Delicious Jerk Chicken Thighs Air Fryer – Spicy & Crispy in 20 Min
These juicy jerk chicken thighs are packed with bold Jamaican flavors and air-fried to crispy perfection in under 25 minutes! A fast and flavorful meal that’s perfect for those hectic weeknight dinners.
Equipment
- airfryer
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs silicon brush
- meat thermometer (optional but recommended)
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless)
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp oil olive or neutral
- Optional: minced garlic honey, Scotch bonnet (for extra heat)
Instructions
- Make Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine jerk seasoning, lime juice, soy sauce, oil, and optional garlic or honey.
- Marinate Chicken: Coat chicken thighs evenly in the marinade. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for a more intense flavor.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and let it preheat for 5 minutes before you start cooking.
- Air Fry Chicken: Place thighs skin-side up in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer — internal temp should be 165°F (74°C).
- Rest & Serve: Let chicken rest 3–5 minutes before serving.
Notes
💡 Pro Tips
- For extra crisp, pat the chicken dry before marinating.
- Use boneless thighs for faster cooking (~15–18 min).
- No Scotch bonnet? Use habanero or extra cayenne.
- Make your own jerk seasoning for full control of heat & sweetness.
- Rice & peas or coconut rice
- Grilled pineapple or mango salsa
- Air fryer carrots & potatoes
- Ginger lemonade or iced tea
- Fridge: Store in airtight container for 3–4 days
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months