Marianne Martinez
Chicken legs and thighs are a great option for a quick, easy, and healthy meal. Air frying is a perfect way to cook them, resulting in juicy meat with a crispy skin. The air fryer's ability to quickly cook the chicken without the need for oil makes it a convenient and healthy option. With a simple blend of seasonings and a short cooking time, you can have a delicious and nutritious meal ready in under 30 minutes. This paragraph will provide an introduction to the topic of cooking chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer, covering the benefits, cooking process, and the potential for a tasty and healthy meal.
How to Cook Chicken Legs and Thighs in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Chicken legs and thighs (bone-in and with skin on) |
| Oil | Avocado oil cooking spray, vegetable oil, or olive oil |
| Spices | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet smoked paprika, dried herbs, dried thyme leaves, oregano, ground mustard, and a pinch of cayenne |
| Other ingredients | Brown sugar, lemon juice |
| Marinade | Chicken pieces can be marinated in a zip-top bag with oil and spices |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 370-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 18-25 minutes (for chicken legs), 12 minutes on each side (for chicken thighs) |
| Internal Temperature | 165-185°F |
| Serving Suggestions | Salad, roasted vegetables, cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, broccoli salad, quinoa salad, tomato soup, or pasta |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the skin off chicken legs and thighs
Chicken legs and thighs are usually sold with the skin on, but you can remove it before cooking if you prefer. Removing the skin when the chicken is raw is the most efficient way of doing it, as you're already preparing the meat.
To remove the skin from chicken legs and thighs, start by rinsing them with cold water. Then, pull back the skin until you feel resistance. Using a paper towel can help with grip. You may need to use a knife to run under the skin, especially where there is a lot of fat.
The skin is often attached pretty firmly, so you may need to grip the skin and pull it off as much as you can. You can also try winding it around your pointer finger and pulling hard.
Once you have removed the skin, go back and remove any excess fat. You can use a knife to scrape away the fat, but be careful not to cut away too much meat.
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How to season chicken legs and thighs
To season chicken legs and thighs, you can use a variety of spices and herbs. It is recommended to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning. You can then add your chosen spices and herbs, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Some recipes suggest adding a drizzle of oil to help the seasoning stick and to make the skin crispy. You can also add lemon juice to the chicken before adding the spices.
One recipe suggests a blend of brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, ground mustard, and a pinch of cayenne. Another recipe suggests using premade chicken seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also make a marinade with honey, garlic, or Cajun spices.
For chicken thighs, you can switch up the spices to change the flavor. Suggested spices include salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs such as herbs de Provence.
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How long to cook chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer
Chicken legs and thighs are a great option for a quick, easy, and healthy meal. The air fryer is perfect for getting that crispy skin and juicy meat without the need for lots of oil. The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken portions and the wattage of your air fryer, but here is a general guide on how long to cook chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer.
For chicken legs, you will want to cook them for around 18 to 22 minutes at 380°F, turning them over halfway through. You can then check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If it has not yet reached 165°F, continue to cook in 4-minute increments until it reaches the desired temperature. It is important to note that the chicken will continue to cook even after being removed from the air fryer, so it is a good idea to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
For chicken thighs, the cooking time will be slightly shorter. You can cook them for around 12 minutes on each side at 400°F, or until golden and crispy. Again, you will want to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F before serving. If you are looking for super crispy skin, you can cook the thighs for an additional 4 minutes or until the desired crispness is achieved.
It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer to allow the heat to circulate. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cook the chicken in batches. You can also use the same cooking method for chicken quarters, drumsticks, and wings. Simply adjust the cooking time as needed, depending on the size and type of chicken portion.
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What temperature to cook chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer
When cooking chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer, the temperature and cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and the wattage of your air fryer. It's important to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F to prevent foodborne illness.
For larger chicken legs, it is recommended to cook them at 380°F for 22 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. For smaller chicken legs, 18 minutes at the same temperature should suffice. You can check the internal temperature of the chicken using an instant-read thermometer. If the chicken has not yet reached 165°F, continue cooking in 4-minute increments until it reaches the safe temperature.
Chicken thighs will take about 25 minutes in the air fryer at 380°F. It is recommended to cook them skin-side down for 12 minutes, then flip them over and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes or until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Some recipes suggest cooking chicken legs at a higher temperature of 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, it is important to ensure that the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F, regardless of the cooking time and temperature.
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What to serve with chicken legs and thighs
Chicken legs and thighs are versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Salads
A big green salad is a healthy and refreshing option to serve with chicken legs and thighs. You can add some vegetables to the salad, such as shredded Brussels sprouts or roasted green beans. If you're looking for something more substantial, a quinoa salad or a broccoli salad would also pair well with the chicken.
Vegetables
Roasted butternut squash, shredded Brussels sprouts, or roasted green beans are some tasty vegetable options to consider. Cauliflower Mac and cheese is another indulgent option to serve alongside the chicken.
Starches
For a heartier meal, consider serving the chicken with some starches. Sweet potato fries, regular potato chips, or even pasta would be delicious options.
Soups
A warm bowl of tomato soup can also be a good choice to serve alongside the chicken, especially during colder months.
Marinades and Sauces
To add extra flavour to your chicken, you can serve it with a variety of marinades or sauces. A sugar-free BBQ sauce or honey mustard would be a great choice. Alternatively, you can make a simple marinade with olive oil, garlic, and your choice of herbs and spices.
Sides for Chicken Thighs
If you're specifically serving chicken thighs, some sides to consider are a big salad, roasted butternut squash, quinoa salad, tomato soup, or pasta.
Remember, the sides you choose can be customised based on your personal preferences and what you think will pair well with the flavours of the chicken and any seasonings or marinades you've used.
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