Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

by Katerina

5 from 14 votes

Apr 03, 2022, Updated Jun 23, 2024

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These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are delicious, quick, and seriously juicy! With plenty of garlic and herbs, our air-fried chicken thighs make for a fantastic meal.

For those who consider chicken their go-to protein, don’t leave without grabbing my recipes for these amazing classic baked chicken pieces and our crunchy beer battered fried chicken.

overhead shot of three cooked chicken thighs placed inside a black air fryer basket.

As a busy parent, I’m always on the lookout for easy dinner ideas, and these air fryer bone-in chicken thighs have become a family favorite because they’re so simple to prepare and packed with flavor. Plus, the air fryer ensures they come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside every time. Whether you’re pairing them with a hearty carrot soup, a fresh heirloom tomato salad, or some oven roasted veggies, this recipe is a winner that you’ll turn to again and again.

It’s a juicy and crispy air fryer chicken thighs recipe that combines ease, speed, and deliciousness, perfect for busy days. The best part is that it’s super quick to make, cooking in approximately 20 minutes, making it a go-to option for a tasty dinner that we all enjoy. The air fryer not only simplifies the cooking process but also makes it quicker, healthier, and more flavorsome.

Why I Love This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

Efficient: The air fryer streamlines the cooking process, making it quick and hassle-free. This makes it perfect for busy schedules or last minute meals.
Healthier Cooking Method: Air frying chicken requires less oil than traditional frying methods, resulting in a lighter and less greasy dish without compromising on flavor.
Flavor-packed: The combination of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, and herbs makes each bite of the chicken flavorful and delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make the best chicken thighs in the air fryer, you only need a few simple ingredients to put together a tasty and easy dinner.

Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are easy to cook without drying them out. If you’d like to use chicken breast, follow the directions for this recipe for air fryer chicken breast.
Oil: Olive oil is my favorite, but you could also use peanut oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral cooking oil that you like.
Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings: I use a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and paprika to bring out the best in simple baked chicken.

How To Cook Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

Cooking chicken in the air fryer is a quick way to achieve perfectly crispy and juicy results. Follow these simple steps to make a great meal with minimal effort!

three raw chicken thighs brushed with a seasoning rub and placed inside a black air fryer basket.

overhead shot of four cooked chicken thighs placed inside a black air fryer basket.

Prep. Pat the chicken thighs dry with some clean paper towels.
Season the thighs. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken thighs.
Air Fry the chicken thighs. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Lightly spritz the chicken with oil, and cook for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 8 to 10 more minutes or until done. Chicken is done when its internal temperature registers at 165˚F.
Cool and serve. Remove the chicken from the air fryer, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

Cooking Time: The exact cook time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs, so keep that in mind when cooking and always check for doneness before serving. The easiest and most accurate way to check for doneness is when you use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer deeply into the meat, but do not let it touch the bone, or the temperature won’t be accurate. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can test the chicken for doneness by cutting into the meat and pulling it away from the bone. If the meat comes away from the bone easily, and the juices run clear, the chicken is done.
Make it crispy: If you like your chicken crispier, just air-fry for an additional minute or two.
Keep the skin on. To avoid those extra calories, remove the skin before consuming, but not before cooking. Keeping the skin on while cooking is probably the best way to preserve flavor and moisture.

cooked and sliced chicken thigh on a white dinner plate, served alongside sugar snap peas, and a fork placed next to the chicken.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy chicken is good, but it really shines when you add my favorite Shopska salad alongside it. This creamy asparagus pasta is a comforting yet nutritious dish that goes beautifully with chicken. These garlic rosemary mashed potatoes are excellent with almost anything, but juicy air fried chicken thighs are the perfect companion.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Take the meat off the bone and toss it in chicken noodle soup, salads, or chicken Caesar wraps throughout the week.
To freeze cooked chicken thighs, take the meat off the bone and pack it into a freezer bag. Press out as much air as possible before sealing, and keep it in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
To reheat, just warm the thighs in the oven at 350°F until heated through. You can also take the meat off the bone, and warm it on the stove, in a skillet over low to medium heat.

overhead close up shot of cooked chicken thighs placed inside a black air fryer basket.

Common Questions

How long does it take to cook thighs in the air fryer?

At 400˚F, it takes about 16 to 20 minutes to cook chicken thighs in the air fryer, depending on their size. You cook them for 8 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.

How long should you air fry chicken at 375˚F?

To air fry chicken at 375˚F, cook the chicken thighs for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Should you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in an air fryer. Just cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.

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5 from 14 votes