Description
Juicy, flavorful air fryer chicken thighs that are perfect for meal prep. This method ensures moist meat that stays tender for up to four days in the fridge or three months in the freezer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure browning and place in a medium bowl.
- Drizzle avocado oil over the chicken, then add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Toss and massage the spices into the meat until every piece is evenly coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange the first batch of chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping.
- Cook at 400°F for 18 minutes, flipping the thighs halfway through (around 9 minutes).
- Remove cooked chicken to a plate and let rest for 2 minutes while loading the second batch.
- Cook the second batch for another 18 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Let chicken cool completely before portioning into containers (approx. 4oz per serving) to prevent condensation.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Patting the chicken dry is crucial for browning. Let the chicken cool completely before storing to avoid sogginess. For variations, try BBQ sauce, honey garlic glaze, or Cajun seasoning. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 36 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4oz chicken thighs
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 25
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, meal prep chicken, juicy chicken thighs, healthy meal prep, high protein dinner, air fryer recipes, batch cooking