Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs

These Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs are incredibly simple and quick to make and can be paired with so many sides to create a variety of meals. Save time and energy during your busy week days and whip up this recipe!

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Why you should make these Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs

If you’re looking for a dish that’s big on flavor and low on fuss, these Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs should be your next go-to. With a simple ingredient list centered around pantry staples that make up the Greek yogurt-based marinade, this recipe is as approachable as it is delicious. 

The yogurt not only adds a subtle tang but also tenderizes the chicken, locking in moisture and creating incredibly juicy, flavorful results every time.

Plus, the air fryer does all the heavy lifting, crisping the exterior to golden perfection while keeping the inside irresistibly moist—all in under 30 minutes.

What really sets this dish apart is its versatility. These curry-spiced chicken thighs can easily be the star of many meals: 

• sliced over a grain bowl
• wrapped in warm naan with crunchy veggies
• served alongside roasted vegetables or rice for a hearty dinner, and many more!

The flavor profile is bold but balanced, making it a major crowd-pleasing dish that’s great for weekly meal prepping or pulling together a quick dinner on the go.

With minimal prep required, a quick cook time, and endless ways to serve, this recipe is proof that simple ingredients can lead to a standout meal.

Ingredients needed

Here’s what you need to make these Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs:

• Chicken thighs
• 2% M.F. plain Greek yogurt
• Curry powder
• Salt and pepper

Substitutions and additions

If you don’t have some of the suggested ingredients or you would like to add something to the recipe, here are some recommendations:

• Chicken breasts
  • These can easily be used instead of chicken thighs in this recipe. This recipe calls for 8 chicken thighs so I would recommend using 4 chicken breasts.
• Higher or lower fat Greek yogurt
  • I like using 2% milk fat (M.F.) Greek yogurt because it provides a bit of creaminess while still being relatively low-moderate in saturated fat. However, you can still use a 0% or 5% M.F. Greek yogurt in this recipe. 
• Sour cream
  • Use sour cream if you don’t have any plain Greek yogurt available.
• Garlic cloves or garlic powder
  • I wanted to keep this recipe as simple and minimalist as possible but adding either minced garlic cloves or powder, would provide a great flavour.
• Coriander
  • If you want to add a herb to this dish, coriander, or dried cilantro, is a great option. Add about ¼ tsp of coriander to the marinade.

Equipment needed

For this recipe, the equipment you will need includes:

• A large bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• An air fryer. Here is the latest version of the 7-in-1 air fryer and grill that I use. This is another popular option.

These are optional tools but can make your life in the kitchen easier:

• Air fryer liners
• Tongs

How to make Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs

Here’s how to make this air fryer chicken recipe:

1. In a large bowl add the Greek yogurt, curry powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
2. Add the chicken thighs to the yogurt marinade and stir until the chicken is well coated. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight if desired.
3. When you’re ready to cook the chicken, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and prepare the air fryer basket by using a liner or lightly greasing it.
4. Once up to temperature, place the marinated chicken thighs in the prepared air fryer basket, making sure they are evenly spaced apart. Cook for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165°F (74°C).
   1. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken thighs and how many are in the air fryer at once.
5. Allow them to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving with your desired toppings. See below for some suggestions!

Alternative cooking methods

In case you don’t have an air fryer, here’s how you can cook it using different methods:

• Oven
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with tin foil. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the lined baking sheet and place it in the oven to cook for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165°F (74°C).

• Grill/BBQ
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, between 400-450°F. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165°F (74°C).

What to pair with these chicken thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs have so much versatility and pair well with a variety of ingredients and dishes. Here are some suggestions on how to incorporate this recipe into your dinner rotation:

• Enjoy it in a grain bowl with fresh vegetables, avocado and a flavourful sauce like tzatziki
• Slice the chicken and add it to a sandwich with lettuce, tomato and your choice of condiments
• Add the chicken to a warm naan or tortilla wrap with crunchy veggies and hummus
• Serve it alongside roasted vegetables and rice
• Place this chicken on a bed of leafy greens with your choice of salad dressing
• Chop it up, add some mayonnaise and make a curry chicken salad for sandwiches or a cracker topping

I can’t wait to see how you make this recipe your own!

Nutrition

This recipe makes 8 chicken thighs. The nutrition facts will vary greatly, depending on the size of the chicken thighs and the fat percentage of the Greek yogurt used. Two curry chicken thighs provides roughly:

• 41 grams of protein
• A significant amount of several B vitamins, including vitamin B12
• A variety of minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc and more!

Dietary considerations

This recipe is naturally gluten free and nut free.

• To make it lactose free, use a lactose-free Greek yogurt*

*I do not recommend using a dairy free or vegan yogurt as these typically have a more distinct flavour that would alter this recipe.

If you make these Air Fryer Curry Chicken Thighs, I would love to see your comment and rating below. It also makes my day seeing your creations of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutritionkitchen!