I have to tell you about this dinner I made the other night. My three teenagers were running around like crazy, I was trying to get stuff done, and I needed something fast but still tasty. That is when I decided to try air fried chicken thighs in my air fryer, and let me tell you, it was a total win. This recipe for air fried chicken thighs turned out perfectly crispy and juicy, and the whole family loved it. I mean, it is the kind of air fried food that makes everyone happy, even when I do not have a ton of time.
I love making air fry chicken thighs because it is easy, almost no mess, and feels like a treat. These air fryer chicken thighs are not just your regular dinner. They are crispy, golden, and sticky in all the right ways. If you are looking for air fryer chicken thighs recipes or just want air fryer fried chicken that is super easy, this is it. I tried a few air fryer oven recipes before, but this one with simple ingredients is the best.
This is one of those air fryer recipes chicken thighs that you can make any night of the week. These air fryer thighs come out perfectly cooked every time. The skin gets golden and crispy, while the meat stays tender and juicy. If you love airfryer chicken thighs, this might just become your new favorite. Honestly, it is the best chicken thigh recipe air fryer I have tried in a long time. Using bone-in chicken thighs makes a huge difference, and with simple chicken thigh seasoning recipes, it tastes like restaurant quality.
If you are looking for chicken thigh air fryer recipes, this one for chicken thighs air fryer recipes is super easy to follow. Every bite of this chicken thighs recipe is crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. I love cooking chicken thighs in the air fryer because the result is crispy air fryer chicken that my kids devour. These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are perfect for a busy weeknight or for trying new air fryer recipes. Making thighs chicken this way is so easy, and the thighs recipe never disappoints.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening the sauce)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional for garnish: sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken thighs dry using a paper towel. Dry chicken is key to getting that crispy skin. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place the chicken thighs in the basket, skin side down. Cook for 12 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, pour orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water. Slowly stir it into the sauce and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
When the chicken is done, you can either toss it in the sauce or drizzle the sauce over each piece. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top if you want it to look fancy.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the chicken with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. The kids loved it, my husband loved it, and honestly, I loved it too because it was fast, easy, and delicious.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It is fast and easy and does not take hours in the kitchen.
- It is family friendly because the sweet and tangy flavor works for all ages.
- You can meal prep by cooking the chicken ahead and storing the sauce separately. Reheat in the air fryer before tossing it together.
- It has comfort food vibes with crispy, sticky, and flavorful chicken.
Meal Prep Tips for Air Fryer Orange Chicken Thighs
- Cook the chicken ahead of time and store it separately from the sauce. This way you can reheat the chicken in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes before tossing it with sauce, and it will stay crispy.
- Make a big batch of the orange sauce and freeze leftovers in small containers or ice cube trays. This makes it super easy to have a quick meal ready anytime you need it.
- Pair the chicken with simple sides like rice, quinoa, or roasted veggies. You can cook the sides ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a full weeknight dinner that just needs reheating.
- If you want to save even more time, trim the chicken and season it in advance. Keep it in the fridge overnight so it is ready to go in the air fryer the next day.
- Use meal prep containers to portion the chicken, sauce, and sides separately. This keeps everything fresh and makes lunch or dinner a breeze.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped green onions on top just before serving. You can prep these toppings ahead of time too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can cook the chicken ahead and store it in the fridge separately from the sauce. Reheat the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes before tossing it in the sauce to keep it crispy.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce. Cook for a minute or two until it becomes thick and glossy.
Can I double the recipe for a big family meal?
Definitely. You may need to cook the chicken in batches so it has enough space in the air fryer and gets crispy. The sauce can be doubled and heated in a larger pan.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Yes, you can add a pinch of red chili flakes or a little sriracha to the sauce for a mild kick. Adjust according to your family’s taste.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Thighs Recipe Card
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water for thickening
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional for garnish: sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry using a paper towel. Dry chicken makes the skin crispier. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place the chicken thighs in the basket, skin side down, and cook for 12 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crispy.
- In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until thick and glossy.
- When the chicken is done, toss it in the sauce or drizzle the sauce over each piece. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top if desired.
- Serve with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. The chicken stays crispy even when reheated, making it perfect for meal prep.
Notes
Tips
- Cook the chicken and store it separately from the sauce to keep it crispy. Reheat in the air fryer before tossing with sauce.
- Freeze leftover sauce in small containers or ice cube trays for quick future meals.
- Pair with rice, quinoa, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
- Trim and season the chicken ahead of time to save prep time.
Variations
- Add a pinch of red chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Use boneless chicken thighs for quicker cooking, but adjust the air fryer time to about 10-12 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions for extra freshness.
- Try swapping honey with maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness.
I have to say, making air fried chicken thighs has become one of my favorite ways to get dinner on the table without losing my mind. These air fried chicken thighs are crispy, juicy, and full of flavor, and they make everyone in my house happy. Cooking air fried food like this really saves time and feels like a little treat on busy weeknights.
I love how easy it is to air fry chicken thighs. Whether you are trying new air fryer recipes, following air fryer chicken thighs recipes, or just want air fryer fried chicken that actually turns out perfect, this recipe works every time. Using bone-in chicken thighs with simple chicken thigh seasoning recipes makes a huge difference. It is hands down the best chicken thigh recipe air fryer that I have tried in a long time.
These air fryer chicken thighs come out golden and crispy, and the meat stays tender. I use this method for air fryer recipes chicken thighs, air fryer thighs, and even air fry chicken thighs for meal prep. Every time I make airfryer chicken thighs, my kids ask for seconds. This is one of those chicken thighs air fryer recipes that is easy to follow, tasty, and perfect for cooking chicken thighs on busy nights.
If you love crispy air fryer chicken or crispy air fryer chicken thighs, this is a recipe you will want to save. It is simple, fast, and one of my favorite new air fryer recipes. Making thighs chicken this way is stress free, and the thighs recipe always comes out perfectly. Honestly, this is the kind of chicken thighs recipe that I will be making again and again because it keeps my family happy, full, and asking for more.
