Easy Air Fryer Caesar Chicken Thighs

Easy Air Fryer Caesar Chicken Thighs are juicy on the inside with crispy, golden skin thanks to a bold Caesar dressing marinade. This simple air fryer chicken dinner uses pantry basics and delivers big flavor with barely any prep.

If chicken thighs are your weeknight safety net, this recipe is about to earn a permanent spot in your rotation.

Easy Air Fryer Caesar Chicken Thighs pack serious flavor with almost no effort thanks to store-bought Caesar dressing doing all the heavy lifting.

The air fryer crisps the skin beautifully while keeping the meat tender and juicy, giving you that roasted chicken payoff without heating up the oven.

This is the kind of low-effort dinner that tastes like you tried way harder than you did.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Crispy skin without turning on the oven
• Caesar dressing does all the seasoning work
• Juicy chicken thighs every single time
• Quick prep with barely any cleanup
• Family-approved flavor that never gets boring

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in or boneless thighs stay juicy, crisp beautifully
• Caesar Dressing: Creamy, garlicky dressing adds instant bold flavor
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for salty, savory, crispy finish
• Garlic Powder: Boosts flavor without burning in air fryer
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and classic seasoning balance
• Olive Oil: Helps skin crisp and seasoning stick evenly

How To Make Air Fryer Caesar Chicken Thighs

Step One: Preheat air fryer, set air fryer temperature to 375 degrees F (190°C), for 3-5 minutes.

Step Two: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.

Step Three: Season the chicken thighs lightly with pepper to taste.

Step Four: In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of Caesar dressing, and ½ cup of sour cream. Ensure the mixture is well combined.

Step Five: Dip each chicken thigh into the Caesar mixture, make sure each piece is well coated. Then, dredge the coated chicken in the pork rind crumbs, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the chicken.

Step Six: Place the coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket.

Step Seven: Air fry the chicken thighs at 375 degrees F (190°C) and set cook time for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step Eight: Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Caesar Chicken Thighs Recipe Tips

• Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning so the coating sticks and crisps instead of sliding off.
• Don’t oversalt the chicken since Caesar dressing and Parmesan already bring plenty of salty punch.
• Leave space between the thighs in the air fryer basket so hot air can circulate and crisp the skin evenly.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking if your air fryer cooks unevenly or has hot spots.
• Use a meat thermometer and pull the chicken at 165°F so it stays juicy and not dried out.

Storing Instructions

Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.

Easy Air Fryer Caesar Chicken Thighs Recipe Faqs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs? Yes, boneless thighs work great. Reduce the cooking time by about 6 to 8 minutes and check for doneness early.

Do I need to flip the chicken while cooking? Flipping helps with even browning, especially if your air fryer has hot spots, but it’s not required in all models.

What type of Caesar dressing works best? Creamy Caesar dressing gives the best flavor and texture. Light or homemade versions also work if that’s what you have.

Can I make this recipe without pork rind crumbs? Yes, crushed crackers or breadcrumbs can be used instead, but pork rinds give the crispiest, low-carb coating.

How do I know when the chicken is done? The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the skin looks golden and crisp.

Can I prep this ahead of time? You can coat the chicken and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours before cooking. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before air frying.

Is this recipe good for meal prep? Yes, these chicken thighs reheat well in the air fryer and stay juicy, making them great for quick lunches or dinners.

More Easy Recipes

• air fryer two ingredient ice cream bread
• AIR FRYER EVERYTHING BAGEL BREAD
• EASY AIR FRYER EVERYTHING BAGELS
• AIR FRYER YORKSHIRE PUDDING
• AIR FRYER HOMEMADE ITALIAN AND GARLIC CROUTONS
• FROZEN BISCUITS IN AIR FRYER
• AIR FRYER DINNER ROLLS
• AIR FRYER SOFT DINNER ROLLS

Don’t Forget To Pin!

Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!​