Air fryer chipotle chicken thighs are a bold and delicious main dish that's easy to make in under 30 minutes! This no-fuss recipe requires just 5 ingredients, like spicy and smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and juicy bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs. There's no need to marinate - simply coat the thighs and air fry to golden crisp and tender perfection!
Air fryer BBQ chicken thighs is another great recipe for you to try. Juicy chicken thighs in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce.
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Break up your regular weekly meal routine with this fast and fiery chicken recipe! Chipotle chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer are what you need to bring some excitement to the dinner table... But with barely any fuss and minimal cleanup.
Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are one of our favorite proteins: They're readily available at nearly any grocery store, are budget-friendly, and are unbelievably flavorful.
The delectably fatty skin and hearty, tender meat means there is no need to marinate for long periods of time. Just coating the thighs in a simple marinade and quickly air frying at high heat is enough to infuse every bite with big flavors!
In this recipe we cover the thighs in a bit of salt, pepper, and plenty of spicy chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce... That's it! The thighs go straight into the fry basket without marinating.
Then cook for only 20 minutes, until the chicken thigh reach proper internal temperature and the skin is evenly crispy. The meat is an irresistible balance of smoky, spicy, juicy, tender, and crisp tastes and textures. In a word: WOW!
Recipe ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs are dark meat pieces. These cuts are fattier and more flavorful than breast meat. Choose thighs that are uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Salt and Pepper: Use a bit of each to taste. A generous amount of salt is always suggested to really enhance the meat's rich flavor. The chipotle peppers have a good kick of heat, so keep that in mind when adding ground black pepper.
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil: The air fryer is able to "fry" skin-on chicken with just a small fraction of the amount of oil used in traditional pan or deep frying! Use a high-quality EVOO for the most rich consistency and best flavor.
- 2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: These are made with dried chili peppers canned in a rich and zesty tomato puree. You will be chopping the peppers to coat the chicken; reserve the leftover sauce in the can to use in all kinds of other spicy Tex Mex-inspired dishes!
How to cook chipotle chicken thighs in air fryer
Dry the chicken thighs with paper towels. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the thighs. Then put the chopped chipotle peppers on top, pressing them onto the chicken.
Turn on your air fryer to 380°F. This temperature helps cook the chicken just right.Put the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket. Make sure they're not too close together. Pour the olive oil over the chicken to help it get crispy.
Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 10 minutes. This starts to cook the chicken and makes the skin crispy.
Use tongs to flip the chicken over. Cook it for another 7-10 minutes. The size of the thighs might change the cooking time a bit. Check the chicken is done by seeing if it's 165°F inside with a food thermometer. This temperature means it's safe and ready to eat.
Once done, wait a few minutes before eating. This helps the chicken keep its juices, so it's really tasty.
Side dishes
Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, and peas lightly steamed, seasoned with a pinch of salt and a dab of butter.
Garden Salad: Mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Potatoes mashed with garlic, milk, and a touch of butter for creaminess.
Coleslaw: Shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with a light mayo or vinegar dressing.
Leftovers and reheating
To store leftover chipotle chicken, first let the chicken cool down. Then, place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 4 months.
To reheat chipotle chicken leftovers in an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F. Place the chicken in the basket, making sure they're not overlapping, and heat for 4-7 minutes until thoroughly warm. Check the warmth, and once heated, your chicken is ready to enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can absolutely can! Air frying is an easy an efficient method to cook raw chicken.
Rubbery chicken is usually overcooked chicken. Check the doneness of the thighs on the low end of the cook time, and only cook additionally as needed. Also, do not try to speed things up by increasing the air fryer temperature... 380 is perfect for crispy skin and moist thigh meat.
It does - and it is delicious! Air fryers are renowned for their ability to cook at a consistent temperature all around the food. This is ideal to get chicken skin evenly crisp, while not overcooking the meat.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are decidedly spicy. They have a strong bite, but not as much heat as spicier peppers, like habanero. What really makes the chipotle notable is the slightly sweet, smoky taste that balances the spiciness.
Yes, use tongs to flip the chicken thighs halfway through air frying for a truly even cook on all sides.
Yes, you can air fry frozen bone-in and skin-on thighs. Coat the meat the same way as directed in the recipe. Add 5 minutes to cook time per side; therefore, air fry for 15 minutes, flip, and continue cooking 10-15 minutes until done.
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Hope you will like this chipotle chicken thighs air fryer recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Recipe
Chipotle chicken thighs air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce finely chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and cover with finely chopped chipotle peppers.
- Set your air fryer to 380°F.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil. Air fry for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs and continue to air fry for another 7-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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