This is an easy Air fried Boiled chicken thighs recipe. It crisps up in the air fryer in less than 10 mins after which you’ll get juicy, tender and flavorful chicken thighs with crispy skin that’s perfect for dinner and can be served with rice dishes, potatoes or vegetables. Let me show you how to air fry boiled chicken in easy steps.
Why boiling chicken before air frying is a great option.
Boiling chicken thighs adds a ton of flavor to the meat. I am yet to see a dried out boiled chicken since it gets infused with moisture and seasoning during the process. Here are few more reasons to love this air fried boiled chicken thighs recipe.
- Chicken stock/ Broth: Wait! Don’t throw out the water you get from boiling chicken thighs. You can use it for any recipe that calls for chicken stock. Think rice dishes, soups, gravy etc
- Multiple uses: You can easily shred some boiled chicken for your pet (dogs and cats) and air fry the rest for other members of the family who love grilled crispy or oven broiled chicken.
- Well seasoned: The meats that are boiled tend to be well seasoned and full of flavor.
- Fully cooked: Sometimes chicken parts may be so large it takes a long time to cook in the air fryer without drying it out. Or you may find that the chicken is cooked but the bone area is still reddish. Boiling to the rescue. It not only adds moisture but ensures large chicken parts are fully cooked.
However, not all chicken have to be boiled before air frying especially boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts and if you are wondering if you should boil chicken before air frying, the answer is you don’t have to. It bores down to personal preference though you may want to consider the reasons listed above when making your decision.
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What you’ll need.
- Bone-in chicken thighs ( fresh or thawed)
- Onions
- Curry powder
- Ground garlic
- Thyme
- Ground ginger
- Parsley flakes
- Dried Oregano
- White pepper
Which boiled chicken thigh is best for air frying.
Though you can air fry both boiled bone-in and boneless chicken thighs, I find it unnecessary to use this method for boneless skinless chicken thighs because those cook super quickly in the air fryer.
This method is recommended for large bone-in chicken thighs and chicken drumsticks.
How to air fry boiled chicken thighs
Wash and trim off excess skin and fat. Add seasoning and onion. Cover pot with lid and boil the chicken till fully cooked. It would take 20 to 25 mins. For safe consumption, chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C
When it’s fully cooked, transfer meat onto a plate. Reserve the chicken stock for later. If you are making this recipe for use in sandwiches or for your dogs this is where you stop and shred the chicken. Otherwise proceed to the next step which is grilling in the air fryer.
Place chicken thighs in the air fryer and bake at 400°F / 200°C till skin crisps up. It should take about 7 to 8 mins.
**Quick tip on boiling meats. The water needs to be slightly salty to ensure that the chicken is well seasoned.
Best sides for this recipe
Chicken thighs can be served with a variety of side dishes some of which are listed below.
- Mashed potatoes
- Breakfast potatoes
- Fried
- Salads
- Rice dishes
How to store cooked chicken
Cooked chicken should be stored in an air tight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days. You can freeze for up to 2 months.
Air fryer Tips
- No need to preheat the air fryer or spray oil.
- You can air fry the boiled chicken for longer or shorter than stated in this recipe. It depends on how crispy you want it.
- Place the chicken skin side up so the skin gets the heat more. You may or may not flip the chicken to the other side, depending on the length of time you are cooking it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fry chicken after boiling it?
Yes you can. Though boiled chicken is fully cooked, air frying, deep frying, broiling or grilling adds more texture to the boiled chicken. It also enhances the flavor.
How many minutes do you boil chicken
Depending on the size and cut of the chicken, it can take anywhere from 15 to 30 mins. A whole chicken can take up to 90 mins. The important thing is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165°F / 74°C for it to be safe to eat.
Should you boil chicken before air frying?
You don’t have to boil chicken before air frying. Most of the air fryer Chicken recipes here at Air Fryer Yum were not boiled before air frying. However boiling does help with moist out flavor. You can give this recipe a try. You’d love it.
More Air fryer chicken thigh recipes
- Air fryer Greek chicken souvlaki on a stick
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer
- Air fryer Marinated chicken thighs
Check out our Air fryer chicken recipes and all Air fryer Recipes!
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Air fried Boiled chicken thighs
Equipment
- Pot with cover
- 5.8qt Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lbs Bone-in chicken thighs washed and trimmed (about 5 - 6 pieces)
- 1 Medium onion (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in a pot, add seasoning blend, salt and onions then add the water. Stir to combine.
- Cover pot and cook on medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes. You can use a kitchen timer if you have one.
- When cook time has elapsed, check chicken It should read 165°F / 74°C on an instant read meat thermometer to be fully cooked and safe for consumption. If it doesn’t, cook for another 5 mins and check again
- When Chicken is fully cooked, transfer chicken to a plate. Reserve the chicken stock for later use and use in any recipe that calls for broth.
Air fry
- Place cooked chicken in air fryer basket skin side up. Air fry at 400°F / 200°C for 7 to 8 mins. You don’t need to flip the chicken.
- Serve with favorite sides.
Notes
- Cook similar sized chicken thighs so they cook evenly. Large chicken thighs will take longer to cook than small thighs.
- Covering the pot with lid while cooking. It will help the meat cook faster and evenly.
- No need to preheat the air fryer.
- No need to use oil
Nutrition
NUTRITION DISCLAIMER
Nutritional information is an estimate and may change based on products used. Please read full nutrition disclaimer here.
I love boiling my chicken thighs too. I have tried both ways and love both. Thanks
You are welcome Sandra. Happy you found it helpful.