🍝 Air Fryer Seasoned Chicken Thigh With Pasta Marinara

Because if the air fryer can’t make your life easier, what even is the point?

This single-serving recipe gives you juicy, seasoned chicken with almost zero cleanup. While the air fryer does its thing, you boil some pasta and heat some marinara. That’s it. Dinner magic.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 1)

For the Chicken

• 1 boneless chicken thigh
• 1–2 tsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of pepper
• Optional: red pepper flakes if you like a lil’ drama

For the Pasta

• 2–3 oz pasta (a generous handful)
• ½–¾ cup marinara sauce
• Salt for boiling water
• Optional: Parmesan

🔪 Instructions

1. Season the Chicken

1. Pat the chicken thigh dry like a responsible adult.
2. Mix garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub the seasoning all over it.
4. If you have 5 minutes, let it sit—if not, the air fryer forgives you.

2. Air Fry

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
2. Place the chicken thigh in the basket (no need for foil—let the air do its thing).
3. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Check that it hits 165°F (74°C) internally.
5. Let it rest for a couple minutes so the juices redistribute and the chicken feels appreciated.

3. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring salted water to a boil.
2. Add pasta and cook according to the box.
3. Drain but don’t rinse—team starch forever.

4. Warm the Marinara

1. Heat marinara in a small pot until warm and cozy.
2. Give it a stir so it doesn’t splatter like a tiny tomato volcano.

5. Assemble

• Slice your air-fried chicken.
• Add pasta to a bowl.
• Ladle marinara on top.
• Crown it with the chicken slices.
• Parmesan if you want to feel fancy.

😌 Final Thoughts

Air fryers were invented for meals exactly like this—minimal effort, maximum taste, and only one basket to clean. Perfect for solo nights when you want something comforting but refuse to suffer for it.

Eat well, friend. 🍗🍝