Tender and Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Steak
Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside! Super Simple Air Fryer Salt-Grilled Chicken Thigh Steak with Sriracha Mayo Sauce
Enjoy a luxurious chicken thigh steak at home that rivals restaurant quality! Using an air fryer, you’ll achieve a golden-crisp skin and a moist, juicy interior – the epitome of ‘crispy outside, tender inside’. Perfect for special occasions or to elevate your everyday meal, this salt-grilled chicken thigh is a delight, especially when paired with sweet grilled pineapple for an incredible combination. Adding your favorite salad greens, jalapeños, or olives can further enhance the diverse flavors. The sweet and spicy sriracha mayo sauce will take your chicken thigh steak experience to the next level.
Main Ingredients- 650g frozen chicken thigh meat (approx. 6 pieces)
- 500ml milk
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
- 2-3 bay leaves
- Pinch of whole peppercorns
Optional Accompaniments- Salad greens (with balsamic dressing)
- Fresh pineapple slices
- Sliced jalapeños
- Black olives
Sriracha Mayo Sauce- 3 Tbsp sriracha sauce
- 4 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of pepper
- Salad greens (with balsamic dressing)
- Fresh pineapple slices
- Sliced jalapeños
- Black olives
Sriracha Mayo Sauce- 3 Tbsp sriracha sauce
- 4 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chicken thighs. If frozen, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or submerge the sealed bag in cold running water for a faster thaw. (Tip: Keeping the water running will speed up the thawing process significantly.)
Step 2
Rinse the thawed chicken thighs lightly under running water to remove any blood or excess fat. Place the cleaned chicken thighs in a bowl, add about 500ml of milk, 1 Tbsp of coarse salt, 2-3 bay leaves, and a pinch of whole peppercorns. Gently massage to combine. Let it marinate for 20 to 30 minutes; this helps eliminate gamey odors and tenderizes the meat.
Step 3
Rinse the marinated chicken thighs again with clean water to remove the milk and excess salt. Pat the surface thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy skin when air-frying.
Step 4
Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket with the skin-side down. Sprinkle a little pepper over the chicken thighs to enhance their flavor.
Step 5
Now, let’s air fry them to perfection. Cook at 190°C (375°F) for 15 minutes. Then, flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 10 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Finally, to ensure extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 200°C (400°F) and cook for an additional 10 minutes. (Tip: During this final stage, you can place pineapple slices next to the chicken thighs to grill; they will caramelize beautifully and taste delicious.)
Step 6
While the chicken is cooking, let’s make the flavorful sauce. In a small bowl, combine 4 Tbsp of mayonnaise, 3 Tbsp of sriracha sauce, 1 Tbsp of sugar, and a pinch of pepper. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Your spicy and sweet sauce is ready!
Step 7
Plate the warm, air-fried chicken thigh steaks attractively. Drizzle generously with the prepared sriracha mayo sauce. Garnish with the grilled pineapple, fresh salad greens, briny black olives, and spicy jalapeños to complete this hearty and delicious chicken thigh steak dish. Enjoy your meal!
