Why this fits a family on a budget
Bone-in chicken thighs are one of the most affordable cuts at roughly $1.50 per piece, keeping this flavorful meal well within the $3-per-serving target. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting in about 22 minutes with no babysitting required, perfect for busy weeknights.
• 4 pieces bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 small jalapeño
• 2 cloves garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp lemon juice for chutney
• 0.25 tsp salt for chutney
• 2 tbsp water
• 4 pieces frozen naan bread
1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels — this is important for getting crispy skin in the air fryer.
2. In a large bowl, combine vegetable oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir into a thick paste.
3. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and use your hands or tongs to coat every surface thoroughly with the spice paste. Make 2 to 3 shallow cuts through the skin of each thigh so the marinade penetrates.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
5. Place the coated chicken thighs skin-side up in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Work in batches if needed.
6. Air fry at 400°F for 22 minutes. At the 12-minute mark, open the basket and check — the top surface should be starting to char at the edges, mimicking a tandoor oven. Do not flip the chicken.
7. While the chicken cooks, make the mint chutney: add cilantro, mint leaves, jalapeño (seeds removed for mild, seeds included for spicy), garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp water to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt or lemon as desired.
8. At 22 minutes, check the chicken with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part away from the bone — it must read 165°F. If needed, cook an additional 3 minutes and recheck.
9. Remove chicken from the air fryer. The skin should be dark reddish-orange with charred spots and crispy to the touch.
10. Place frozen naan directly into the air fryer basket at 350°F for 3 minutes until warmed and lightly toasted.
11. Serve chicken thighs with warm naan and a generous drizzle of mint chutney on the side.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.