Bold and spicy air fryer jerk chicken thighs are a weeknight dinner recipe game changer! Tender and juicy bone-in thighs are marinated in a vibrant combination of Jamaican jerk spices, soy sauce, and lime juice. Then air fry in less than 30 minutes for a quick, easy, and delicious chicken dish with the most irresistibly crispy skin!
Also try chipotle chicken thighs air fryer recipe and Trader Joe's pollo asado chicken. So good!
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Many of the best (and my favorite!) recipes require very little effort but pack LOTS of flavor. These air fryer jerk chicken thighs are a perfect example of a main dish that tastes delicious and exciting... But really, this recipe is as easy as it gets!
Classic Jamaican jerk chicken seasoning is the best kind of spicy: There is a lot of hot pepper heat but with an incredibly deep, sweet and smoky flavor. We combine this spice blend with a handful of simple ingredients, like soy sauce and lime juice.
Together they create a yummy marinade that fully infuses the chicken with flavor and perfectly tenderized the meat. So in every bite you get a serious kick of smoky spiciness, but without getting fully scorched.
Marinate the thighs for as little as 30 minutes - or, to make dinner super convenient, you can even prep the evening before and marinate them overnight. When you are ready to cook simply place the chicken directly in the air fryer.
Then let the countertop appliance works its magic! In under 30 minutes the fork-tender jerk chicken thighs with beautifully crisp skin are ready to enjoy with your favorite Caribbean-inspired side dishes!
Recipe ingredients
- Chicken Thighs, Bone-In, Skin-On: The chicken thighs are the main component of the dish. Using bone-in, skin-on thighs ensures the meat remains juicy and flavorful during cooking. The skin crisps up nicely, adding texture and flavor.
- Jerk Seasoning: This is a key ingredient that gives the dish its distinctive jerk flavor. Jerk seasoning is a mix of spices and herbs including allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, cinnamon, and cloves. It can be store-bought or homemade, and it adds a spicy, sweet, and aromatic profile to the chicken.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to help coat the chicken and adhere the jerk seasoning to the meat. It also aids in cooking, helping to crisp the skin and keep the chicken moist.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds umami, a savory depth of flavor. It also contributes to the color and provides a bit of saltiness to the dish.
- Lime Juice: The acidity from lime juice helps to balance the flavors, cutting through the richness of the chicken and the heat of the jerk seasoning. It also adds a fresh, citrusy note.
- Minced Garlic Cloves: Garlic adds a pungent, slightly spicy flavor that complements the other ingredients. Minced finely, it integrates well into the marinade, infusing the chicken with more depth.
- Salt and Pepper: These are basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish. They should be used according to personal preference, keeping in mind that the jerk seasoning and soy sauce already contain salt.
How to cook air fryer jerk chicken thighs
Begin by preparing the marinade in a large bowl. Combine jerk seasoning, olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, whisking until uniform. Coat the chicken thighs thoroughly with this marinade. For deeper flavor infusion, let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally, cover and refrigerate it for several hours or overnight.
Before cooking, make sure your air fryer basket is clean and dry. Place the marinated chicken thighs in the basket, skin-side up, in a single layer to allow even cooking and proper air circulation.
Set your air fryer to 380°F and cook the chicken for about 20-25 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, flip each thigh carefully using tongs or a spatula to avoid piercing the skin, which helps retain juices.
To make sure the chicken is fully cooked, check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach at least 165°F at the thickest part. Once done, remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is moist and flavorful. Serve the jerk chicken thighs as you wish, possibly accompanied by a side of rice, vegetables, or a fresh salad. This method yields flavorful, juicy, and perfectly cooked jerk chicken thighs with a delightful balance of spicy, tangy, and savory notes.
Storage instructions
To store leftover jerk chicken thighs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For reheating, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed and the skin is crispy again. Check to ensure they're heated through before serving.
Expert tips
- The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be. Overnight marination is ideal, as it allows the spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
- If you're sensitive to heat, adjust the amount of jerk seasoning to suit your taste. Conversely, if you enjoy spicier flavors, consider adding a bit more.
- Cook the chicken thighs skin-side up initially to help the skin crisp up. Crispy skin adds texture and flavor to the dish.
- Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Use a meat thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat when its internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Frequently asked questions
A thick wet batter will drip all over the place and make a mess in the air fryer basket. But marinated chicken thighs aren't nearly as drippy. Just be sure to let the chicken drain off excess marinade for a moment in/over the marinating container before air frying.
To help cut down on mess, consider adding a piece of parchment paper under the chicken.
The spice blend is really what makes a food "jerk" or not. It can be included in a wet marinade, like in this recipe. Or the seasonings can be applied to the chicken skin as a dry spice rub... Either way, it's jerk chicken!
The point of marinating is to tenderize the meat while infusing it with flavor. However, the fibers of any animal protein will start to break down after a certain period of time in an acidic marinade. (Here we use lime juice.) Chicken that is marinated for over 24 hours runs the risk of becoming mushy.
Yes, you can put raw skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs right in the air fryer. They will cook beautifully!
They certainly do... And without all of the oil needed for traditional deep frying!
The air fryer dissipates and circulates oil from the marinade at a very high heat all around the food. So the outside gets nice and crispy, even with just the tiny bit of oil that is in the marinade.
Yes. Use tongs to flip the thighs halfway through the cook time so they fry evenly on both sides.
The flavor of jerk chicken is spicy and smoky, with a hint of sweetness. The seasoning blend is made with red pepper flakes and fiery scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, which are much spicier than jalapenos.
The heat is balanced with other more mild spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, garlic and ginger. And bit of sweet brown sugar also rounds out the spiciness.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F to be considered safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to test a deep part of the thigh, without touching the bone.
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Hope you will like this air fryer jerk chicken thighs recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Recipe
Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the jerk seasoning, olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat the chicken thighs evenly with this marinade. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- No need to preheat. Just make sure the air fryer basket is clean and dry.
- Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side up. Make sure they're not overlapping for even cooking.
- Cook at 380°F for 20 minutes. Halfway through, flip the chicken thighs to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
- Chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.
- Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain the juices, making the chicken moist and flavorful.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of jerk seasoning based on your spice preference.
- Serving suggestions: Jerk chicken pairs well with sides like coconut rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
- Always be cautious when cooking chicken to ensure it's fully cooked for safe consumption. Insert meat thermometr in to the thickest part of the thighs, it should be at least 165 degrees.
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