Go Back
–+ servings
Air fryer pesto chicken thighs in a black air fryer basket, coated in green basil pesto with browned crisp edges

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs

5 from 5 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Rest Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Juicy air fryer pesto chicken thighs with crisp, herby edges. One bowl, two main ingredients, and exact cook times for bone-in and boneless.

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 8, or bone-in skin-on
  • ½ cup basil pesto, plus 3 tablespoons reserved for finishing
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for finishing
  • Fresh basil leaves, optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  • In a large bowl, whisk ½ cup of the pesto with the olive oil and lemon juice until loose. Reserve the remaining 3 tablespoons of pesto separately.
  • Add the chicken to the bowl and turn with tongs until fully coated. Rest 10 minutes if time allows.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
  • Arrange the thighs in a single layer with space between them, skin side up. Cook boneless thighs 16–18 minutes total, flipping at 9 minutes. Cook bone-in thighs 22–26 minutes total, flipping at 15 minutes.
  • In the final 2 minutes, brush the reserved pesto over the chicken and sprinkle with Parmesan if using.
  • Check the temperature at the thickest part: 165°F for boneless, 175–180°F for bone-in.
  • Rest 5 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.

Equipment

Notes

  • Cook in batches rather than crowding the basket.
  • Reduce salt if your pesto is heavily salted.
  • Store up to 4 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen. Reheat at 350°F for 4–6 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 46gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 220mgSodium: 827mgPotassium: 574mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 702IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 2mg