Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Marinated Chicken Thighs is a quick, healthy recipe that includes the cook time, temperature, and instructions for how long to cook fried chicken thighs using a Cook Essentials, Power Air Fryer, or any brand. You can use bone-in, boneless, fresh, or frozen chicken thighs.
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This post was originally written in 2019. It has since been updated.
FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Is anyone else obsessed with their air fryer? The air fryer delivers the perfect level of crisp and crunch to all of my favorite foods. I had to try chicken thighs in the air fryer because thighs are naturally juicy. They are also loaded with so much flavor!
Best of all, air fried chicken is perfect for a keto, low-carb lifestyle. So yes, chicken breasts will work just fine for this recipe.
Table of Contents
What Kind of Thighs to Use
You can use bone-in or boneless thighs. I used bone-in in this recipe. Those usually have a longer cook time. Boneless thighs are usually ready around 18-20 minutes.
You can use skin-on or skinless thighs. It will not impact the cook time.
How to Make Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
- I like to marinate the chicken first (at least an hour up to overnight), but it's totally optional.
- Place the chicken in a sealable plastic bag. Drizzle the chicken with fresh lime, soy sauce, season with chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle cilantro throughout. Marinate.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry.
How Long to Cook the Chicken/Cook Time
I typically cook chicken thighs in the air fryer for 20-22 minutes. I always use a meat thermometer. The chicken should cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
If you use a thermometer you will be able to gauge the timing no matter what air fryer brand you have.
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Air Fryer Temperature
I recommend 400 degrees.
Can You Use Frozen Chicken Thighs?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs. You may have to allow more time. You will still cook the chicken at 400 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
You can pair these Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs with my Keto Low-Carb Cauliflower Mash or Low-Carb Creamed Spinach.
Air Fryer Side Dishes
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Marinated Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs boneless or bone-in, Mine weighed 2 pounds total.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ lime juice of
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce or liquid aminos
- 1 teaspoon McCormick’s Montreal Chicken Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- You can choose to marinate the meat ahead of time or season the meat right before cooking. Personally, I prefer to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours (to overnight) beforehand.
- Drizzle the olive oil, fresh lime juice, and soy sauce (or liquid aminos) over both sides of the chicken thighs.
- Season the chicken with the chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. I like to add the chicken to a sealable plastic bag first and toss the chicken in the seasonings to evenly coat.
- Toss the cilantro into the bag. Marinate for 2 hours to overnight.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. You shouldn’t need to spray the basket with oil as the chicken is coated in olive oil, but do so, if you wish.
- Cook the chicken for 10 minutes on 400 degrees. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes.
- Total cook time will vary, as each air fryer brand cooks differently. Use a meat thermometer to assess when the chicken has finished cooking. The chicken is ready when it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. In addition, I like to cook it until the skin becomes tender.
- Open the air fryer and remove the chicken. Cool before serving.
- TIP: For added lime flavor retain the other half of the lime to squeeze fresh lime juice throughout the chicken.
Bryan says
This looks really good! I get tired of chicken recipes really fast so I like to try new chicken recipes all the time, Thank you!
Lisa says
This looks yum, do you have a recipe for these flavours cooked traditionally (not in an air fdyer) or tips on how to adjust this lease?
staysnatched says
Bake the chicken thighs on 375 degrees until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Wilhelmina says
This looks like a delicious dinner! Adding this one to menu this week!
Christina says
Oooh! This recipe is amazing! So crispy and flavorful!
Lila says
It was my first time making chicken on my air fryer and it was so good. Great, easy recipe, crispy and lots of flavor!
staysnatched says
Woo hoo to the first time!
Michelle says
One of my personal favorites to make because it’s easy as heck and I don’t like complicated recipes. My family prefers dark meat so this is great and you can add so many different sides to make it a great meal. Always a go to for me. Flavor is amazing and I LOVE cilantro and anything lime
staysnatched says
Same here! Such great flavor.
Elvira says
My first recipe in my first air fryer! It was so easy to make. The chicken came out crispy on the outside and just da bomb on the inside! I wish I could post a pic of it - it really was so pretty! LOL!
staysnatched says
I love that! Glad you enjoyed it!
Erika says
This was my first time making chicken thighs & they turned out perfectly! I made them in the oven since I don’t have an air fryer (yet) and they weren’t dry at all! This will be one of my new go to recipes because it was so easy & delicious! Thank you Brandi!!
staysnatched says
Chicken thighs are so juicy! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Kendyl says
This recipe was so easy and quick (even using frozen chicken thighs!) and SO yummy. I was happy to see I could use frozen chicken because I often forget to defrost chicken ahead of time and then am stuck on what to make for dinner. I love cilantro so I added extra to my recipe and put a bunch on top as a garnish as well. I will definitely be making this often!
staysnatched says
Yum! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Maddy says
These are so delicious! Super juicy and amazing flavor. I have made other cilantro lime chicken before and these were by far the best! Thank you!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Nielle says
Great flavor, super easy! Came out so crispy and perfect! So good that my sister after trying them bought a huge pack of chicken thighs and demanded that I help her prep them to freeze in the marinade using my food saver so she can pull them out when she’s she wants for an easy lunch.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sheila says
Would this recipe work with chicken breasts? Thanks!
staysnatched says
I have a recipe with the cook time for breasts. If you search the word breasts on my site, use that cook time and temperature.
Beejal says
SO GOOD! Its a bi-weekly staple now in our house! Husband hates cilantro and seems to love this! Thank you!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoy it.
Diana says
Easy to make and full of flavor. Chicken came out crispy. Just perfect.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Michael says
Made these for a quick dinner and they came out perfect! Super easy. Will try them with lime zest on the next go around.
staysnatched says
Yum that sounds so good!
Nicolina Gueriera says
Air frying chicken thighs is a game changer! I made these with barbecue sauce and they were so crispy and juicy. I used the same cooking time on the recipe and they turned out great.
staysnatched says
It sure is! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Danielle says
Followed the recipe exactly and these were delicious! So juicy and flavorful! Air fryer chicken is the best! Thank you for the great recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Sabrina says
I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and they came out great! Thanks
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Lilia says
I loved this recipe! The instructions are so easy to follow. I left the chicken thighs marinate over night and the flavor was so good! Love making sty snatched recipes!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Michelle says
Perfect, healthy, flavorful recipe for a busy weeknight that the entire family loved! Super quick prep in the morning and simply put in the air fryer when I got home from work. First time using my air fryer for chicken and definitely won’t be the last
staysnatched says
Yes! So glad to hear it!
Heather says
Yet another recipe that I will only do in my airfryer from now on. Also, it is so easy to adapt and use whatever seasonings you have on hand. I make this AT LEAST once a week.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Annalisa Mena says
Can't wait to try this version - I love your air fryer chicken thigh recipe from the book (with the honey mustard) - this flavor version looks right up our alley! THANKS 🙂
staysnatched says
I hope you love it.
Collier Lewis says
Made this for dinner tonight! I wanted something quick but amazing to pair with my salad. When I tell you I can’t wait for my lunch tomorrow!!!! This is so dang good please give it a try!
staysnatched says
Yay! Great for lunch leftovers.
Siria says
On point! Easy and delicious. I only had chicken breast so that’s what I used. I prefer chicken thighs so I will definitely be making this again soon.
staysnatched says
So glad you will make it again!