Recipes for chicken thighs in the air fryer

Recipes for chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer are exactly the kind of solution you need when you want to put a delicious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. The dark meat of chicken is particularly well-suited to this cooking method: it remains naturally tender and juicy inside, while developing a beautiful golden crust on the outside. The result? Vibrant flavors, perfect texture, and minimal cleanup. Whether you're preparing a weeknight dinner or entertaining friends, these three recipes for chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer are sure to please everyone.

General Tso's chicken thighs, air-fried

We all love General Tso's chicken, but the traditional fried version can seem intimidating to make at home. Good news: the air fryer makes it so much easier! The chicken comes out crispy, the sauce is rich and slightly sweet and spicy, and you avoid deep-frying. A classic with a twist that kids and adults alike will ask for again and again.

Ingredients (4 servings)

For the chicken and marinade:

2 packs (600 g) of chicken thighs l’épiciercut into bite-sized pieces
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) chopped ginger
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) chopped garlic
15 ml (2 tsp) of soy sauce
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) of rice vinegar
1 beaten egg
200 ml (3/4 cup) cornstarch

For the sauce:

160 ml (2/3 cup) of chicken broth
45 ml (3 tbsp) of soy sauce
45 ml (3 tbsp) of ketchup
15 ml (2 tbsp) of rice vinegar
15 ml (2 tbsp) of brown sugar
15 ml (2 tbsp) of cornstarch
45 ml (3 tbsp) of canola oil
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) chopped ginger
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) chopped garlic
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) red chili flakes
Sesame seeds as a garnish
Sliced green onions as a garnish

Mix the chicken with the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Let it marinate for 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.

Dip the chicken pieces in the beaten egg, then coat them in cornstarch. Shake off the excess. Place them in a single layer in the lightly oiled basket (the chicken pieces should be spaced apart to cook evenly; cook them in two batches if the entire quantity doesn't fit in your air fryer basket). Cook for 12 to 16 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Meanwhile, in a pan over medium-high heat, sauté the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes in oil until fragrant. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and cook until thickened.

Coat the cooked chicken in the sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over rice with green vegetables.

Pieces of breaded chicken thighs in an air fryer

Chicken thighs marinated in pickle juice and air-fried

It might sound surprising, but pickle juice is a natural tenderizer that works wonders on chicken. Plus, this recipe uses up a flavorful liquid that would otherwise go to waste. The meat comes out incredibly tender, with a slightly tangy taste that pairs perfectly with the smoked paprika. We suggest preparing the marinade the day before for even better results!

Ingredients (4 servings):

2 packs (600 g) of chicken thighs l’épicier
500 ml (2 cups) of pickle juice
80 ml (1/3 cup) of brown sugar
15 ml (1 tbsp) of olive oil
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) of smoked paprika
7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) garlic salt
1 ml (1/4 tsp) black pepper

Creamy dill sauce (optional):

120 ml (1/2 cup) of plain yogurt
120 ml (1/2 cup) of mayonnaise
30 ml (2 tbsp) of fresh or dried dill
Lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste

Place the chicken in a resealable freezer bag. Add the pickle juice and brown sugar, massaging the bag to dissolve the sugar completely. Refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the marinade, pat it dry with paper towels, and brush it with olive oil. Sprinkle and rub in the paprika, garlic salt, and pepper mixture. Cook for 16 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Meanwhile, mix together all the sauce ingredients. Serve the chicken with the sauce as a dipping sauce.

Chicken thighs marinated in pickle juice and cooked in an air fryer

Air fryer chicken thigh skewers

These kebabs are perfect for breaking up the routine! The chicken thigh cubes stay nice and juicy, and the garlic and honey butter that's drizzled over them straight from the air fryer... that's what makes all the difference!

Ingredients (4 servings):

2 packs (600 g) of chicken thighs l’épiciercut into 5 cm (2 in) pieces
3 ml (½ tsp) garlic powder
3 ml (½ tsp) of onion powder
3 ml (½ tsp) of paprika
1.5 ml (¼ tsp) of cayenne pepper
1,5 ml (¼ tsp) of turmeric
3 ml (½ tsp) of kosher salt
3 ml (½ tsp) black pepper
15 ml (1 tbsp) of olive oil

Garlic and honey butter:

125 ml (115 g) of garlic butter
15 ml (1 tbsp) honey
15 ml (1 tbsp) of chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Mix the spices in a bowl, then add them to the chicken along with the oil. Stir well to coat evenly and marinate for 20 minutes. Thread the pieces onto bamboo skewers.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Oil the air fryer basket and place the skewers inside. Cook for 10 minutes, turn over, then continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked to 74°C (165°F).

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the honey and parsley, then remove from the heat. Coat the skewers with the garlic and honey butter, garnish with additional parsley, and serve.

Chicken thigh skewers cooked in an air fryer

Air fryers and chicken thighs are a winning combination. In no time and with minimal effort, you can create delicious meals the whole family will love. Feel free to explore these recipes and adapt them to your liking: that's home cooking at its best!

Check out our other articles full of ideas for cooking chicken!

sources:
https://www.loveandotherspices.com/air-fryer-general-tsos-chicken/#recipe
https://ketocookingchristian.com/air-fryer-chicken-thighs-pickle-brined/
https://cookswellwithothers.com/2023/02/01/air-fryer-pickle-brined-chicken-thighs/
https://cjeatsrecipes.com/air-fryer-chicken-skewers/#wprm-recipe-container-6556