This panko breaded chicken thigh recipe has no buttermilk and can be made in the air fryer in less than 15 minutes. Air Fryer Ranch Chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside due to the coating of ranch. As a disabled home cook, I find this to be a versatile air fryer breaded chicken thigh recipe, is ideal for a busy or low energy day. Add the crispy chicken on top of salad, in a wrap, on a sandwich or just eaten with your favorite side dishes.
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Tips and Tricks
What do you serve with ranch chicken? I love this recipe because of how versatile it is. You can serve air fryer ranch chicken as sandwiches with your favorite toppings (like swiss cheese, more ranch dressing, pickles, lettuce and tomato) or on a salad with ranch drizzle on top. Another great way to serve this chicken is an entree with your favorite vegetable or rice side.
How do you store leftovers? Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for four to five days. Make sure to store the chicken thighs separate from any sauce to avoid them getting soggy.
How do you reheat leftovers? Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350 F for three to five minutes or in the microwave until heated through. If you reheat in the air fryer, you will get a crispier result than the microwave.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs - these are very forgiving and remain juicy at higher internal temperatures
- Panko breadcrumbs - use unseasoned if available and season to taste
- Plain breadcrumbs - use unseasoned if available and season to taste
- Grated parmesan - grated freshly and finely preferred for browning but pre-grated will work as well
- Dried thyme - fresh thyme will also work, make sure to pick it
- Diamond crystal kosher salt - if using another brand, use half the recommended amount
- Ranch dressing - use your favorite or make your own
See recipe card for specific quanities.
Can you make this recipe with chicken breasts? This recipe will work with chicken breasts but they vary in size greatly so cooking time may vary. If you have a particularly large chicken breast, I recommend to cut it in half and pound it to an even thickness.
What’s the best ranch dressing to use? This recipe was tested with Hidden Valley Ranch dressing but you can use your favorite ranch dressing. It will work with any ranch dressing that you make or buy in the store. The most important aspect is that you like the flavor!
Method
How do you know when the chicken is done cooking? The best way to know when air fryer ranch chicken is done cooking is by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs have the best texture when cooked to at least 175 F up to 200 F.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are a very forgiving cut of meat. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can slice open the chicken thigh and ensure it is cooked through. This may result in a less juicy product.
How do you make air fryer ranch chicken? In a shallow dish combine breadcrumbs, cheese, thyme and kosher salt. In a second shallow dish add ranch dressing.
Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt and preheat the air fryer to 390 F. Use the one dry hand, one wet hand method, take one chicken thigh and dip it in ranch until evenly coated with the wet hand.
Next, add the chicken thigh into the breadcrumb mixture. With the dry hand, sprinkle some of the breadcrumb mixture over the chicken. Press down breadcrumb with the dry hand and flip to coat the other side. Once well coated in breadcrumbs, set aside on a plate or clean cutting board. Continue with the rest of the chicken thighs until all four pieces are well coated with ranch and breadcrumbs.
In a single layer, add thighs to a preheated air fryer basket.
Cook for five minutes, flip and cook for another four to six minutes until at least 175 F internally and golden brown. Remove to a clean plate and allow to rest for three to five minutes.
Serve hot on a sandwich, salad or as a main protein with sides.
Hint: Serve extra ranch on the side for extra flavor.
Substitutions
Do you have to use both types of breadcrumbs? This recipe was tested with both types of breadcrumbs for ultimate texture and coverage. It will still work with only one type of breadcrumbs.
What other dried herbs can you use? Substitute any dried herb like dill, parsley or Italian seasoning. Think of dried herbs that will go well with ranch flavoring.
What other types of cheese can you use? Any hard, aged cheese will work here like pecorino romano, asiago or grana padano.
Can you substitute boneless skinless chicken breast? These will work with this recipe but the cook time will be different. Chicken breasts vary widely in size and shape so for best results pound to an even thickness. I recommend cooking chicken breasts only until they reach about 160 F internally as they dry out at higher temperatures.
Equipment
Can you make this without an air fryer? You can cook the breaded chicken in a variety of ways but I find that the air fryer does the best job. Once in the air fryer you only have to flip once and you can multitask while it is cooking. You can shallow fry, deep fry or oven bake these chicken thighs but times and temperatures will vary.
Air fryers are a popular appliance that uses forced hot air to cook food quickly resulting in a delicious browned exterior and juicy interior. Most air fryers are great for disabled folks as well as college students, single folks, small familes, single parents, teenagers, low income folks and older folks.
They provide a way to cook food quickly, efficiently and without having to actively stand over it. They usually automatically turn off and don't require heavy lifting, long standing times or a lot of flipping or stirring. For more information about air fryers, check out our Air Fryer FAQ.
Accommodations
- This recipe has a lot of built in breaks where you can sit down and rest if necessary. You can rest after setting up the breading station, after the chicken is breaded but before it is cooked, while it is cooking, and while it rests.
- Freshly grated parmesan is ideal for flavor and optimal browning but pre-grated from the store is also tasty and will work well here.
- If making a salad with the ranch chicken, buy pre-chopped salad mix to make it a low energy meal.
Top Tip
Cook the chicken thighs in a single layer to promote even cooking and browning. If you’re making more than four chicken thighs or the thighs are particularly large, cook in batches.
Air Fryer Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ¾ cup unseasoned panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup unseasoned plain breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- ¾ teaspoon Diamond crystal kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ cup ranch dressing plus more for dipping if desired
Instructions
Breading the Chicken
- Set up your breading station. In a shallow dish or quarter sheet tray combine breadcrumbs, cheese, thyme and ¾ teaspoon kosher salt.
- In a second shallow dish or quarter sheet tray add ranch dressing.
- Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt. Preheat the air fryer to 390 F.
- Bread the chicken using one hand, take one chicken thigh and dip it in ranch until evenly coated. Allow extra dressing to drip off. Add the chicken thigh into the breadcrumb mixture.
- With the other hand, sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over the chicken. Press down breadcrumb with the dry hand and flip to coat the other side. Once well coated in breadcrumbs, set aside on a plate.
- Continue with the rest of the chicken thighs until all four pieces are well coated with ranch and breadcrumbs. Try to keep the wet hand and dry hand method going to avoid breading your fingers.
Cooking the Chicken
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes, flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes until at least 175 F internally.
- Allow the chicken to rest by removing it to a clean plate. Rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve hot on a sandwich, salad or as a main protein with sides.
Notes and Accommodations
- If you’re using seasoned breadcrumbs, reduce the amount of salt.
- Cook chicken thighs in a single layer for even cooking. If your thighs are too big, cook in batches.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
- Reheat chicken thighs at 350 F in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through. Thighs can be reheated in the microwave but will be less crispy.
- Build in time to rest/sit down
- After setting up the breading station.
- After breading the chicken.
- While the chicken and cooking and while the chicken is resting.
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 175 °F (79 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
