Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer, and the results are spectacular. Air fryers circulate hot air rapidly, which cooks food quickly without drying it out. This means that chicken thighs will be juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. You can use either bone-in or boneless chicken thighs, but bone-in thighs are less likely to dry out.

Cooking times for chicken thighs in an air fryer

Yes, chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer. Air fryers are mini convection ovens that use hot air circulating rapidly to cook food. This rapid hot air results in fast evaporation, which means your food cooks fast enough to not dry out, while getting a crispy exterior. This is perfect for chicken thighs, as it means the chicken will be juicy while the exterior gets crispy.

Chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer in less than half the time it would normally take in an oven. The cooking time will depend on whether the chicken thighs are boneless or bone-in. For bone-in chicken thighs, cook for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness – the chicken is considered cooked by the FDA when it reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, as the temperature will continue to rise. For boneless chicken thighs, coat with a spice mixture and cook for a similar amount of time.

How to get crispy skin on air fryer chicken thighs

Yes, chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer. To get crispy skin, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, and let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving.

Air fryers use rapidly circulating hot air to cook food, resulting in fast evaporation. This means that food cooks quickly without drying out, while the exterior gets crispy. This method is perfect for chicken thighs, as the meat will stay juicy while the skin gets crispy.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are preferable for the air fryer as the bone helps the chicken stay extra juicy, and the skin gets crispy as it cooks. However, you can also cook boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer. Olive oil can be used to help the seasoning stick to the chicken.

How to prevent air fryer chicken thighs from drying out

Yes, chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer. To prevent them from drying out, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs as the bone helps the chicken to stay extra juicy and the skin gets crispy as it cooks.

Air fry the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, inserting it into the thickest part of the thigh (but not touching the bone). When the temperature reaches 155°F, set the chicken aside, cover, and let it rest for 5 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise to 165°F, which is when the FDA considers chicken to be cooked.

To add extra moisture, coat the chicken thighs with olive oil before cooking. This will also help the seasoning rub to stick to the chicken.

Air fryers use rapidly circulating hot air to cook food, resulting in fast evaporation. This means that your chicken thighs will cook quickly without drying out, while still achieving a crispy exterior.

Using an air fryer vs using an oven

Air fryers are mini convection ovens that use rapidly circulating hot air to cook food. This means that food cooks quickly without drying out, while the exterior gets crispy. This makes air fryers perfect for cooking chicken thighs, as the meat will stay juicy while the skin gets crispy.

Air fryers are quicker than regular ovens and can produce even better results. They are also a good option for those who are short on time, as they can cook chicken thighs in less than half the time it would normally take in an oven.

To cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked; the temperature should reach 155°F at the thickest part of the thigh (but not touching the bone). Set aside, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise as the chicken rests, and it is considered cooked by the FDA at 165°F.

While using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs can help to prevent the meat from drying out, it is still possible to overcook chicken thighs in an air fryer. Therefore, it is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked properly.

Air fryer chicken thighs: bone-in vs boneless

Yes, chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer.

Air fryer chicken thighs are a quick and easy meal that can be made with either bone-in or boneless thighs. Air fryers use rapidly circulating hot air to cook food, resulting in fast evaporation. This means that your food cooks quickly without drying out, while the exterior gets super crispy. This is ideal for chicken thighs, as it means the meat will be juicy while the exterior gets crispy.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are preferable for some, as the bone helps the chicken to stay extra juicy and the skin gets crispy. However, you can also cook boneless chicken thighs in an air fryer. If you are cooking boneless thighs, coat them with a spice mixture before cooking.

To cook bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer, place the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) has reached 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside, cover, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. The FDA considers chicken to be cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

For best results, use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken. This will help to ensure that your chicken is cooked perfectly and prevent overcooking.

Frequently asked questions