Mouthwatering, juicy, and flavourful Spicy Sesame Chicken air fryer boneless chicken thighs cooked to perfection in the air fryer. This air fryer Asian chicken thighs are one of the easiest and most delicious chicken dishes you will ever have.
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Only 8 ingredients, this air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs will wow you. This Asian air fryer Great for meal planning for the week or impressing your guests. These air fryer chicken will be one of your favorites for years to come.
These Spicy Sesame Chicken are amazing and so easy to make. I took the sauce I created for my Sesame Braised Cabbage and turned it into a marinade. The sauce is so delicious that I turned it into a marinade.
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy, no need to marinade. Combine and cook.
- Using boneless chicken thighs will ensure a juicy chicken. To make your chicken healthier, remove the skin.
- Ready in only 30 minutes, TOTAL. Perfect for lazy days or busy nights.
- The sauce can be used in multiple ways. Stir fry sauce or marinades. Great for meal planning.
You can use bone-in chicken thighs
Air fryer chicken thighs are versatile. You can also use bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe. It is easier to cook with. No fuss. Add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time for a total of 30 minutes in the air fryer.
Ingredients and Substitutions
The ingredients in this recipe are pantry staples. These air fryer chicken thighs ingredients may be in your refrigerator or pantry. See the recipe below for the exact measurements.
- Boneless chicken thighs or bone-in chicken thighs
- Oyster sauce - substitute: vegan oyster sauce (made with mushrooms)
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Sambal (Chili Garlic)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Optional: Oven, baking tray
- Medium size mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
How to make these air fryer chicken thighs
This air fryer chicken thighs recipe is really easy to make. Combine, cook, and enjoy.
- Prep your marinade. Mince your garlic, and cut your green onions. Separate the white and the dark green part. Use the green part for garnish.
- Trim your boneless chicken thighs.
- Combine all the ingredients. Mix well.
- Line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper.
- Place your chicken skin side up on the tray.
- COOK: Air fry at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be over 165 degrees.
Top Tips
here are some tips to make sure you make the most incredible air fryer boneless chicken thighs that you will make over and over again.
- For quicker preparation, use bone-in chicken thighs. Add an extra 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Feel free to marinate this for 30 minutes up to overnight however, if you don't have the time, there is no need to marinate.
- Use fresh, not frozen, boneless chicken thighs. You can thaw out the chicken before adding the sauce.
- Adding or removing less chili oil can make it spicier or less spicy.
- Use an instant meat thermometer.
- Rest your meat for 5 minutes after cooking.
How to store and reheat
STORE - store the air fryer Asian chicken thighs leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
REHEAT - reheat in a microwave or the air fryer to get the skin nice and crispy again.
FREEZE - freeze the cooked boneless chicken thighs in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to serve with Spicy Sesame Chicken
Serve these air fryer chicken thighs with these amazing sides.
More air fryer Asian chicken thigh recipes
Spicy Sesame Chicken - FAQs
The cooking time depends on whether you are using bone-in or boneless. Regardless, always use an instant meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees or higher.
If using boneless, approximately 15 minutes in the air fryer.
If using bone-in, approximately 35 minutes, flipping halfway.
Temperature is 350-400 degrees.
With my extensive experience in cooking boneless chicken thighs, the best temperature to cook the chicken is between 350 - 400 degrees. Always use an instant meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees or higher.
Yes and no. You can easily adjust the level of spice in this recipe. I only put a little bit for a nice kick. Feel free to add more if you want it more spicy.
Spicy Sesame Chicken
Mouthwatering, juicy, and flavourful boneless chicken thighs cooked to perfection in the air fryer. This is one of the easiest and most delicious chicken dishes you will ever have.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: asian
Ingredients
8 boneless chicken thighs (skin-on or skinless)
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
3 cloves of minced garlic
2 stalks of green onions (White and green separated. Green part for garnish)
2 tbsp of sambal or chili oil (I love using Momofuku Chili Crisp for this)
Instructions
- Prep your marinade. Mince your garlic, and cut your green onions. Separate the white and the dark green part. Use the green part for garnish.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees.
- Trim your boneless chicken thighs.
- Combine all the ingredients. Mix well.
- Line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper.
- Place your chicken skin side up on the tray.
- Air fry at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Flipping it halfway. The internal temperature of the chicken should be over 165 degrees.
Notes
- No air fryer? No problem.
Roast in the oven at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees or over. - If using bone-in chicken thighs, cook for an extra 10 minutes. The total air fry time is 30 minutes. Flipping halfway.
RR says
Step 2 of your instructions say to"Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.", but then step 7 says "Air fry at 375 degrees...". Which is your recipe actually based on, 350 or 375?
Carmen Spillette says
Sorry typo. I always mean 375 degrees.
V says
I’m a newbie to cooking and need some advice - this chicken is good but I’m doing something wrong. I made this tonight and lathered it in the marinade but it doesn’t seem to “stay on” the chicken - and doesn’t look like the photos. I wish I could attach a photo of mine for reference 😂. Maybe it’s because I use an air fryer basket for my Ninja so maybe the marinade falls through? I definitely want to improve this but welcome any advice.
Ada says
This looks good😋
Karin Anderson says
Very nice! Cooking my bone-less thighs in a toaster oven with airfryer mode took quite a bit longer than 15 minutes, I would fry the thighs next time at 375ºF.
Carmen Spillette says
All air fryers are different. Definitely, need to cook the chicken through. Great call on using a higher temp.
Emily Twanmo says
Excellent and easy recipe with a nice spicy bite. My prep time was significantly greater to trim the thighs of fat, but well worth it! I highly recommend you try this!
Carmen Spillette says
Thank you for making it! Yes, trimmimg the chicken fat takes the longest for me too.
Nancy P. says
Made this in my airfryer and it's one of my favorite dishes I've ever made using it. My husband has requested it 3 times in the last week and he's one of the pickiest eaters I've ever met 🤣.
Carmen Spillette says
That is so sweet! Thank you.
Bruce says
🔥
Carmen Spillette says
Thank you Bruce
Daryn Williams says
I never write reviews, but this spicy sesame chicken is one of the best chicken dishes I've ever tasted. I baked mine instead of using an air fryer, but it still turned out incredibly well.
Carmen Spillette says
Thank you
Barb says
This is a party in your mouth 🥳🥳🥳. Thanks Carmen, this was outstanding!
Carmen Spillette says
Thank you
Jess Sampson says
Made this for my family Sunday get together and it stole the show. So easy to make and the flavor is out of this world!
Carmen Spillette says
Thank you
Edward says
Love this!!!!!! ❤️
BJones says
Really simple and flavorful. I used hot honey, amazing. Will definitely make again.
Carmen says
thank you so much!
Amy Thomas says
Incredible!! Can't get enough of this dish and really easy to make.
Carmen says
This is awesome to hear. Thank you!!!
Corey Moody says
WOW! This was so incredibly good! I cannot wait to make this on repeat. Thank you for sharing it.
Carmen says
That is music to my ears. Thank you!