Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These air fryer chicken thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in under 30 minutes. Affordable, family-friendly, and endlessly versatile, they deliver comfort food without the fuss or extra oil.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil spray light mist to crisp skin
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly cracked
- 1 tsp paprika smoked or sweet
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano or rosemary
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1 tsp lemon zest optional, for brightness
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to encourage crispiness.
- Rub lightly with oil and season generously with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, and optional cayenne or lemon zest.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket, without overlapping.
- Cook for 12 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 10–12 minutes, until skin is golden and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest 3–5 minutes before serving to keep juices inside.
Notes
For boneless thighs, reduce cooking time by 4–5 minutes. To reheat, air fry leftovers at 350°F for 3–4 minutes. Try variations like buffalo sauce, honey garlic glaze, or lemon pepper for different flavors.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 25gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 260mgVitamin A: 420IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.2mg
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