### El Pollo Loco-Inspired Air Fryer Chicken

**Ingredients:**

* 4-5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

**For the Marinade:**
* 3/4 cup fresh lime juice (6-7 limes)
* 1/3 cup olive oil
* 1/3 cup white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweeter taste)
* 1/3 cup soy sauce
* 3 tablespoons honey
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon ground cumin
* 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
* 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a touch of heat)
* 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat; adjust to taste)
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Marinade:**
   - In a large bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients: lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder (if using), cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.

2. **Marinate the Chicken:**
   - Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
   - Seal the bag or cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally 4-6 hours for maximum flavor absorption.

3. **Preheat the Air Fryer:**
   - Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes.

4. **Air Fry the Chicken:**
   - Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting any excess drip off.
   - Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better browning and texture.
   - Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
   - Mist the chicken with a little extra olive oil.
   - Cook for 14-16 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 12-14 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

5. **Rest and Serve:**
   - Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute for a more flavorful and tender piece of chicken.
   - Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice, if desired.

**Optional Brine Step (For Extra Juiciness):**

**Ingredients for Brine:**
- 1 gallon (4 quarts) of water
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup sugar

**Instructions for Brine:**

1. **Prepare the Brine:**
   - In a large bowl, combine water, kosher salt, and sugar. Stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.

2. **Brine the Chicken:**
   - Submerge the chicken thighs in the brine solution. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

3. **Rinse and Dry:**
   - Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

4. **Proceed with Marinating and Cooking:**
   - After brining, proceed with marinating and cooking steps as outlined above.

This refactored recipe ensures clarity and ease of following, making it straightforward to prepare the El Pollo Loco-Inspired Air Fryer Chicken.

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### El Pollo Loco-Inspired Air Fryer Chicken

**Ingredients:**

* 4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
* 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 limes)
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 2 tablespoons white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweeter taste)
* 1/4 cup soy sauce (adds umami and depth)
* 2 teaspoons honey (for balanced sweetness and caramelization)
* 2 teaspoons dried oregano
* 2 teaspoons ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
* 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a touch of heat)
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat; adjust to taste)
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon black pepper

**Instructions:**

1. **Marinate the Chicken:**
   - In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder (if using), cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
   - Place the chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated.
   - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally 4-6 hours for maximum flavor absorption.

2. **Preheat the Air Fryer:**
   - Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes.

3. **Air Fry the Chicken:**
   - Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting any excess drip off.
   - Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture from the marinade.
   - Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
   - Mist the chicken with a little extra olive oil.
   - Cook for 14-16 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces.
   - Cook for an additional 12-14 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

4. **Rest and Serve:**
   - Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute for a more flavorful and tender piece of chicken.

**Tips:**
- **For Enhanced Flavor:** Add a couple of smashed garlic cloves and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro to the marinade.
- **Consistency:** Make sure to pat the chicken dry after marinating for better browning and texture.
- **Extra Zest:** Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.

**Optional Brine Step:**

If you want to brine the chicken for extra juiciness:

### Simple Brine Recipe

**Ingredients:**
- 1 gallon (4 quarts) of water
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup sugar

**Instructions:**

1. **Dissolve the Salt and Sugar:**
   - In a large bowl, combine the water, kosher salt, and sugar.
   - Stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.

2. **Brine the Chicken:**
   - Submerge the chicken thighs in the brine solution.
   - Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

3. **Rinse and Dry:**
   - Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse under cold water to remove excess salt.
   - Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

After brining, proceed with the marinating and cooking steps as outlined above.