Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy and make a simple recipe. I love the crispy skin that the air fryer gives to chicken thighs and how little clean-up is involved. You can change up the spices that are used in the marinade depending on what you have on hand. 

AIR FRYER MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN THIGHS

You are going to love this low carb, easy recipe for crispy chicken thighs!

My new favorite way to cook chicken thighs is air frying them.

There is something about air fryer chicken recipes – I think it is the crispy outer skin that is just so good.

The three things I love most about my air fryer: very little clean-up, no heating up your house in the summer months and the tender, juicy and crispiness the air fryer produces. 

When it comes to chicken thighs it really helps to hold in the juices and create a tender, mouthwatering piece of chicken.

Air fryer recipes are my favorite because they are perfect for a busy weeknight.

I like to make a variety of recipes like this Air Fryer Cod, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders and these Air Fryer Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders. 

You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs but I personally think the bone-in helps keep the juices in the chicken.

I also believe that the brand you purchase impacts the end flavor and tenderness of the chicken.

My favorite thing about Smart Chicken is that they use an air-chilling process rather than cold water, which creates a more tender chicken.

Smart Chicken is a Midwest company – as a Midwest girl for most of my life this makes me happy.

I am all about supporting local companies.

While most chicken brands are in the deep south they took a much broader view, opting to locate where the natural resources necessary to operate to their standards were most readily available, and available in a manner with the least potential adverse impact on the environment.

In celebration of Earth Day, which was last month, I love that Smart Chicken is committed to helping our environment and holds this as a value of their company.

Recipe Ingredients

• CHICKEN THIGHS
• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 
• RED WINE VINEGAR
• LEMON 
• GARLIC
• OREGANO
• THYME
• PAPRIKA
• CUMIN
• CAYENNE PEPPER

FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SALAD

• TOMATOES
• CUCUMBERS
• GREEN ONIONS
• FRESH PARSLEY 
• FETA CHEESE
• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 
• LEMON JUICE
• GARLIC
• SUMAC OR ZA’ATAR 

How do you Make Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken

Trim fat from the chicken as necessary and pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.

In a large ziplock bag or a large container add the chicken.

In a small bowl combine the olive oil, lemon, zest, garlic cloves, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and mix well.

Pour the marinade over the chicken and massage the marinade into the meat until the meat is coated with the marinade.

Refrigerate for two hours in a sealed ziplock bag or an airtight container.

Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees for 5 minutes.

Spray the air fryer with a little oil or cooking spray. 

Depending on the size of your air fryer you will have to work in batches. My air fryer can cook 4 thighs at a time.

Take the chicken thighs out and lay them skin side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Put the remaining chicken thighs back in the fridge in the container or ziplock until you are ready to use them.

Close the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Open and flip the chicken thighs so the skin is up.

Cook for another 14 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer. 

If you want extra crispy skin you can cook in increments of 2 minutes until you get the crispiness you like.

Tips for Making These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

• Mediterranean Salad: When you serve these air fryer chicken thighs I suggest creating the simple Mediterranean salad provided in the recipe or you could make this Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Bean Salad or this Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts to serve with it.
• Marinade: Today’s Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Thighs uses one of my favorite Mediterranean inspired marinades from this Greek Marinated Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce recipe.
• Over-Crowding: You want to make sure not to overcrowd the chicken in the air fryer. This prevents the hot air from coming up through the air fryer. I can fit 4 chicken thighs in mine with space between each ensuring juicy chicken thighs every time.

• Flipping: Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through to ensure the chicken cooks evenly. I start with the skin side down so the chicken cooks evenly to the bone and the skin gets a nice browning this way.
• Spices: I gave you a Mediterranean marinade to use for this chicken but you can use any combination of olive oil and spices. It can be as simple as a simple seasoning, an Italian marinade or use a yogurt marinade like in this Mediterranean Chicken.
• Paper Towel: It helps to use a paper towel to dry off the chicken thighs before you marinade them or add spices. This helps to release the moisture which in turn helps the skin crisp.

How Long do you Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer?

The cooking time on air fryer chicken thighs depends on if you are using bone-in, skin-on or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Here is the rule of thumb when it comes to how long to cook chicken thighs in the air fryer.

• Bone in, skin-on chicken thighs: This is my favorite cut of chicken thighs to use because the bone and skin helps create the most tender, juicy chicken thigh ever. You will air fry these at 380 for a total of about 25 minutes, flipping half way. If you want extra crispy skin you can up the temperature to 400 and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
• Boneless skinless chicken thighs: You will once again cook the chicken at 380 degrees in the air fryer. It will only take about 15 minutes, flipping halfway, since there is no bone in this cut of chicken.

For both you the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the juices should run clear. 

Other Chicken Recipes You Might Like:

HEALTHY CHICKEN FINGERS

SUN-DRIED TOMATO GOAT CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

CHICKEN SOUVLAKI

MOROCCAN CHICKEN THIGHS

GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH A GREEK MARINADE

AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS

AIR FRYER CHICKEN BREASTS

Today post is sponsored by Smart Chicken.