Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryer chicken thighs are a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner as it requires minimal prep and very few ingredients. The air fryer is a great way to cook chicken thighs as it results in juicy meat with a crispy skin. You can also customise the recipe by using different seasonings or serving it with a variety of sides.

Choosing the right air fryer

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right air fryer for you. Firstly, you should consider the type of air fryer you want. There are two primary types of air fryers on the market: those with baskets (or drawers) and those with mesh trays or racks. Basket air fryers are the most common and typically have a tub that you slide out to put your food in. They come in digital and manual forms, with the digital models allowing you to control the temperature and cooking time with the press of a button. Mesh tray air fryers, on the other hand, cook food in a flat or shallow receptacle, similar to a countertop toaster oven. Some models even have multiple racks, allowing you to cook a full meal at the same time.

Another thing to consider is the capacity of the air fryer. Most air fryers are designed to fit neatly on your countertop and are not big enough to cook for a crowd, unless you cook in batches. However, there are some larger models available that can accommodate substantial batches of food, multiple cuts of meat, or even a whole chicken. If you're cooking for one or two people, a 2- or 3-quart air fryer should be sufficient.

Price is also an important factor, with air fryers ranging in price from $30 to $400. While you don't need to spend a lot to get a high-performing air fryer, the more expensive models tend to have more advanced features, such as dehydration, baking, and rotisserie cooking functions.

Finally, you may want to consider the brand of the air fryer. Some popular brands include Black+Decker, Chefman, Cosori, Cuisinart, Dash, Elite Gourmet, Gourmia, GoWise, Hamilton Beach, Instant, Ninja, Oster, and PowerXL.

Selecting the best chicken thighs

Bone-In vs. Boneless:

Start by deciding whether to use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs. Bone-in chicken thighs are generally recommended for air fryer recipes because they result in juicier, more flavorful meat. The bone helps to keep the meat moist and also adds flavour to the dish. Boneless chicken thighs will cook faster but may not yield the same level of juiciness.

Skin-On vs. Skinless:

When it comes to air frying chicken thighs, leaving the skin on is usually the best option. The skin helps to lock in moisture, ensuring your chicken stays nice and juicy. It also gets nice and crispy, adding a delicious texture to your dish. If you prefer to remove the skin, you certainly can, but be aware that your chicken may dry out faster and won't have that crispy exterior.

Fresh vs. Frozen:

Fresh chicken thighs are typically preferred for air fryer recipes. However, if you're short on time or want to save some money, frozen chicken thighs can also be used. Just be sure to increase the cooking time by a few minutes and consider rubbing some oil on the chicken to help the seasonings stick.

Size and Quantity:

When selecting chicken thighs, choose ones that are roughly equal in size so that they cook evenly. Also, pay attention to the size of your air fryer and don't overcrowd the basket. You want to make sure there's enough room for air to circulate around the chicken, so it cooks properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Quality:

Whenever possible, opt for high-quality, fresh chicken thighs. Look for chicken that is air-chilled, free-range, or organic to ensure the best flavour and texture.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to selecting the perfect chicken thighs for your air fryer recipe. With the right ingredients and proper cooking techniques, you'll be able to create a delicious and juicy meal that your family and friends will love!

Preparing the chicken

Selecting the Chicken Thighs

Firstly, it is recommended to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. This cut of meat will result in juicier and more flavorful chicken. Boneless chicken thighs will cook faster but may be drier, and skinless chicken may not have the desired crispy exterior. If you do use boneless and skinless chicken thighs, you can still achieve tasty results, but the cooking time and technique will need to be adjusted.

Drying and Trimming

Before adding any seasonings, it is crucial to pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This step helps to remove any excess moisture, ensuring a crispier skin. Additionally, you may want to trim away any excess skin or fat from the chicken thighs. This step is optional but can help ensure even cooking and a neat presentation.

Seasoning the Chicken Thighs

Now comes the fun part—seasoning the chicken! You can get creative and experiment with different seasonings to suit your taste preferences. A simple seasoning mix could include smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also try more exotic blends like Italian seasoning, curry powder, or even a dash of brown sugar for a BBQ-style flavor. Be sure to coat the chicken thighs evenly with the seasonings, rubbing them into the meat.

Oil and Cornstarch

After seasoning, drizzle or brush a small amount of cooking oil over the chicken thighs. This step helps the seasonings adhere to the meat and promotes a crispy skin. For an even crispier exterior, you can also add a light dusting of cornstarch to the chicken before adding the oil.

Preheating the Air Fryer

While you are preparing the chicken, it is a good idea to preheat your air fryer to 375°F to 400°F. This step ensures that your chicken starts cooking as soon as it hits the air fryer basket, leading to better results. Most air fryers will take a few minutes to preheat, so factor this into your preparation time.

Arranging the Chicken in the Air Fryer

When placing the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, arrange them in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. It is recommended to place the chicken skin-side down first, especially if you want to focus on getting that crispy skin. Leave a little space between each thigh to allow for proper air circulation, which is crucial for even cooking.

Cooking the chicken

Firstly, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to 375°F–400°F. While that's heating up, rub your chicken thighs with olive oil and a mix of seasonings. You can use any seasonings you like, but smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and pepper work well. You can also add cornstarch to your seasoning mix to help the skin get extra crispy.

Once your chicken is seasoned and your air fryer is preheated, place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Make sure there's a little space between each piece of chicken to allow the hot air to circulate.

Cook the chicken for 10–12 minutes, then flip the thighs over and cook for another 8–12 minutes. You can flip the chicken one last time and cook skin-side up for the final two minutes to make the skin extra crispy. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring your chicken is juicy and tender.

Serving suggestions

Salads

A simple salad such as a side salad, a Caesar salad, or a quinoa salad is a great, healthy option to serve with your chicken thighs. You could also try a broccoli salad or a macaroni salad.

Vegetables

Air fryer chicken thighs go well with a variety of vegetables, including roasted butternut squash, shredded or sautéed Brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, corn on the cob, and green beans.

Starchy Sides

For a more substantial side, try serving your chicken with potatoes, such as roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or homemade fries. Alternatively, you could try rice, such as brown rice, mushroom rice, or lemon rice.

Other

Other options include cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a baked potato.

Frequently asked questions