Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and flavorful. Mix up an easy sesame marinade with pantry ingredients and cook them in your air fryer in just 15 minutes.

Why I love It:

• 15 Minute Cook Time - Thighs cook super quickly in the air fryer!
• Easy Marinade - The teriyaki-inspired sesame marinade uses pantry staple ingredients.
• Meal Prep Friendly - I love to package them up in meal prep container with rice and veggies.

Ingredients You Need For Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Thighs:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - You can use chicken breasts as well, but the cook time will vary. Cook chicken breasts until they read 165 degrees F for the internal temp.
• Soy Sauce
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Brown Sugar - Or you can swap in honey
• Minced Garlic and Minced Ginger
• Sriracha - To add subtle spice to offset the sweetness. You can omit this if you don't want any heat.
• Green Onions and Sesame Seeds - For a garnish

How to Make Sesame Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer:

1. Marinate Chicken Thighs - In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, mix up the marinade. Add the chicken thighs to a bowl or bag and pour in about half of the marinade - toss so the chicken is coated. Reserve the other half of the marinade. Marinate the chicken in the fridge, covered, for up to overnight (I recommend at least 1 hour) and store reserved marinade in the fridge as well.
2. Add to Air Fryer - Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the chicken thighs. Discard any excess marinade in the bowl from the chicken
3. Air Fry - Air fry at 400 degrees F for 14-16 minutes, until the internal temp is 170-175 degrees F. If your air fryer is prone to smoking, my tip is to add a little water to the bottom of the basket (underneath the air fryer rack) to help dilute the dripping marinade.
4. Reduce Reserved Marinade - While the chicken thighs cook, reduce the reserved marinade in a small pot over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until it reduces slightly and thickens. This only takes a few minutes.
5. Serve - Serve the chicken thighs with your sides of choice, drizzle with the sesame sauce, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for chicken thighs to cook in the air fryer?

The cook time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken thighs, but most chicken thighs cook in about 15 minutes in the air fryer.

Can you stack chicken thighs in an air fryer?

For best results, cook the chicken thighs in an even layer and do not stack them. If you stack the thighs, they won't cook evenly and you won't get those great crispy edges and caramelization.

Recipe Tips:

• Use Thermometer to Check Internal Temp - This is the best way to know that chicken is fully cooked. The internal temp should be at least 165 degrees F, but I prefer 170-175 degrees F.
• More time to marinate the better - Although you can skip the marinade time if you're in a pinch. The longer marinade time will make the chicken extra flavorful.

Serving Ideas

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are super versatile and the serving options are endless. Here are some of my favorite pairings:

• Cooked White or Brown Rice
• Steamed Veggies - Like broccoli
• Asian-Inspired Noodles - Like these Garlic Sesame Ramen Noodles
• Asian-Inspired Salad - Like this Thai Quinoa Salad

Variations

Here are some easy variations to these air fryer chicken thighs:

• Chicken Breasts - You can swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs. For best results, I like to pound the breasts to an even thickness for even cooking. Air fry until the internal temp reads 165 degrees F.
• Store-bought Sesame or Teriyaki Marinade - Instead of mixing up your own marinade, you can use a store-bought sesame or teriyaki marinade as well!

Storage and Reheating

• Storage - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating - Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350 degrees F about 5 minutes until warmed.

Other Air Fryer Recipes:

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges - Flavorful, tender, and quick to make. Cut up some sweet potatoes, toss with oil and spices, then air fry! 
• Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Broccoli - Cooks in minutes. It is tender with crispy and roasted edges. The pairing of garlic and parmesan cheese is fantastic!
• Air Fryer Salmon - Takes only minutes to cook, is flavorful, healthy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Mix up a simple salmon seasoning to rub on the salmon filets.
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes - Super crispy skin, but tender and soft on the inside.

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