Skip to Content

Easy Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Marinated Chicken Thighs

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.

air fryer keto low carb cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with lime and fresh cilantro
Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe in your inbox?

Enter your email below & we'll send it directly to you! Plus you’ll get new recipes, tips, and tricks from us every week!

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

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.

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

  1. I like to marinate the chicken first (at least an hour up to overnight), but it’s totally optional.
  2. 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.
  3. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket.
  4. Air fry.
raw chicken seasoned with cilantro and lime in a glass bowl

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.

air fryer keto low carb cilantro lime chicken thighs in an air fryer

Air Fryer Temperature

I recommend 400 degrees.

air fryer keto low carb cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with lime and fresh cilantro

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.

air fryer keto low carb cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with lime and fresh cilantro
air fryer keto low carb cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with lime and fresh cilantro
keto low carb air fryer cilantro lime chicken thighs in a white plate with cauliflower mash and green beans

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

keto low carb air fryer cilantro lime chicken thighs in a white plate with cauliflower mash and green beans

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 keto low carb cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with lime and fresh cilantro
Print Pin
5 from 22 votes

Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Marinated Chicken Thighs

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.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer marinated chicken, keto air fryer chicken thighs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
marinate 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 209kcal

Ingredients

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.

Video

Notes

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.
 
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1thigh | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 15g
Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Air Fryer?Check out our Air Fryer Accessories List for the best tools!
Tried this recipe? Mention @Stay_Snatched or tag #StaySnatched! The recipe instructions noted here are the property of Stay Snatched and subject to copyright. Please do not screenshot and share this recipe on social.
Join our Air Fryer and Instant Pot Facebook GroupClick here to join our Facebook Group!
Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelCheck out our YouTube Channel!
Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Recipe Rating




Siria

Saturday 29th of July 2023

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

Sunday 30th of July 2023

So glad you will make it again!

Collier Lewis

Tuesday 9th of November 2021

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

Friday 12th of November 2021

Yay! Great for lunch leftovers.

Annalisa Mena

Friday 15th of October 2021

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

Monday 18th of October 2021

I hope you love it.

Heather

Tuesday 5th of October 2021

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

Monday 11th of October 2021

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Michelle

Thursday 12th of August 2021

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

Monday 16th of August 2021

Yes! So glad to hear it!