Easy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs
These Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs are mouthwateringly juicy! Not to mention they are extremely easy to make. These breaded chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer too! You’ll wish you made a double batch! Our easy air fryer breaded chicken thighs recipe offers a quick dinner idea with chicken, perfect for busy weeknight meals or picky eaters.


Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are my go-to. When I tell you my freezer is filled with chicken thighs, I’m not lying. The dark meat chicken is just juicier and more tender than white meat chicken.
Some of my favorite chicken thighs recipes are: Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Thighs, Easy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs, and these Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs.

❤️ Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe
- Budget Friendly – Chicken thighs are very reasonably priced, and if you get bone-in chicken thighs, save the bones to make your own chicken bone broth!
- Quick and Easy Recipe – This recipe only has a few ingredients and takes 14 minutes to cook!
- Meal Prep – Chicken thighs are a great option for meal prep. These aren’t the healthiest option since they are breaded, but they’re still a good meal prep idea as long as you aren’t following a keto or gluten-free diet.
- Delicious – This recipe is so good. The whole family will be wanting seconds!
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Egg
- Milk
- Italian Breadcrumbs
- Seasoning: salt and black pepper

✳️ Tips & Tricks
To ensure that the chicken stays moist, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Once it reaches 165F, remove it from the air fryer. Don’t overcook.
If you aren’t a fan of chicken fat, you can remove the chicken fat before you start breading the chicken.
Tools to make this Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
- Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
- Meat thermometer – You always want to make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken is 165°F.
How to make Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs
- Remove the chicken from the package.
- Add all the dry ingredients into one bowl. Add the egg and milk to another bowl.
- Whisk the milk and egg together until it’s fluffy. Mix together the dry ingredients.
- Add the chicken into the egg mixture, making sure you coat both sides. Transfer the chicken to the dry mixture. Coat both sides.
- Place the chicken into the air fryer basket, making sure not to overlap them.
- Spray them with Avocado oil and cook at 390F for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once the timer goes off, check the internal temperature of the chicken to make sure it’s 165F.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve.








Oven Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Remove the chicken from the package.
- Add all the dry ingredients into one bowl. Add the egg and milk to another bowl.
- Whisk the milk and egg together until it’s fluffy. Mix together the dry ingredients.
- Add the chicken to the egg mixture, making sure you coat both sides. Transfer the chicken to the dry mixture. Coat both sides.
- Transfer the chicken thighs to a baking pan and place them inside the oven.
- Cook the chicken thighs for 20 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, remove the chicken from the oven and serve.
Substitutions
If you don’t have boneless skinless chicken thighs, you can use bone-in chicken thighs instead. You will just have to add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
As for the cooking spray, I tend to use avocado oil. I have this spray bottle where you just add your own avocado oil. That way there are no additives. Just plain avocado oil.
If you don’t have regular Italian breadcrumbs, you can use Panko breadcrumbs instead. Here is a great Air Fryer Panko Chicken recipe you can make! Super delicious and easy to make.

What to serve with Breaded Chicken Thighs
There are endless options you can serve with these chicken thighs. If you want savory sides, opt for creamy mac and cheese and southern green beans.
If you’re looking for healthier sides that you can cook in the air fryer, try broccolini and these sweet potatoes.
How to store
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 4-5 days.
♨️ How to reheat
Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until chicken is warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a microwave-safe plate to warm up.
If you want to warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.

❓FAQs
Can you use breading in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make breaded foods in the air fryer.
How long do you cook thighs in an air fryer?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs cook at 390F for 14 minutes. Bone-in chicken thighs cook at 390F for 18 minutes. Always make sure the internal temperature is 165F before serving.
Can I use panko bread crumbs instead of Italian bread crumbs?
Yes you can use panko instead of Italian bread crumbs in this recipe. The texture will just be a little more light and fluffy than if you used Regular bread crumbs.

More Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipes
If you loved these breaded chicken thighs in the air fryer, check out these other chicken thigh recipes.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Keto Chicken Thighs
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
- Katsu Chicken Thighs
- Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the chicken from the package.
- Add all the dry ingredients into one bowl. Add the egg and milk to another bowl.
- Whisk the milk and egg together until it’s fluffy. Mix together the dry ingredients.
- Add the chicken into the egg mixture making sure you coat both sides. Transfer the chicken to the dry mixture. Coating both sides.
- Place the chicken into the air fryer basket making sure not to overlap them.
- Spray them with Avocado oil and cook at 390F for 14 minutes flipping halfway through.
- Once the timer goes off check the internal temperature of the chicken to make sure it’s 165F.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve.
Nutrition
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Can I do this with boneless, skinless chicken breasts? If so, for how long and what temp? Thanks.