Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Raw Or Not?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken thighs, and you can put raw chicken thighs in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on whether the chicken thighs are boneless or bone-in, and whether you want a crispy skin. For example, boneless chicken thighs will take around 18-20 minutes in total to cook at 380°F, while bone-in chicken thighs will take around 24-27 minutes in total to cook at 400°F. You can also cook a whole chicken in an air fryer, which will take around an hour at 180°C.

Chicken thigh temperature and cooking time

Chicken thighs are a great option for a quick, easy, and delicious meal. Here's a guide to help you achieve the perfect temperature and cooking time for juicy chicken thighs with crispy skin using your air fryer.

Temperature and Cooking Time:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken thighs is around 380-400°F. This temperature range will ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and efficiently.
• Cooking Time: Depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer, the cooking time may vary. On average, bone-in chicken thighs will take around 20-25 minutes to cook in an air fryer. For boneless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time to 16-18 minutes.
• Flip Midway: For even cooking and crispy skin, it is recommended to flip the chicken thighs midway through the cooking process. This ensures that both sides of the chicken are cooked evenly and helps render the fat for crispy skin.
• Check Temperature: The recommended internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the thigh, ensuring that it reaches 165°F.
• Resting Time: Once your chicken thighs reach the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier meat.

Tips for Crispy Skin:

• Pat Dry: Before seasoning and cooking, make sure to pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps remove any excess moisture, ensuring a crispier skin.
• Oil and Seasonings: Drizzle or spray a small amount of cooking oil on the chicken thighs before applying the seasonings. This allows the seasonings to stick to the meat and creates a crispy exterior. You can use any seasoning mix you prefer, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
• Baking Powder: Adding a pinch of baking powder to the skin of the chicken thighs is a secret trick to achieving ultra-crispy skin. The baking powder increases the pH level, allowing the bonds in the skin to break down more easily during cooking, resulting in a crispier texture.
• Don't Overcrowd: Ensure that there is enough space between each chicken thigh in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and affect the crispiness of the skin. If needed, cook the chicken thighs in batches.

By following these temperature and cooking guidelines, you'll be able to achieve delicious, juicy chicken thighs with crispy skin using your air fryer!

Chicken preparation

Choosing Chicken Thighs

When selecting chicken thighs for your air fryer, you have the option of choosing between bone-in and boneless, as well as skin-on and skinless. Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs tend to result in juicier meat and crispier skin. However, boneless and skinless chicken thighs are also viable options and can be just as tasty with a shorter cooking time.

Seasoning and Marinating

Before cooking, it is essential to pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step ensures a crispy exterior. You can then season the chicken with a variety of spices, such as salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or herbs de Provence. For a unique twist, you can also try adding a pinch of baking powder to the skin, as it increases the pH level and helps break down the bonds in the skin, resulting in a crispier texture. If you have more time, you can also marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for a few hours or even overnight to enhance the flavour.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 400°F. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this can lead to uneven cooking. For bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs, cook at 400°F for 12 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cook at 400°F for 6 minutes on the first side and 8-10 minutes on the second side. It is important to flip the chicken thighs halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer chicken thighs make a delicious and versatile main course. They can be served with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, honey-roasted carrots, quinoa salad, or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, pair the chicken with comfort vegetable sides like creamy mashed potatoes or roasted green beans with bacon. You can also get creative and use the chicken in tacos, sandwiches, or salads.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

Yes, you can cook raw chicken thighs in a power air fryer.

The cooking time and temperature settings depend on the type of chicken thighs you are cooking.

For bone-in chicken thighs, preheat your air fryer to 380°F and cook for 12 minutes on the first side, then 10-15 minutes on the second side. If you want your chicken thighs to be extra crispy, cook them for 4-minute intervals until you reach your desired level of crispness. The chicken thighs are done when an internal meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.

For boneless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time to 6 minutes on the first side and 8-10 minutes on the second side.

If you are cooking frozen chicken thighs, there is no need to thaw the meat. Simply increase the cooking time by 3-4 minutes. It is recommended to spray some cooking spray or rub some oil on the frozen chicken so that the seasonings will stick.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer.

Chicken seasoning

Yes, you can put raw chicken thighs in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great way to cook juicy chicken thighs with extra crispy skin without needing to heat up the oven.

There are endless ways to season chicken thighs for the air fryer, but here are some ideas to get you started:

• Smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, and salt and pepper.
• Kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, or herbs de Provence), black pepper, and baking powder.
• Lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs.
• Sea salt, dried basil, crushed dried rosemary, garlic powder, dry mustard powder, ground black pepper, ground dried thyme, celery seed, dried parsley, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and chicken bouillon granules.
• Smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sugar.

How to Season Chicken

• Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
• Place the chicken in a bowl or a large zip-top bag.
• Add your chosen seasonings to the chicken and mix well to coat.
• If the chicken has skin, rub some of the seasoning underneath the skin for more flavor.
• Allow the chicken to sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to let the flavors meld.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook until done.

Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to find your perfect chicken seasoning blend!

Chicken serving suggestions

Chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some serving suggestions for chicken, specifically chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer:

Vegetables

• Green beans
• Broccoli or broccolini
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Fennel
• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Kale
• Snow peas
• Roasted delicata squash and apples

Salads

• Greek salad
• Cranberry apple quinoa salad
• Black bean and corn salad
• Antipasto grain salad
• Lemon quinoa with currants, dill, and zucchini

Potatoes

• Mashed potatoes
• Smashed potatoes
• Crispy salt and vinegar fingerling potatoes
• Roasted Dijon potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Cheesy potato gratin
• Crispy, cheesy potato stacks

Rice

• Elote rice
• Wild rice
• Fried rice
• Mint rice
• Portuguese-style rice
• Tomato rice with crispy cheddar
• Rice pilaf
• Jollof rice

Other Sides

• Parmesan crusted Brussels sprouts
• Sweet potato gratin
• Orzo al limone
• Copycat Olive Garden fettuccine Alfredo
• Whipped feta roasted potatoes
• Garlic-parmesan roasted carrots
• Kung Pao Brussels sprouts
• French onion baked potatoes

Frequently asked questions