Air-Fried Chicken Thighs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken thighs, giving them a crispy skin and juicy meat. You can use boneless or bone-in chicken thighs, though bone-in thighs are juicier and the skin gets crispier. You can also choose to keep the skin on or off, depending on your preference. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of chicken thigh and the size of your air fryer, but on average, it takes around 20-25 minutes to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer.

Choosing the right chicken thighs

Bone-In vs. Boneless

Start by deciding whether to go for bone-in or boneless chicken thighs. Bone-in chicken thighs are generally recommended for air frying because the bone adds flavour and moisture to the meat. They are also usually cheaper and less prone to overcooking. However, if you prefer boneless chicken thighs, you can certainly use them in your air fryer, but you'll need to reduce the cooking time.

Skin-On for Crispiness

If you want to indulge in crispy chicken skin, choose skin-on chicken thighs. The skin renders fat during cooking, creating that irresistible crispy texture. Skin-on chicken thighs are also juicier, as the skin helps lock in moisture. If you're watching your calorie intake, you can remove the skin before eating, but cooking skin-on will give you more options.

Size and Quantity

Select chicken thighs of similar size so they cook evenly in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the thighs in batches to avoid overcrowding. A typical air fryer can fit around four large chicken thighs, while a larger 6-quart basket can accommodate up to six thighs.

Freshness and Quality

Always choose fresh, high-quality chicken thighs from a reputable source. Look for firm thighs with a smooth, moist surface and avoid any with discoloured flesh or a strong odour. Check the "best before" date to ensure you're getting the freshest thighs possible.

Preparation and Storage

Before air frying, trim any excess fat and skin from the thighs. Blot them dry with paper towels to ensure a crisp exterior and retain juices. If you have time, bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking for more even cooking. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze for up to three months.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps to ensure that the chicken skin will become crispy when cooked. If your chicken thighs have excess skin, you can use this opportunity to trim it away.

Next, it's time to add flavour to the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings, but a simple and popular option is to rub the chicken with olive oil and a blend of spices. A typical blend might include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried herbs such as oregano. You can also add lemon juice to taste. Make sure you coat the chicken evenly and try to get some seasoning under the skin for maximum flavour.

Once the chicken is prepared, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 380°F to 400°F and allow it to heat up for a few minutes.

After preheating, you may choose to spray the air fryer with cooking spray or avocado oil spray to help achieve a crispier finish. This step is optional but can enhance the final texture of your chicken.

Now you're ready to place the chicken thighs in the air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer, skin-side down, making sure they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Close the air fryer and let the chicken cook for 12 to 15 minutes on the first side. Then, flip the chicken thighs and cook for an additional 7 to 15 minutes on the second side. The total cooking time will depend on factors such as the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer.

To check if your chicken is done, use an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure it does not touch the bone. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly.

Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicy, tender chicken.

And that's it! You now have perfectly cooked air fryer chicken thighs with crispy skin and juicy meat. Enjoy!

Cooking the chicken

First, preheat your air fryer. Different models of air fryers require different preheat temperatures and times. For example, you can preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes, or 375°F/190°C.

Next, prepare the chicken. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry, removing any excess moisture. If your chicken thighs have excess skin, cut it away. You can also trim off any excess fat.

Now, it's time to season the chicken. You can use a variety of spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and dried herbs like herbs de Provence. You can also add olive oil to help the seasoning stick to the chicken. Make sure to rub the seasoning well all over the chicken.

Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down. This ensures that the hot air circulates around the chicken pieces, crisping the skin as it cooks. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Now, it's time to air fry the chicken. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces, whether they are boneless or bone-in, and the model of your air fryer. For example, for boneless chicken thighs, cook at 400°F for 11-15 minutes total. For bone-in chicken thighs, cook at 400°F for 12 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 7-12 minutes.

To ensure your chicken is cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. However, it is best to remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender chicken.

Your air fryer chicken thighs are now ready to be enjoyed!

Customising the recipe

Spices and Seasonings

You can customise the spices and seasonings in your air fryer chicken thighs recipe to suit your taste preferences. While some recipes suggest keeping it simple with just salt and pepper, others recommend adding garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and/or sweet paprika. You could also try adding a dash of baking powder to your seasonings—this is a secret trick to guarantee crispy chicken on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside.

Oil

You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice to rub on the chicken before adding the seasonings. Alternatively, you can spray the chicken with cooking spray, nonstick spray, olive oil spray, or avocado oil spray.

Meat Thermometer

Using a meat thermometer is a good way to ensure your chicken is cooked properly. An instant-read thermometer can help you check that your chicken has reached the right temperature. Chicken is considered cooked when it reaches 165°F, but you can take it out of the air fryer when it reaches 155°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

Sides

There are lots of side dishes that go well with air fryer chicken thighs. For healthy vegetable sides, you could try roasted broccoli, air fryer zucchini, roasted Brussels sprouts, or roasted green beans. Or, for something more substantial, you could go for roasted sweet potatoes, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Serving suggestions

Chicken thighs are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for serving suggestions to accompany your air-fried chicken thighs:

Salads and Vegetables

• A simple veggie side dish or salad, such as a biscuit recipe, roasted broccoli, air-fried zucchini, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
• A big green salad with roasted butternut squash, shredded Brussels sprouts, or roasted green beans.
• A quinoa salad, tomato soup, or pasta.
• Air fryer frozen green beans and air fryer baked potatoes.
• Roasted sweet potatoes, rice, or mashed potatoes.
• Cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad.
• Air fryer zucchini, roasted Brussels sprouts, or sautéed Brussels sprouts.
• Rice, such as turmeric rice or lemon rice.
• Air fryer vegetables, such as broccoli, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts.

Other Sides

• Cauliflower Mac and cheese.
• Bacon-wrapped air fryer chicken breast.
• Air fryer chicken bites.
• Air fryer chicken parmesan.
• Air fryer BBQ chicken.
• Air fryer chicken wings.
• Air fryer chicken drumsticks.
• Air fryer hamburgers.
• Air fryer turkey breast.
• Air fryer coconut shrimp.
• Air fryer steak.
• Air fryer chicken sandwiches with sriracha mayo.
• Air fryer chicken tenders.
• Air fryer pork chops.
• Air fryer baked potatoes.
• Air fryer chicken nuggets.
• Air fryer chicken Milanese.
• Air fryer chicken breast.
• Air fryer popcorn chicken.
• Cilantro lime chicken breast.
• Air fryer chicken legs.
• Air fryer roast chicken.
• Air fryer chicken breasts.
• Air fryer chicken wings.

Frequently asked questions