Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs are so flavorful and easy to make in the air fryer! They cook up quicker than in the oven, and have such a bold flavor with the chili and the lime. These chicken thighs are full of southwest flavors, and the chicken gets cooked to perfection.
I just love cooking chicken thighs in the air fryer. Crispy, delicious, and so flavorful.
And of course, I've tried creating recipes that don't work. And you guys don't ever see those here. Because I only post the winners. And this is a winner that I've been making again and again.
These chicken thighs are full of southwest flavors. Cumin. Chili powder. Fresh lime juice. Just enough to perfectly balance out the flavors and have you planning when you'll make this again.
Ingredients
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Olive oil
- Lime juice + zest
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano
- Salt + pepper
Recipe tips
- All air fryers cook differently AND cook time can depend on the size of your chicken thighs. I recommend using a meat thermometer to accurately determine when your chicken thighs are cooked. This is the meat thermometer I have, and it's so easy to use. Chicken is technically cooked at 165 F, but chicken thighs are a little juicier when cooked to a temperature of 175-180 F, so that's what I usually do.
- Don't forget to rest the chicken for 5 minutes! That will allow the chicken to cool slightly, and will help keep the chicken juicy.
- These chicken thighs are still delicious reheated as is, or pulling off the chicken to use in a different dish. I used the chicken in a homemade pho soup, and it was so flavorful and tasty!
How to make southwest chicken thighs
First, I mix my seasonings together in a large bowl. If you want to marinate your chicken in the bowl, choose a bowl large enough.
This is with the lime zest and juice added!
Stir to combine all the marinade ingredients.
Pat your chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Remove any excess skin if desired.
Add your chicken thighs to the bowl, and mix all together (I typically use my hands), to make sure chicken thighs are coated in marinade and that it is well-distributed.
Like this! Then I cover this with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but up to 24 hours.
Preheat your air fryer on 400 F for 5 minutes, then add your chicken thighs, skin side down , and cook for 10 minutes.
Flip and cook for another 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken thighs. I like to cook mine to a temperature of 175-180 degrees F.
Let rest for 5 minutes, then dive in and enjoy!
Can you make this with boneless, skinless thighs?
Yes! For that, I recommend reducing the temperature to 380 F/190 C, and cooking for a similar amount of time.
Depending on the size of the chicken thighs, always test with a meat thermometer so that way they get cooked to perfection.
Serving ideas
I love serving these chili lime chicken thighs in so many ways and with so many dishes like these!
- Chipotle mashed sweet potatoes
- Crispy air fryer squash
- Tuscan kale salad with apples
- Air fryer sesame green beans
- Air fryer za'atar zucchini
- Curry roasted cauliflower
Want a basic recipe for chicken thighs that you can customize with whatever flavors you like? Try this air fryer bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs recipe.
Air fryer chicken recipes
- Air Fryer Honey Dijon Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Caprese Chicken
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
- Air Fryer Paprika Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Pretzel Chicken
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone in, skin on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lime zest and juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and juice and zest of one lime. Stir to combine.
- Take your chicken thighs and pat dry. Add the chicken to the large bowl, and stir so that marinade is well distributed over all the chicken thighs. Cover with plastic/cling wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours) to marinate.
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Add your chicken thighs to the air fryer, skin side down and cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches at least 165 F, but preferably 175-180 F.
- Remove, let rest for 5 minutes, and enjoy!
Notes
- Instead of a bowl, you can also add your marinade to a plastic bag and then add your chicken and marinade in a bag.
- Chicken is technically cooked at 165 F, but chicken thighs are a little juicier when cooked to a temperature of 175-180 F.
- Don't forget to rest the chicken for 5 minutes! That will allow the chicken to cool slightly, and will help keep the chicken juicy.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
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