Cody Casey
Chicken legs and thighs are a tasty, affordable, and nutrient-dense meal option. They can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes, making them a quick and convenient option for a delicious family-friendly dinner. The air fryer is perfect for achieving juicy meat with a crispy skin, and the best part is that it uses little to no oil, making it a healthier option. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken legs and thighs and the wattage of your air fryer, but the internal temperature should reach at least 165°F. This dish is versatile, allowing you to switch up the spices and seasonings to change the flavours.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Frying Chicken Legs and Thighs
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 380°F-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 18-22 minutes or 10 minutes on each side |
| Resting Time | 5 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 165°F-185°F |
| Seasoning | Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, cayenne, dried herbs, lemon juice |
| Oil | Avocado oil cooking spray, vegetable oil, or cooking oil |
| Sides | Salads, roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, tomato soup, pasta, rice, steamed vegetables |
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$10.86
What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crispy skin
To get the perfect crispy skin on your chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is recommended to use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces. The bone adds flavour and moisture to the meat, and the skin protects the meat, locking in moisture and getting deliciously crispy in the air fryer.
Before seasoning, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the skin to crisp up. You can then season the chicken with your desired spices and herbs. For a basic seasoning, you can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried herbs. For extra crispiness, you can add cornstarch to your seasoning mix. Alternatively, you can sprinkle on some baking powder, which will help break down the bonds during cooking, resulting in crispier skin.
Once your chicken is seasoned, preheat your air fryer to around 400°F. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, skin side down. This will allow the skin to start rendering the fat without browning too much. After 10-12 minutes, flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 8-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For extra crispy skin, you can flip the chicken one last time and cook skin side up for the final two minutes.
Your chicken legs and thighs will now be perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
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The best seasonings and spices to use
The seasonings and spices you use will depend on the flavour profile you want to achieve. For a classic, savoury chicken flavour, you can use a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also add cornstarch to help the skin get crispy. For a sweeter flavour, you can add brown sugar to the mix. If you want a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the blend.
If you want to switch up the flavour, you can try other spice blends such as tomato powder, dried parsley, or sweet and smoky barbecue-inspired spices. You can also try a marinade or sauce such as honey garlic or a sweet and savoury blend.
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How to cook chicken legs in an air fryer
Chicken legs cooked in an air fryer are juicy on the inside and have a perfect, crispy skin. The air fryer is a great way to cook chicken legs as it is quick and easy, and you can add a variety of seasonings to suit your taste.
Preparation
Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. Place the chicken legs in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with oil. You can use any type of cooking oil, but just a little goes a long way. The oil helps the seasonings coat the chicken evenly and creates a crispy skin.
Seasoning
You can use any seasoning mix you like, but a popular option is a blend of brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, ground mustard, and a pinch of cayenne. You can also add cornstarch to help the skin get extra crispy! Place all the dry ingredients in a large zip-top bag and shake to mix well. Then, add the chicken to the bag with the vegetable oil and shake until the chicken is coated.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most recipes recommend preheating to between 380°F and 400°F for 5 minutes. Then, place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each leg so the air can flow freely.
Cook the chicken legs for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 8-10 minutes. If you want your chicken legs extra crispy, cook for 4-minute increments until you reach your desired crispness. The chicken is done when an internal meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg reads 165°F.
Serving
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve the chicken legs with a simple side, like roasted vegetables or a salad. Enjoy!
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How long to cook chicken thighs for
The cooking time for chicken thighs in an air fryer depends on a few factors, including the size of the chicken thighs, the wattage of the air fryer, and whether the thighs are boneless or bone-in.
For boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time will be reduced. It is important to monitor the internal temperature of the chicken, which should reach 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer. This indicates that the chicken is cooked through.
For bone-in chicken thighs, the cooking time will be longer. One recipe suggests cooking the chicken thighs, skin side down, for 12 minutes, then turning them over and cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes. If you prefer your chicken thighs extra crispy, you can cook them in 4-minute increments until the desired crispness is achieved. The total cooking time for this recipe is approximately 25-29 minutes.
Another recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes, then cooking the chicken thighs for 18-22 minutes, turning them halfway through. This recipe emphasizes the importance of using an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
It is worth noting that some recipes suggest cooking chicken thighs at a higher temperature of 400°F, but this may vary depending on the model and settings of your air fryer.
To ensure your chicken thighs are cooked to perfection, it is recommended to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model and adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
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What to serve with air-fried chicken legs and thighs
There are many options for what to serve with air-fried chicken legs and thighs. A simple option is to serve them with a big salad, such as a green salad. You could also serve them with a quinoa salad, tomato soup, or pasta.
If you want to serve your chicken with vegetables, roasted veggies are a great option, as these can cook in the oven while your chicken is in the air fryer. Try roasted broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or potatoes. Butternut squash and shredded Brussels sprouts are also tasty options.
If you're looking for something more indulgent, air-fried chicken legs and thighs go well with sweet potato fries or chips. You could also try them with potato salad, such as sweet potato salad, healthy potato salad, or pesto potato salad.
For a simple, quick option, serve your air-fried chicken with plain steamed rice and steamed peas or carrots.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 20 minutes to cook chicken legs and thighs in an air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, then place in a mixing bowl and drizzle with oil. Add seasonings such as smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss the chicken to coat evenly, then place in the air fryer basket, skin side down, and cook until golden and crispy.
