Looking for an easy and flavorful air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe? These simple, delicious boneless chicken thighs in air fryer are glazed with a brown sugar balsamic sauce that adds amazing flavor and juiciness.
Gather This
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make chicken thighs in the air fryer. For the full ingredient list, jump to the printable recipe card.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – it is helpful to trim off any excess fat, as it tends to burn when cooked in an air fryer.
- Balsamic vinegar – great for making a simple brown sugar balsamic glaze that adds great flavor.
- Olive oil – an essential ingredient for the glaze, and helpful in preventing the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket while cooking.
- Brown sugar – you can use either dark or light brown sugar. If you’re looking to reduce calories and refined sugar, Swerve brown sugar alternative is a great substitute.
- Minced garlic – great complimentary flavor in the glaze.
- Garlic salt – ideal for seasoning chicken thighs.
- Ground pepper – also ideal for seasoning chicken.
Let’s Get Cooking!
If you’re tired of making the same old boring chicken dinners, you’ll be surprised at how easy this chicken thighs in the air fryer recipe is.
- Make the glaze. Start by mixing the brown sugar balsamic glaze. In a small bowl add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, garlic salt and pepper. Whisk together to help the brown sugar dissolve into the rest of the ingredients.
- Prepare chicken. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat from the thighs. Place the chicken thighs into a shallow baking dish or pan.
- Pour glaze over chicken. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of the glaze, placing it into a small separate container. This reserved glaze will be brushed on to the chicken while cooking. Then, pour the rest of the remaining glaze over the trimmed chicken thighs.
- Let chicken marinate. Let the chicken set in the balsamic sauce for about 10 minutes. While the chicken marinates, preheat your air fryer.
- Add to air fryer basket. Place the marinated chicken thighs into the preheated air fryer basket in one even layer. Four to five chicken thighs will fit into a medium to large size air fryer basket. If you have more chicken thighs, it is best to cook in separate batches to ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
- Cook the chicken thighs. Halfway through cooking, turn the chicken thighs over, then brush with the remaining balsamic glaze. Cook for the remaining time. Let cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻
- Salt – I like using garlic salt to season these chicken thighs. If you feel they need more, start with a pinch of fine sea salt.
- Seasonings – I use a simple blend of brown sugar, garlic, ground pepper and garlic salt. To bring up the spice level, try adding some crushed red pepper flakes.
- Sauces – These chicken thighs in the air fryer are already coated in a deliciously sticky glaze. However, you can dip this chicken in bbq sauce, ranch or any other sauce you’d like.
- Swaps – Try swapping the brown sugar for another sweet element like honey or maple syrup. You can also swap the chicken thighs for chicken breasts- just keep in mind the cooking time may change.
- Senses – While the chicken thighs in the air fryer are cooking, an slightly sweet and garlicky aroma fills the air. The sticky sweet glaze makes them finger licking good!
Make It A Meal!
This air fryer chicken recipe is wonderfully versatile and goes with numerous salads and side dishes. Here are some of our favorite side dish recipes that go with chicken:
- Any type of potatoes including Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Bombay Potatoes or even Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
- Sauteed Carrots and other veggies.
- Starches like Rice Pilaf, Parmesan Garlic Linguine or Toasted Couscous.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, cooked chicken thighs will last for up to five days.
Can I Freeze Chicken Thighs?
You can store these chicken thighs in the air fryer in the freezer for up to six months. Just make sure they are in an airtight container.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
We have loads of chicken recipes and even some made in the air fryer!
Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
These simple, delicious Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer are glazed with a brown sugar balsamic sauce that adds amazing flavor and juiciness!
Servings:
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic about 2-3 cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs about 4-5 medium thighs
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoon minced garlic about 2-3 cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper and 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of the glaze in a small bowl and set aside.
- Place the 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs about 4-5 medium thighs in a shallow baking dish or pan. Remove any excess fat and pat dry with paper towels. Pour the balsamic glaze over the chicken, turning over to ensure all sides are coated with the glaze.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. (Check your owners manual to see exact preheat times for your model of air fryer. Preheat times are typically 3-5 minutes.)
- To the preheated air fryer basket, place the glazed chicken, skin side down. Use a liner for easy clean up. Discard the glaze that was in the baking dish. Evenly space the chicken thighs, making sure to place in one layer. Cook the chicken for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, turn the chicken thighs over, and brush with the reserved balsamic glaze that was previously set aside. Cook the chicken for an additional 10 minutes or until they register at 165°F using a digital thermometer.
- Once done cooking, let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how you liked it in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Want to double the recipe? I recommend cooking the chicken thighs in two separate batches. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll have the best results by cooking 4-5 thighs at once. I don’t recommend overcrowding or stacking more than 5 thighs into the air fryer basket at one time. The chicken will not cook evenly.
Nutrition
Calories: 378 kcal, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Protein: 33 g, Fat: 21 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g, Trans Fat: 0.03 g, Cholesterol: 162 mg, Sodium: 450 mg, Potassium: 462 mg, Fiber: 0.1 g, Sugar: 12 g, Vitamin A: 42 IU, Vitamin C: 0.5 mg, Calcium: 33 mg, Iron: 2 mg
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Your blog is proof that cooking can be both delicious and approachable. Thank you for sharing!
I don’t have an air fryer but this chicken looks delicious so I’m adding to my bucket list to get one! And bookmarking this recipe!
I love how quick and easy these chicken thighs are to make. Perfect for my family.
I love the flavor that the balsamic vinegar gave this chicken. Such an easy and delicious dinner.
Another great way to put my airfryer to good use!