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    Home » Mains

    Spicy Sesame Chicken - Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    Published: Nov 12, 2022 · Modified: Sep 8, 2024 by Carmen Spillette · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 12 reviews

    Mouthwatering, juicy, and flavourful Spicy Sesame Chicken air fryer 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.

    spicy sesame chicken

    Only 8 ingredients, this air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs will wow you. 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.


    air fryer sesame chicken

    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)
    Spicy Sesame Chicken air fryer chicken thighs

    You can use bone-in chicken, with or without skin....


    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.

    spicy sesame chicken marinade ingredients
    Combine marinade ingredients
    spicy sesame marinade
    Mix in the chicken
    air fryer chicken thighs
    Air fry
    sesame chicken boneless skinless chicken
    Enjoy!

    TIPS FOR SUCCESS

    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.

    • 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 sambal can make it spicier or less spicy.
    • Use an instant meat thermometer.
    • Rest your meat for 5 minutes after cooking.
    • For quicker preparation, use bone-in chicken thighs. Add an extra 10 minutes of cooking time.

    air fryer thighs

    STORAGE AND REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS

    STORE - store the 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 THESE AIR FRYER BONELESS CHICKEN THIGHS

    Serve these air fryer chicken thighs with these amazing sides.

    • Garlic Braised Kale
      Garlic Braised Kale
    • Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice
      Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice
    • Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice
    • asian cabbage dumplings
      Asian Cabbage Rolls (no wrapper dumplings)

    More Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipes

    • Garlic Miso Chicken
      Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven)
    • baked chicken legs with gochujang
      Gochujang Baked Chicken Legs
    • Char Siu Chicken
      Easy Char Siu Chicken (Perfect Air Fryer BBQ Recipe)
    • air fryer chicken teriyaki
      Teriyaki Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    Spicy Sesame Chicken - FAQs

    How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?

    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.

    What temperature do you cook chicken in the air fryer?

    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.


    Print
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    best air fryer sesame chicken

    Spicy Sesame Chicken - Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 12 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    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. 

    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 2-4 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale

    6 boneless chicken thighs (skin-on or skinless)

    2 tbsp oyster sauce

    2 tbsp sesame oil

    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 for this)

    Instructions

    1. 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. 
    2. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees. 
    3. Trim your boneless chicken thighs. 
    4. Combine all the ingredients. Mix well. 
    5. Line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper. 
    6. Place your chicken skin side up on the tray. 
    7. Air fry at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Flipping it halfway. The internal temperature of the chicken should be over 165 degrees.

    Equipment

    Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer

    Air Fryer

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    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. 
    • Author: Carmen
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: mains
    • Method: air fryer
    • Cuisine: asian

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please comment down below! I would love to know how you liked it. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Ada

      August 07, 2024 at 1:20 pm

      This looks good😋






      Reply
    2. Karin Anderson

      January 03, 2024 at 7:19 pm

      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.






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        January 05, 2024 at 12:21 am

        All air fryers are different. Definitely, need to cook the chicken through. Great call on using a higher temp.

        Reply
    3. Emily Twanmo

      September 18, 2023 at 11:59 am

      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!






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        September 18, 2023 at 2:47 pm

        Thank you for making it! Yes, trimmimg the chicken fat takes the longest for me too.

        Reply
    4. Nancy P.

      September 04, 2023 at 3:49 pm

      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 🤣.






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        September 04, 2023 at 10:17 pm

        That is so sweet! Thank you.

        Reply
    5. Bruce

      September 04, 2023 at 3:45 pm

      🔥






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        September 06, 2023 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you Bruce

        Reply
    6. Daryn Williams

      September 04, 2023 at 3:44 pm

      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.






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        September 06, 2023 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    7. Barb

      September 04, 2023 at 3:40 pm

      This is a party in your mouth 🥳🥳🥳. Thanks Carmen, this was outstanding!






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        September 06, 2023 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    8. Jess Sampson

      September 04, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      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!






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        September 06, 2023 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    9. Edward

      September 04, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      Love this!!!!!! ❤️






      Reply
    10. BJones

      January 22, 2023 at 2:46 am

      Really simple and flavorful. I used hot honey, amazing. Will definitely make again.






      Reply
      • Carmen

        January 22, 2023 at 5:40 am

        thank you so much!

        Reply
        • Amy Thomas

          March 22, 2023 at 5:16 am

          Incredible!! Can't get enough of this dish and really easy to make.






          Reply
          • Carmen

            March 22, 2023 at 3:11 pm

            This is awesome to hear. Thank you!!!

            Reply
    11. Corey Moody

      November 23, 2022 at 1:44 am

      WOW! This was so incredibly good! I cannot wait to make this on repeat. Thank you for sharing it.






      Reply
      • Carmen

        November 24, 2022 at 4:36 am

        That is music to my ears. Thank you!

        Reply

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