I make AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS very often for dinner, they are so easy to make, crispy from the outside, so juicy and flavourful from the inside. I serve this as a starter along with the yummy coriander sauce. Many times I make a complete meal by serving this with some flavoured rice and salad. It goes perfectly well with some pasta or even naan/roti.
THE MARINADE
We will make a quick and simple marinade with a few spices and some dried herbs. I prefer to use skinless chicken thighs, just to cut some calories because the thighs are already high in fat. If you prefer thighs with skin on you can go for it. I usually give some cuts to the chicken thighs, this allows all the flavours of the marinade to go deep into the chicken. But somehow this time I totally forgot to do that. But I suggest you give 2 to 3 deep cuts to the thighs before marinating.
In a large bowl add 6 chicken thighs. Add yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, oil, ginger garlic paste, salt, paprika, dried parsley and thyme. Rub the marinade well onto all the chicken pieces and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour. If you have more time, I suggest you marinate it overnight as overnight marination is the best.
AIR FRY THE CHICKEN THIGHS
Once the chicken is marinated place it in the air fryer basket. I personally like to line my air fryer basket with a parchment paper to prevent the toxins from getting into my food. Air fry the chicken at 190 Degree Celsius for about 30 to 40 minutes. Make sure you flip sides in between to ensure both sides have cooked evenly. Then I like to grill in the for another 2 to 3 minutes to have that charred effect on top of the chicken.
THE CORIANDER SAUCE
The dipping sauce for this chicken is my favourite, it makes a whole lot of difference and takes this recipe to a new level. In a blender add coriander leaves, garlic powder, salt, lemon juice and a dash of water. Blend until smooth and then add yogurt, this time we don’t blend it but just mix with the help of a spoon. This helps keep the sauce thick, if you blend it it becomes too runny and I do not like that.
HOW TO SERVE AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS
You can serve the chicken thighs as it is with the sauce, as a starter. If you want a complete meal you can serve with some simple flavoured rice along with some salad. It goes really well with a bowl of soup or some pasta. You can enjoy this in numerous ways and the options are endless.
THE PROCESS:
MORE CHICKEN RECIPES :
ONE POT TANDOORI CHICKEN AND RICE
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AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Yogurt
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest
- 1 Juice of whole lemon
- 1.5 tsp Red chilli powder
- 1 tsp Paprika Optional
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1.5 tsp Ginger garlic paste
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Dried parsley Optional
- 1 tsp Thyme Optional
THE CORIANDER DIPPING SAUCE
- 1/2 bunch Coriander leaves
- 1.5 tsp Garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Green chilli
- 3/4 Cup Greek yogurt ( or any thick yogurt)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper kitchen towel and make 2 to 3 slits with a help of a sharp knife.
- In a large bowl add the chicken thighs, yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, paprika, salt, oil, ginger garlic paste, parsley and thyme. Mix everything and massage the chicken well, so all the flavours of the spices are incorporated well with the chicken.
- Marinate the chicken for at least an hour in the refrigerator, however overnight marination is the best. If you have more time marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the air fryer 190 Degree Celsius.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side up.
- Air fry the chicken thighs at 190 Degree Celsius for about 30 minutes, by flipping sides half way through. Grill for another 2 to 3 minutes for a crispy outer layer.
THE CORIANDER DIPPING SAUCE:
- In a mixer jar, add coriander leaves, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and 1 tbsp water. Blend until smooth.
- Add yogurt and mix with the help of a smooth. The thick coriander sauce is ready to enjoy.
