How long to cook marinated chicken thighs in air fryer

Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Marinated Chicken Thighs is a quick, healthy recipe that includes the cook time, temperature, and instructions for how long to cook fried chicken thighs using a Cook Essentials, Power Air Fryer, or any brand. You can use bone-in, boneless, fresh, or frozen chicken thighs.

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This post was originally written in 2019. It has since been updated.

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Is anyone else obsessed with their air fryer? The air fryer delivers the perfect level of crisp and crunch to all of my favorite foods. I had to try chicken thighs in the air fryer because thighs are naturally juicy. They are also loaded with so much flavor!

Best of all, air fried chicken is perfect for a keto, low-carb lifestyle. So yes, chicken breasts will work just fine for this recipe.

What Kind of Thighs to Use

You can use bone-in or boneless thighs. I used bone-in in this recipe. Those usually have a longer cook time. Boneless thighs are usually ready around 18-20 minutes.

You can use skin-on or skinless thighs. It will not impact the cook time.

How to Make Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

1. I like to marinate the chicken first (at least an hour up to overnight), but it’s totally optional.
2. Place the chicken in a sealable plastic bag. Drizzle the chicken with fresh lime, soy sauce, season with chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle cilantro throughout. Marinate.
3. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry.

How Long to Cook the Chicken/Cook Time

I typically cook chicken thighs in the air fryer for 20-22 minutes. I always use a meat thermometer. The chicken should cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

If you use a thermometer you will be able to gauge the timing no matter what air fryer brand you have.

Air Fryer Temperature

I recommend 400 degrees.

Can You Use Frozen Chicken Thighs?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs. You may have to allow more time. You will still cook the chicken at 400 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

You can pair these Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs with my Keto Low-Carb Cauliflower Mash or Low-Carb Creamed Spinach.

Air Fryer Side Dishes

Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Marinated Chicken Thighs is a quick, healthy recipe that includes the cook time, temperature, and instructions for how long to cook fried chicken thighs using a Cook Essentials, Power Air Fryer, or any brand. You can use bone-in, boneless, fresh, or frozen chicken thighs.

Save this recipe here.

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer marinated chicken, keto air fryer chicken thighs

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

marinate 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 209kcal

• 4 chicken thighs boneless or bone-in, Mine weighed 2 pounds total.
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ lime juice of
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or liquid aminos
• 1 teaspoon McCormick’s Montreal Chicken Seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped cilantro

• You can choose to marinate the meat ahead of time or season the meat right before cooking. Personally, I prefer to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours (to overnight) beforehand.

• Drizzle the olive oil, fresh lime juice, and soy sauce (or liquid aminos) over both sides of the chicken thighs.

• Season the chicken with the chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. I like to add the chicken to a sealable plastic bag first and toss the chicken in the seasonings to evenly coat.

• Toss the cilantro into the bag. Marinate for 2 hours to overnight.

• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. You shouldn’t need to spray the basket with oil as the chicken is coated in olive oil, but do so, if you wish.

• Cook the chicken for 10 minutes on 400 degrees. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes.

• Total cook time will vary, as each air fryer brand cooks differently. Use a meat thermometer to assess when the chicken has finished cooking. The chicken is ready when it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. In addition, I like to cook it until the skin becomes tender.

• Open the air fryer and remove the chicken. Cool before serving.

• TIP: For added lime flavor retain the other half of the lime to squeeze fresh lime juice throughout the chicken.

You can use frozen chicken thighs. You may have to allow more time. You will still cook the chicken at 400 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

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Serving: 1thigh | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 15g

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Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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