Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just getting started with your air fryer, this mouthwatering dish will have you hooked at the first bite. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s fry it, to believe it!
Notes: We are currently in the development and testing stage for this air fryer breaded chicken thighs recipe. Stay tuned for more updates. If you have any tips on making this dish even better, please leave us a comment below. We appreciate your input!
Happy frying!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs
Here are all you need to make this delicious air fried breaded chicken thighs.
- Chicken thighs
- Buttermilk
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
- Avocado oil
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
For this recipe, we’ll be using bone-in chicken thighs. However, if you have boneless on hand, I included its cook time in the recipe card below.
Recipe Video
Here’s a video of a similar recipe that we’re going for.
How to Cook Breaded Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer?
One of the common pitfalls in this recipe is that the chicken doesn’t turn out crispy. Luckily, we’ve solved this problem by spraying avocado oil.
Applying avocado oil on the breaded chicken mimics deep-fried results (to some extent), making it crispy, so that’s a win in my book.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Prepare the ingredients.
In a shallow yet large container, combine panko breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the breadcrumb mixture.
In another bowl, pour in buttermilk.
💡 Pro Tip: Marinate the chicken thighs in buttermilk before breading for extra tenderness and flavor. Submerge the chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight for the best results.
Step 3: Bread the chicken thighs.
Dip each chicken thigh into the buttermilk (or egg), letting the excess drip off.
Transfer the chicken thigh to the breadcrumb mixture and gently press the breadcrumbs onto the surface of the chicken. Ensure an even coating by patting the mixture gently onto all sides.
This step is crucial as it guarantees that every bite of your air fryer breaded chicken thighs will be crispy and flavorful.
Step 4: Air fry the breaded chicken thighs for 16 – 22 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer basket has no non-stick surface, lightly spray it with avocado oil.
Place the breaded chicken thighs in the basket, leaving space between them for proper air circulation. Air fry at 400ºF (204ºC) for 16 – 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
Spray the thighs with avocado oil. This’ll allow the chicken to have crispy golden brown breading.
✦ If you’re using boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time will be 14 – 20 minutes.
🚨 Important: Cooking times may vary depending on the chicken’s thickness and, most importantly, the size and model of your air fryer. Thus, ensure the chicken reaches a safe temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) before consumption.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Once the chicken thighs are cooked to golden perfection, remove them from the air fryer. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Pair with your favorite sides, such as fluffy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a zesty salad.
Now, it’s time to unleash the magic of your air fryer with these delectable air fryer breaded chicken thighs. Enjoy the simplicity, convenience, and downright deliciousness of this crowd-pleasing dish!
Happy frying! 🍗🍴
What to Serve with Air Fried Breaded Chicken Thighs
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Dip: A delectable dipping sauce to complement the crispy chicken thighs.
- Classic Coleslaw: The refreshing crunch of coleslaw makes for a fantastic side.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Add some sweetness and extra crispiness to your plate.
- Air Fried Corn on the Cob: A perfect summer delight to complete your meal.
Freezing & Storage
Freezing:
Allow the cooked chicken thighs to cool down to room temperature. Then place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the sheet with the chicken thighs for 1 to 2 hours until they’re partially frozen.
Next, transfer the partially frozen chicken thighs to freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. It’s essential to label the containers with the date so that you can keep track of how long they’ve been frozen.
You can store the chicken thighs in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
When ready to cook the frozen breaded chicken thighs, air fry at 375ºF (193ºC) for 8 – 10 minutes or until cooked through or the coating becomes crispy. Don’t forget to flip halfway.
✦ Please don’t reheat them in the microwave. It’ll end up soggy, so it won’t be as good.
Fridge: To keep them fresh, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for three days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 375ºF (190ºC) for 3 – 5 minutes or until they’re warm and crisp. By the way, the air fryer should be preheated first.
Breaded Chicken Thighs, No Buttermilk
For a no-buttermilk version, you can use eggs as a perfect substitute.
Crack into a bowl and beat the eggs, and use it to dip your chicken thighs before breading them with the flavorful breadcrumb mixture. The eggs will create a similar coating and help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken for that signature crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking breaded chicken thighs (bone-in) in the air fryer takes about 16 – 22 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC). Boneless will only take 14 – 20 minutes, depending on its thickness. Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) to guarantee safe consumption.
Yes! You can use regular breading in an air fryer. The hot air circulation in the air fryer will still yield crispy results. One trick is to use avocado oil.
Yes, Frozen French Toast Sticks will work well with any air fryer. It only takes a few minutes to cook. Here’s how we did it.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Avocado oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, submerge the chicken thighs in the buttermilk. Make sure that the chicken thighs are fully submerged. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Then, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight). This'll help the chicken become tender and flavorful.
- Create the breadcrumbs mixture by combinining panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a shallow yet wide dish. Mix well.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for 5 minutes.
- Remove each chicken thigh from the buttermilk, allowing any excess liquid to drip off.
- Coat each chicken thigh with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken's surface. Ensure an even coating for a crunchy texture.
- Lightly spray avocado oil on the air fryer basket to prevent sticking (optional).
- Place the breaded chicken thighs in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving space between them for proper air circulation.
- Air fry the chicken thighs at 400ºF (204ºC) for 16 – 22 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked at an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- Remove them from the air fryer once the chicken thighs are fully cooked and crispy. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain their juiciness.
- Serve the air fried breaded chicken thighs with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- If you don’t have time, you don’t have to marinate the chicken. Simply dip the chicken thighs into the buttermilk, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- When you use boneless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time to 14 – 20 minutes.
- Remember that cooking times can vary based on the chicken’s thickness and your air fryer’s size and model. Ensure the chicken reaches a safe temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) before eating.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the breaded chicken thighs.
- I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the air fryer breaded chicken thighs. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you’re making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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