Air-Frying Succulent Chicken Thighs: The Perfect Temperature

Chicken thighs are a popular choice for air fryer cooking, as they can be cooked to a perfect crisp on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer is around 375-400°F (190-200°C), and they should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. For a better texture, some sources recommend cooking chicken thighs to an internal temperature of 175-185°F.

Preheat the air fryer to 380F/190C/375F/400F

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can add the chicken thighs. It's important to pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel before placing them in the air fryer. This will help to ensure that they cook evenly and have a crispy exterior. You can also brush the skins with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer.

When air frying chicken thighs, it's important to use a meat thermometer to check the doneness. Chicken is safe to eat at 165F, but for thighs, it's common to cook them to a higher temperature for better texture. Dark meat internal temperatures should ideally be 185F to get them tender.

Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel

To cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 375F-400F (190C-200C).

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This is an important step to guarantee a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Place the chicken thighs, skin-side down, in a single layer on a plate. Brush the skins with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Place the chicken, skin side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. For a better texture, you can cook the chicken thighs to an internal temperature of 175F-185F.

Seasoning: salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, Italian seasoning

To cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375F-400F (190C-200C).

For seasoning, combine salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. You can add the chicken and oil to a bowl and mix together with the seasoning, or place the chicken in a large zip-top bag and add the seasoning on top.

Place the chicken, skin side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F-185F. The chicken is safe to eat at 165F, but cooking it to a higher temperature will improve the texture, especially for dark meat. Always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken.

Cooking time: 12 minutes, flipping halfway through

To cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 375F/190C. In a bowl, add the chicken and oil and mix together. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and garlic powder and mix well. Place the chicken, skin side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.

Chicken is safe to eat at 165F, but for thighs, it is common to cook them at a higher temperature for better texture, perhaps around 175F-185F. Dark meat internal temperatures should ideally go even higher, to 185F, to get the meat tender.

Always pat dry the chicken before seasoning it. This guarantees a crispy exterior and keeps all the juices inside. You must flip the chicken halfway through to cook both sides evenly.

Chicken is safe to eat at 165F, but cook to 175F-185F for better texture

Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. However, for better texture, it is recommended to cook chicken thighs to an internal temperature of 175°F-185°F. This is because dark meat internal temperatures need to be higher to get the meat tender.

To cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F-400°F. Add the chicken and oil to the air fryer basket and mix together. Then, add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and garlic powder and mix well. Place the chicken, skin side up, in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is important to always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of chicken. Ready-to-eat chicken needs to have an internal temperature of 165°F. Always pat the chicken dry before seasoning it to guarantee a crispy exterior and keep all the juices inside. You must also flip the chicken halfway through to cook both sides evenly.

Frequently asked questions