Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs can be a delicious and healthy addition to any meal. The chili lime marinade adds a little zing and a slight kick that will tantalize your taste buds.

And, with an air fryer, it’s simple to make them at home for an easy weeknight dinner or Sunday family gathering. Not only is this recipe full of flavor, but the air fryer does the job quickly so you don’t have long to wait until you can dig in!

Feeding a family healthy and tasty meals doesn’t have to be difficult! Chili-Lime Chicken Thighs made with an air fryer can help you achieve the perfect balance between convenience and deliciousness. Whether you’re seeking a night of comfort food, hosting a crowd, or meal prepping in advance for those busy weeks; this recipe will provide you with all the flavor your family craves. Enjoy tender chicken thighs coated in flavorful spices, while utilizing simple ingredients that are readily available in your pantry – all prepared within 30 minutes!

Why You Will Love Making Chili Lime Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

Chili lime chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer are juicy and full of flavor. The combination of chili powder, lime, and garlic gives the chicken a delicious citrus kick that will tantalize your taste buds. Plus, cooking the chicken in an air fryer is surprisingly simple and much healthier than deep frying. You can even prepare the marinade the night before, so dinner is ready to go with minimal effort. The chicken thighs come out crispy and juicy, making them perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or simply served with a side of veggies. With chili lime chicken thighs in an air fryer, you’ll have a unique and delicious meal that’s sure to please everyone at the dinner table. Plus, you’ll be able to make a healthier version of a restaurant-style dish without all the fat and calories! What’s not to love? Make chili lime chicken thighs in your air fryer tonight – your family will thank you.

These are great recipes for meal prep! It’s an easy recipe, with only a few marinade ingredients.

Ingredients Needed

Dreaming of juicy, succulent, and finger-licking chicken thighs made in an air fryer? Spice up some regular chicken with a zesty chili-lime marinade for an explosion of flavor that is sure to leave your taste buds tingling!

This easy recipe can be ready in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress friends with a delicious meal. All you need are some simple ingredients, plus a few minutes of preparation time and the output will be perfectly cooked tender and flavorful chicken that’s sure to get rave reviews from all. Let’s take a look at what we’ll need to make these amazing tasting Chili Lime Chicken Thighs using an air fryer!

Remember, the step-by-step instructions, and full recipe, are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

• Chicken Thighs: Use bone-in or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Oil: Use any high-heat oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil
• Lime: Use lime juice and lime zest
• Seasonings and Spices: Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Ground Cumin, Oregano, Kosher Salt, and Black Pepper
• Serving: Lime Wedges, and fresh lime juice.

How To Cook Chili Lime Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

Forget ordinary chicken meals and make something extra special this time with chili lime chicken thighs in an air fryer. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because it only takes 30 minutes to cook, plus you don’t have to turn on the oven! The zesty marinade of lime juice and spices gives these juicy tender chicken thighs a bold flavor that your family will be begging for more. If you haven’t tried cooking in an air fryer yet then now is a great time to start — this spicy-sweet dish puts it to good use!

And of course, cooking the chicken thighs in the air fryer gives you perfectly crispy skin, that your whole family will love!

Step One: Prepare Your Chicken Thighs

Using paper towels, remove any excess moisture from the chicken thighs This will help crisp the skin, and you can also remove the excess skin. I sometimes use a meat mallet to make the thickness of the chicken even thick.

Step Two: Prepare The Seasoning Mix

In a large bowl, add the seasonings, lime juice, oil, and lime zest and mix well. I love to marinate the chicken for about 30-60 minutes, to add even more flavor to the chicken thighs.

Step Three: Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, for 5-8 minutes. Before adding your chicken thighs, in a single layer, skin side down, and cook time for 10 minutes. Use tongs, brush some more marinade onto the chicken, and set the cooking time for another 10 minutes. Check the internal temperature, with a meat thermometer, when when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, you can safely remove your chicken thighs.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, before serving.

Pro Tips:

Cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer is a great way to add flavor and texture without compromising on taste. The high-heat cooking process seals in moisture and locks in flavor, resulting in tender, succulent meat. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the mess that typically comes with deep-frying. Here are some tips for cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer:

• Preheating Air Fryer or Convection Oven: Preheat the air fryer before adding chicken thighs to ensure even cooking.
• Keeping Your Chicken Thighs Moist: Use a brush or spray bottle to evenly coat the chicken with oil, sauce, or marinade prior to placing it into the air fryer basket. This will help add flavor and keep the chicken from drying out during cooking.
• Prevent Sticking: To prevent sticking, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Be sure to pull it tight and avoid any wrinkles that may cause uneven cooking.
• Single Layer: Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap or touch. This will help ensure even cooking on all sides.
• Batches: Cook in batches, if necessary, to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket which can lead to uneven cooking. Your chicken thighs should have plenty of room around them, in the air fyrer basket, so they crisp up.
• Cooking Time: Monitor the chicken often and adjust the cooking time as needed for desired results. Pay close attention to any signs of burning or drying out and adjust the heat or reduce the cooking time accordingly.
• Resting Time: Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to help retain moisture and flavor. Be sure to keep it covered in foil or parchment paper until ready to serve.
• Cut of Chicken: You can use chicken breasts, skinless thighs, chicken legs, and boneless chicken thighs, this recipe will work with any raw chicken. The cooking time will change, so remember to use a meat thermometer to check that your chicken is fully cooked, before removing it from the air fyrer basket.
• Seasonings: If you want to add a little kick you can add some onion powder or a little bit of hot sauce.

By following these tips, you can enjoy delicious, juicy chicken thighs cooked perfectly in your air fryer.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs are a delicious and healthy dish that can be prepared in minutes. The air fryer is a great way to get crispy, tender, juicy chicken without all the added fat and calories of deep frying. However, once you have cooked up your chicken thighs, it’s time to think about what you should serve with them.

When it comes to favorite sides, there are plenty of options that work great with air fryer chicken thighs. Depending on the type of meal you’re trying to create, you can go for something classic like air fryer mashed potatoes, a side of rice, or air fryer roasted vegetables. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, try pairing your air fryer chicken thighs with a fresh salad, quinoa pilaf, or even wild rice.

If you’re looking to dress up your air fryer chicken thighs even more, you can add some sauces and seasonings to the mix. A creamy garlic sauce or light balsamic glaze will give the dish extra flavor and depth. Or go for a bolder flavor profile with something like Cajun or BBQ seasoning. Whatever you choose to serve with your air fryer chicken thighs, the possibilities are endless.

How To Store

Cooked chicken thighs are a great way to make big batches of delicious meals for the week ahead. To keep cooked chicken thighs fresh and safe for consumption, it is important to store them correctly. Here are some tips on how to store cooked chicken thighs:

• Storing: Let the cooked chicken cool completely before storing it. This will prevent any bacteria from growing in the chicken. Place the cooked chicken thighs into an airtight container, Zip lock Bag, or resealable bag, or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. This will keep moisture out and ensure the chicken stays fresh and free of contamination.
• Timing: Store cooked chicken thighs in the refrigerator and use them within 4 days for optimal freshness. If you’d like to keep the chicken longer, it can be frozen for up to 3 months

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fyrer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Black Beans
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

This is a great recipe, that you can make for any weeknight dinner. The hot air that circulates around the chicken thighs, creates a perfect dinner. The flavors are bold, and the flavors are zesty!

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