Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs Recipe

4.81 from 21 votes

Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs Recipe

Chili lime chicken thighs turn out so tender, moist, and juicy in my air fryer in under 20 minutes. They're so crispy and flavorful!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Marinate Time (Optional)30

Total Time20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 216kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 pound bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs thawed if frozen*
¼ cup lime juice from 2 limes**
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves minced fresh garlic
½ teaspoon ground paprika

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika; whisk together.
¼ cup lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika
Add the chicken and toss to coat the chicken evenly.
1 pound bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Optional: Place the bowl into the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray, then add the chicken thighs, skin side up.
Cook for 14 minutes at 375℉, or until the chicken registers 165℉ on an instant read thermometer.
Serve with rice and beans, or over a salad garnished with a lime wedge.

Notes

*You can use chicken legs (20-25 min), chicken strips (8-10 min), chicken wings (18-22 min), or chicken breasts (10-15 min) instead.

**For a more aromatic flavor rather than just sour acidity, add the zest of the 2 limes to the marinade.

Tips:

Before tossing the chicken in the marinade, pat the chicken skin bone-dry with paper towels. This will help the marinade stick and penetrate better.
For even more browning, add 1 tsp of honey or agave to the marinade.
Optionally add 1 tsp of soy sauce or fish sauce to the marinade for extra umami.
If you cannot fit all of the thighs in your air fryer basket with space between them, cook in batches to ensure proper airflow.
To help the chicken crisp, always turn, rotate or shake the air fryer basket about halfway through.
Internal temperature is more important than the timer. Check at the 12-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to seal in the juices.
Garnish with fresh cilantro after cooking to prevent wilting.
Serve with rice and beans, or slice and top a fresh salad with the chicken.

Grilling Instructions: Season and marinate the chicken thighs as directed, then place on a grill set over medium-high heat (375-450°F) and cook for 6-10 minutes per side.

Make-Ahead: Instead of waiting until dinner time, marinate the chicken during the day for a fuller flavor. You can marinate for up to 12 hours.

Storage: Store chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition