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Make the best air fryer boneless chicken thighs with smoky blackened seasoning and refreshing avocado crema! This low-carb recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes for the perfect weeknight meal.
Boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer come out perfectly juicy and tender with this easy weeknight recipe! Coated in bold blackened seasoning, boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook up perfectly tender in the air fryer. You get just the right amount of crispy, charred edges with minimal oil and cleanup!
To balance out the smoky heat, we served this chicken with an unbelievable avocado crema. This easy, thick sauce takes “refreshing” and “flavorful” to the next level with zest and juice from fresh limes. Serve this keto-friendly recipe with a simple salad, use it for tacos, or make the best chicken sandwich of your life!
Blackened Chicken Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you will need. Scroll to the printable recipe card for exact measurements.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – These cook quickly and stay super juicy. You can swap these out with bone-in cuts for more flavor, chicken breasts to make it leaner, or tenderloins to make it quicker. The timing will be different based on the size and cut, so just be sure to cook to 165 degrees F.
- Oil – Choose something neutral and high-quality with a higher smoke point. Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil have worked great for me.
- Seasonings: Paprika (smoked paprika for richer flavor), Italian seasoning, Dried oregano, Garlic powder, Kosher salt, Chili powder, Onion powder, Cumin, Black pepper, and Cayenne pepper (optional – only use if you like it spicy)
Optional avocado crema ingredients:
- Avocados – Use large, ripe avocados for the best texture and flavor.
- Chopped onion, Jalapeno (seeded), Garlic, Cilantro, and a Lime – These are blended in with the avocado for a super flavorful mash. If you hate cilantro, swap with parsley. You will want a fresh lime as the zest and juice are both used.
- Sour cream – Full fat or reduced fat/light will work fine. I have not tried it, but I imagine you could replace this with plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese that has been blended until smooth if you would like to add more protein.
- Cumin, Salt, and Pepper – These flavorings bring out the best in the rest of the ingredients. You can adjust these to taste.
How long to cook boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer
You can have this easy chicken dinner on the table in 20 minutes! Simply preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes while you season the thighs. Combine all the spices in a small bowl, then sprinkle them over chicken thighs that have been coated in the oil.
Toss the chicken well so that each bite is covered in the seasoning, then cook for 15 minutes total. Halfway through the cooking time (about 7-8 minutes in), flip the thighs for even cooking. When a meat thermometer registers at least 165 degrees F, they are ready.
How do I make avocado crema?
This couldn’t be easier; it doesn’t even involve cooking! Simply toss all of your crema ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Taste, then add in extra lime juice, salt, and pepper based on your personal preference. If you want a thinner sauce to drizzle, blend in 1 tablespoon of water at a time until you are satisfied.
Serve
You can make so many different meals with this recipe! For sandwiches, slice or shred the chicken, smear the avocado cream on a bun (or chaffles for a keto sandwich), and call it a day. Need an easy lunch? Pair the chicken and crema with a baked sweet potato or easy salad! It’s fantastic with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, and kids will love it with these keto fries.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the chicken to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To store them longer, freeze for up to 3-4 months (thaw completely before reheating). You can reheat these in the microwave (1 minute increments at 50% power), in the oven (350 for 5-10 minutes), or in the air fryer (350 for 3-4 minutes). To prevent them from drying out, I like to give them a few spritz of water before reheating.
Tips and Variations:
- This cooking method can be used on any cut of chicken. Just remember that different cuts will require different cooking times, so rely on that meat thermometer.
- Try different seasonings if you would like! We love this with Cajun seasoning, taco season, BBQ rub, and so much more. Try your favorite seasoning blend for fun variety!
- Switch up your crema. Add some chipotle seasoning, swap lime for lemon, skip the herbs, add a dash of ranch seasoning… This recipe is super versatile, so experiment by adding or subtracting ingredients a little at a time!
More air fryer chicken recipes
- Cajun Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Crispy Parmesan Chicken Tenderloins
- Asian-Inspired Chicken Legs
- Buffalo Chicken Wings
Blackened Chicken Thighs (air fryer)
Equipment
Ingredients
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as olive or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika, smoked paprika if you prefer, this adds a deeper, richer flavor
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, completely optional, only use if you like spice
Avocado Creama
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 1 jalapeno, seeded
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- zest from one lime
- juice from 1/2 a lime
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Thighs:
- Combine all of the spices in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl toss the chicken with the oil, sprinkle with the spices and toss to coat. Make sure the chicken is completely coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes. Once warmed, add the chicken to the air fryer and cook 7 minutes, flip and continue cooking another 7-8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
For the Avocado Crema:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If needed add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to thin the sauce.
- Adjust the lime, salt and pepper based on your personal preference.
Notes
- Net carbs per serving (chicken only): 1.1 g
- Avocado crema nutrition per 2 tablespoons:
- Calories: 60, Carbohydrates: 2.8g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 5.2g, Cholesterol: 6.7mg, Sodium: 7.2mg, Fiber: 1.7g, Sugar: 0.6g.
- Net carbs per 2 tablespoons of avocado crema: 1.1 g
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
