Air Frying Chicken Thighs: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken thighs, creating a juicy texture and a delicious crispy skin. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer, but generally, it takes around 20-25 minutes to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer.

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your chicken thighs, follow these steps:

• Pat the chicken thighs dry: Use a paper towel to pat the chicken thighs completely dry on both sides. This is an important step to ensure the skin crisps up in the air fryer.
• Add oil: Drizzle or rub olive oil or cooking oil over the chicken thighs. This will help the seasonings stick to the chicken and encourage the skin to crisp up.
• Apply seasonings: Coat the chicken thighs with your chosen seasonings. You can use a simple mix of salt and pepper, or try a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, or Italian seasoning. You can also add cornstarch to the seasoning mix to help the skin get extra crispy.
• Place skin-side down first: When placing the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, put them skin-side down first. This will help render the fat without browning the skin too much, resulting in crispy skin and juicy meat.
• Flip halfway through: After cooking the chicken thighs skin-side down for the first half of the cooking time, flip them over and continue cooking until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Use an air fryer: The air fryer is ideal for achieving crispy skin without having to heat up the oven. The circulating hot air in the air fryer increases evaporation, resulting in a deliciously crispy exterior.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Make sure there is enough space around each chicken thigh for the air to circulate freely. If needed, cook the thighs in batches.
• Preheat the air fryer: For best results, preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken thighs. This will help ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will result in juicier and more flavorful meat. The skin also helps lock in moisture, reducing the risk of dry meat.
• Check with a meat thermometer: To ensure your chicken thighs are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

How long to cook chicken thighs in the oven

Chicken thighs are a great, easy option for a weeknight dinner. They're budget-friendly, quick to cook, and high in protein. Plus, they're versatile and can be adapted to suit many different tastes and cuisines.

When it comes to cooking chicken thighs in the oven, the timing will depend on whether your thighs are boneless or bone-in, and whether they have the skin on or off. Here's a breakdown of the cooking times for each:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Bake at 425°F for about 25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F.
• Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs: Bake at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (without touching the bone) reaches 165°F.

It's important to note that while 165°F is the safe internal temperature for cooked chicken, you can cook chicken thighs to a higher temperature for more tender meat. Some sources recommend cooking to an internal temperature of 180-190°F for extremely tender and juicy meat.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Thighs in the Oven:

• Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor profile. You can use a simple blend of dried herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Prep: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before adding any seasonings or placing them in the oven. This will help ensure crispy skin.
• Baking Dish: Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish, making sure they are not overlapping. This allows for even cooking.
• Temperature: Preheat your oven to the desired temperature before placing the chicken inside. For bone-in, skin-on thighs, a higher temperature of 400°F is recommended, while boneless thighs can be cooked at 350-425°F.
• Doneness: To check if your chicken thighs are done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. You're looking for an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Alternatively, you can make a small incision in the thickest part of the thigh; if the juices run clear, your chicken is cooked.

Air-Frying Chicken Thighs:

If you're looking for a quicker cooking method that doesn't require heating up your oven, you can also cook chicken thighs in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer, but on average, they will take around 20-25 minutes at 400°F.

Like oven-baked chicken thighs, air-fried chicken thighs are best cooked in a single layer, skin-side down, to render the fat and achieve crispy skin. You can also flip them over halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.

So, whether you're cooking chicken thighs in the oven or in an air fryer, you can have a delicious, healthy, and economical meal ready in no time!

How to get juicy chicken thighs

Chicken thighs are a versatile and delicious meal option, and using an air fryer is a great way to cook them. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your chicken thighs turn out juicy and full of flavour.

Choose Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs

Firstly, opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The bone helps to flavour the meat from within and also makes it harder to overcook the chicken. The skin locks in moisture, so you don't need to brine the meat, and it also gives you that extra crispy texture.

Seasoning

You can use a variety of seasonings to flavour your chicken thighs. A simple mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper is a great option. You can also add cornstarch to your seasoning mix, as this helps the skin get extra crispy. Other seasoning ideas include garlic herb seasoning, Italian seasoning, curry powder, or a dry turkey brine.

Oil

Use a small amount of cooking oil to help the seasoning coat the chicken evenly and to create a crispy skin. Olive oil is a good option as it gives the chicken a robust flavour.

Air Fryer Settings

Preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down, making sure they are not touching. For extra crispy skin, you can spray the air fryer with cooking spray before adding the chicken.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer, but generally, chicken thighs will take around 10-15 minutes on each side to cook through. Flip the chicken thighs halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when the skin is crispy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.

Resting

Once the chicken has reached the correct temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy final product.

Serving

Serve your juicy, crispy chicken thighs with your favourite sides. Some ideas include a big green salad, roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, or homemade fries.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your air-fried chicken thighs are juicy and full of flavour. Enjoy!

How to check if chicken thighs are cooked

There are several ways to check if chicken thighs are cooked and safe to eat. The most accurate way is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165°F for poultry. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, ensuring it does not touch the bone, which can give a false reading. If you don't have a thermometer, there are other ways to check:

• Colour of the juices: Pierce the thickest part of the chicken with a knife or fork and observe the colour of the juices that run out. If they are clear, the chicken is cooked. If they are pink, it needs more time.
• Size: The proteins in chicken shrink as they cook. If the chicken looks seared and golden on the outside but is still the same size as when it was raw, it needs more time. If it has shrunk, check the colour of the juices before removing it from the heat.
• Texture: The chicken should be responsively tender but not too firm, and opaque rather than transparent.
• Finger test: This method takes some practice but can be used as a reference for checking doneness. To know what rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done meat feels like, touch the tip of your pointer finger to the tip of your thumb. Switch to your middle finger for medium-rare, your ring finger for medium, and your pinkie for well-done.

How to store and reheat chicken thighs

Storing Chicken Thighs

Leftover chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you don't plan on eating the chicken within this time, it's best to store it in the freezer, where it will last for 2 to 3 months.

Reheating Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

The air fryer is a great way to reheat chicken thighs, keeping the skin crispy and the meat juicy.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F (around 190°C to 200°C).
• Remove the chicken thighs from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Leave space between the pieces for the hot air to circulate.
• Reheat for 3 to 10 minutes, flipping the chicken thighs halfway through cooking. The exact time will depend on the size of the chicken thighs and your air fryer model.
• Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C).
• Serve immediately.

Tips for Perfectly Reheated Chicken Thighs:

• Spray the chicken skin with a small amount of oil before placing it in the air fryer for extra crispy skin.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. You may need to reheat the chicken in batches.
• Don't reheat the chicken more than once, as this can dry it out and increase the risk of foodborne illness.
• Always store leftover chicken in the refrigerator or freezer and consume it within the recommended time frames.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious and crispy chicken thighs even after they've been stored in the refrigerator or freezer!

Frequently asked questions