Make these Cajun blackened chicken thighs in your air fryer or oven for a fast and easy weeknight dinner. Serve them on their own with a simple side dish or chop them up to add to your favorite pasta dish like a Cajun chicken alfredo pasta.
Chicken thighs are usually packaged from the butcher tucked in a tri-fold shape, use a fork to unfold each thigh so they lay as flat as possible. Sprinkle the blackened seasoning over both sides of each chicken thigh.
NOTE: Chicken thighs are a very fatty cut of meat. The fat will melt as it cooks and make a drippy mess in your air fryer. To help avoid this, trim as much of the visible fat from the meat before you toss it with the seasoning.
Oven Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer on the baking sheet, underside facing up.
Bake for 18 minutes and then turn the chicken thighs smooth side up. Continue to bake for another 12 - 18 minutes or until the chicken thighs register 175°F with a probe thermometer when tested at the thickest part of the meat.
Air Fryer Instructions:
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Working in batches if necessary, arrange the chicken thighs in a single flat layer. Cook for 20 minutes on one side.
Flip them over and cook for an additional 15 - 20 minutes on the other side. The chicken thighs should register 175°F when tested with a probe thermometer at the thickest part of the meat.