in batches for about 16 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. 

    Remove the chicken when it has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees. 

    Rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for three months.

    More Chicken Recipe to Try

    • When you are looking for a rich and creamy meal that the whole family will love, this Keto Creamy Chicken is always a hit.
    • Keto Chicken Divan is a low-carb twist on a much-loved classic. Try it once, and you will be hooked!
    • For a delicious lunch that you will make time and again, Keto Chicken Lettuce Wraps are perfect.
    • Once you make these Keto Grilled Chicken Thighs, they are sure to make a regular appearance in your meal plans.
    Close up photos of a plate of air fryer chicken thighs garnished with parsley.

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      Square overhead photo of a plate of air fryer chicken thighs.
      Print Recipe
      5 from 1 vote

      Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

      Chicken recipes don't get any better than this air fryer chicken thigh recipe. In just minutes of hands-on time, you get juicy chicken with crispy skin.
      Prep Time10 mins
      Cook Time16 mins
      Marinating Time2 hrs
      Total Time2 hrs 26 mins
      Course: Main
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: air fryer
      Servings: 8
      Calories: 391.32kcal
      Author: Wendy Polisi
      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

      Ingredients

      • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
      • ¼ cup avocado oil
      • 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
      • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
      • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
      • 2 teaspoons sea salt
      • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
      • 2 ½ pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs

      Instructions

      • In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, avocado oil, brown mustard, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.
      • Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
      • Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
      • Place the chicken on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and allow excess marinade to drip off for 15 minutes.
      • Preheat the air fryer to 400° F.
      • Working in batches, place the chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer.
      • Cook for 8 minutes.
      • Flip and cook for another 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160° F.
      • Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

      Notes

      • For perfectly crispy chicken, make sure you spray both sides with oil. I use avocado oil.
      • Let the excess marinade drip off before cooking to avoid a big mess in your air fryer.
      • Make sure that you flip the chicken halfway through to allow both sides to crisp up.
      • One of the biggest reasons that your chicken may not crisp up is if you overcrowd your air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary!
      • Preheating most air fryers is an important step to achieving the ultimate crispy air fryer bone-in chicken thighs.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 391.32kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.88g | Protein: 19.86g | Fat: 33.99g | Saturated Fat: 7.29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9.28g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14.78g | Trans Fat: 0.12g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 776.14mg | Potassium: 258.95mg | Fiber: 0.24g | Sugar: 0.26g | Vitamin A: 112.66IU | Vitamin C: 0.91mg | Calcium: 18.03mg | Iron: 1.21mg
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jeanie

        April 15, 2022 at 3:57 pm

        5 stars
        These were delicious and easy! My package of thighs was only 2 pounds, 4 thighs. Since I was using the IP Air Fryer Lid, only two would fit. I did two the first night and two the next day. I made the marinade exactly as called for in the recipe except that my mustard wasn't spicy. I left the second batch in the marinade overnight and then fried them. My marinade was too thick to drip off so I wiped a bit off before air frying. DON'T FORGET TO SPRAY THE CHICKEN! I forgot the first night but sprayed the second batch. It really improved the crispiness of the chicken. I air fried each leftover thigh with my Mealthy CrispLid at 400 degrees for 7 minutes, adding some leftover pub chips to the basket after 4 minutes.I didn't turn them when reheating.

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          April 15, 2022 at 3:58 pm

          So glad you enjoyed them!

          Reply
      2. Cathy

        May 23, 2022 at 1:58 pm

        What if you don't have avocado oil?

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          May 23, 2022 at 2:08 pm

          You can use your favorite heat-safe oil!

          Reply

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      Welcome

      I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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