Name: Keto Air Fryer Apricot Glazed Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 Cup Sugar free apricot jam; 5 Boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 Tsp Soy sauce; 1 Tsp Dijon mustard; 2 Tsp Minced garlic; 1 Tsp Ginger paste

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

With only 7 main ingredients these glazed chicken thighs are easy to make. Whipped up in the air fryer, the thighs come out with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy, chicken inside.

White plate with 2 cooked apricot glazed chicken thighs with more in background

Brushed with an apricot glaze they’re a delicious addition to any dinner table.

With a sweet, tangy flavor from the apricot glaze and only 3 net grams of carbs, these keto chicken thighs are a recipe you’ll make over and over again.

Cooked in the air fryer the chicken thighs come together in thirty minutes and pair perfectly with any roasted vegetable.

They made an easy weeknight dinner that even kids would approve of. Or double the batch and use the remaining chicken thighs for meal prep throughout the week.

With a caramelized outside and sweet but savory flavor, they’re a tasty choice for lunch too.

Ingredients needed to make this chicken thigh recipe

Ingredients You Need:

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: though you could make this recipe with chicken breasts, the thighs are what result in such juicy pieces of chicken.

S ugar-free apricot jam: Any flavor of jam will work for this glazed chicken recipe. However, apricot brings with it a refreshing flavor. Make sure you get a keto-approved brand though.

Soy sauce: not all soy sauce brands are keto-friendly, so make sure to grab one that is. If you can’t find one, know that you can use coconut aminos in its place for the same flavor.

Dijon mustard: this is what gives the chicken a sweet but tangy flavor. The tartness of the mustard mixed with the sweetness of the jam is the ultimate flavor combo for a glaze.

Ginger paste: ground ginger can be used in a pinch; however, ginger paste does bring with it a pop of fresh flavor and a longer shelf life.

Minced garlic: take care to finely mince the garlic so that it mixes easily with the ginger.

Salt and pepper: vary the amounts used as per your own personal preference.

How To Make Glazed Chicken Thighs:

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and place them in an air-fryer-safe baking dish.
Air fry in a preheated machine for 10 minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients into a small saucepan and heat until a rolling boil starts.
Simmer until it begins to thicken and set it aside.
Flip the chicken and air fry for another 6 minutes or until cooked through.
Brush the chicken thighs with the glaze and air fry for another 2-3 minutes until the top looks caramelized.

Important Teaching Tips:

Make sure that the chicken thighs are thawed completely if using them from the freezer. this is so that they cook quickly and evenly.

Trim off any excess fat you notice on the thighs.

Season the chicken thighs evenly with salt and pepper. Otherwise, each bite will have a different taste.

For the best-tasting glazed chicken thighs make sure to brush the glaze on both sides of the thighs. Air fry one side for two minutes (or until starting to caramelize) and then repeat this on the other side.

Your sauce will thicken the longer it sits. Whip it up while the chicken thighs are in the air fryer but don’t let it sit too long and get too thick or it will be hard to brush on.

Know that you can vary the flavor of the keto chicken thighs by using a different flavor of jam, amping up the seasonings, or adding in some red pepper flakes for spice.

What To Serve With Glazed Chicken Thighs:

These keto chicken thighs work well with just about everything. Some of our favorite side dishes include:

Mashed turnips
Roasted vegetables
Keto coleslaw
Avocado cucumber salad
Maple green beans

Know that you can also reserve some of the glaze to drizzle on roasted vegetables when you serve the chicken thighs. This helps tie all the flavors together.

Storage Tips:

If you have leftovers or make these glazed chicken thighs as a meal prep recipe, they’ll last in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Make sure to let the chicken cool completely before storing the thighs in an airtight container.

You’ll want to reheat the thighs in the air fryer or in a skillet with a hint of oil until heated through.

Freeze the chicken thighs for up to 3 months. To do this, separate the thighs by pieces of parchment paper so that they don’t stick together o lay them flat in a container. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Can I use chicken breasts in place of chicken thighs?
A. Though chicken breasts will work, you will need to adjust the cooking time to ensure they cook through fully. Another option would be to butterfly the breasts so that they cook faster.

Q. Why are my chicken thighs not crispy?
A. Before you season your chicken thighs, pat them dry with a paper towel. This helps the seasonings and then the glaze better stick to the thighs. Then, when cooked at a higher temperature, the outside will become crispier.

Q. Can I use skin-on chicken thighs?
A. Skin on chicken thighs will cook deliciously in the air fryer and will result in crispier skin. However, the apricot glaze may not stick to the skin as well as it would a skinless chicken thigh. It may also require a bit more cooking time than listed.