Name: Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 29 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon salt

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These air fryer marinated chicken thighs are super juicy and flavor-packed! They're super easy to make for a simple yet delicious dinner the entire family will love.

Chicken pieces in the basket of an air fryer.

I'm all about meals that pack a ton of flavor with minimal effort, and these air fryer marinated chicken thighs totally fit the bill. You basically throw everything in a bowl, let it hang out for a bit, then toss it in the air fryer. It's that easy!

Don't let the simplicity fool you, though. Those chicken thighs come out golden brown, crispy-skinned, and ridiculously juicy, all thanks to that bright, zesty marinade. The mix of lemon, oregano, and garlic is a classic for a reason- it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why you'll love these air fryer marinated chicken thighs

It's super easy to make with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
The chicken thighs turn out incredibly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
The air fryer makes it healthier and way less messy than traditional frying.

Close-up picture of air fried marinated chicken.

Ingredients

Chicken - I like using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and juiciness. You can also use boneless chicken thighs but you'll have to reduce the cooking time.

Olive oil - This helps the marinade stick to the chicken and adds richness.

Garlic powder - A classic savory flavor that works perfectly with chicken.

Oregano - Brings a warm, slightly peppery note to the marinade.

Lemon juice - Adds a bright, acidic tang to balance out the other flavors.

Salt - Don't forget this! It enhances all the other flavors in the marinade.

How to make marinated chicken thighs in air fryer

Place the chicken thighs in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, lemon juice, and salt.

Toss everything together to coat the chicken evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat up for 5 minutes.

Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 12 minutes or until they're golden brown and cooked through.

Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Chicken thighs on a blue plate with lettuce on the side.

Recipe notes and tips

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. You want the hot air to circulate around the chicken for even cooking.
Use a meat thermometer for perfect air-fried chicken thighs. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
For extra crispy skin, start with the skin side down. This allows it to crisp up nicely.
This chicken is so versatile! It's great with roasted vegetables, a simple salad, or mashed potatoes. Or you could try it with my delicious chimichurri rice!
I tested this recipe in the COSORI Smart Air Fryer Oven Dual Blaze 6.4L. You might need to slightly adjust cooking times depending on your specific air fryer model.

Leftovers and storage

Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven until warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers, but they might not be as crispy.

If you liked this air fryer marinated chicken thighs recipe, you might also like some of my other cozy dinner recipes:

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