Crispy air fryer chicken thighs with zesty avocado sauce

Crispy and flavorful chicken thighs from the air fryer with avocado sauce are one of the best chicken dishes. Preparing them takes less than 30 minutes, resulting in a healthy and easy meal. This dish is perfect for any season and for a quick weekday dinner after work.

You can fry them in a pan, bake, grill, or, as in this case, prepare them in an air fryer. The chicken thigh recipe presented by the blogger from the site Eat with Carmen is healthy, low-carb, and great for meal prepping. To make it healthier, you can remove the chicken skin.

Chicken thighs in this version are quick and fun to make. And the result? It impresses from the first bite. However, the star of this dish is the avocado sauce. In this case, the fruit, which might not be a favorite at first, will quickly become your number one.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best chicken dishes. Preparing the thighs in an air fryer will make the dish healthy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless chicken thighs,
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil,
• 1 teaspoon baking powder,
• ½ teaspoon salt,
• ½ teaspoon pepper,
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika,
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder,
• ½ teaspoon lemon pepper,
• 1 cup cilantro,
• 1 cup sour cream,
• ½ avocado,
• 1 serrano pepper,
• 1 garlic clove,
• 2 tablespoons lime juice,
• 2 tablespoons honey,
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil,
• ½ teaspoon salt,
• ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Preparation:

1. Using a large bowl, pat the juicy chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Dry chicken ensures a crispy skin.
2. Mix baking powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and lemon pepper in a small bowl.
3. Rub the chicken thighs with avocado oil to coat them evenly.
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken, ensuring each thigh is thoroughly covered.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the fryer basket, leaving some space between them.
6. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until its internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crispy.

Preparation of avocado sauce:

1. Combine cilantro, sour cream, avocado, serrano pepper, garlic clove, lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a blender.
2. Blend until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency—season with your favorite spices to taste.
3. Serve the chicken thighs on plates and generously drizzle or dip in the spicy avocado sauce.

The avocado sauce is the star of this dish, so don't hesitate to make extra. It's versatile and can be used as a vegetable dip, a complement to other proteins, and even as a salad dressing. Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.