Air-Fried Chicken Thighs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken thighs are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in a variety of ways. One popular method is to use an air fryer, which can create a crispy skin and juicy meat in under 30 minutes. The key to achieving this is to ensure the chicken is patted dry before cooking, and to cook the thighs in a single layer to allow the hot air to circulate. You can also experiment with different seasonings to change the flavour profile of the dish.

How to make crispy chicken thighs in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on, or boneless and skinless)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika or sweet paprika
• Dried oregano
• Lemon (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F for 5 minutes. If you want your chicken to be extra crispy, spray the air fryer with cooking spray or rub the chicken thighs with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer.
• Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim away any excess skin.
• In a small bowl, combine the seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano. You can also add the juice of half a lemon to the mixture if desired.
• Rub the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs, making sure to get some under the skin for maximum flavor.
• Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Air fry the chicken thighs at 380-400°F for a total of 22-27 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer, so use an instant-read thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If you are using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, there is no need to flip them during the cooking process.
• If you are cooking frozen chicken thighs, increase the cooking time to 24 minutes and then check the temperature with a thermometer. Add an extra 2-3 minutes if the chicken is not yet fully cooked.
• To make the chicken extra crispy, cook for an additional 4 minutes at a time until the desired crispness is achieved.

How to make juicy chicken thighs in the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs, or 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Oregano or dried herbs

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
• Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil.
• Combine your seasonings in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken pieces and rub it in, making sure to get some seasoning under the skin for maximum flavour.
• Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down.
• Air fry the chicken for 12 minutes, then flip and cook for another 7-12 minutes for bone-in thighs, or 11-15 minutes for boneless thighs. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Tips

• You can switch up the spices to change the flavour of the chicken.
• If you want to add lemon to your recipe, squeeze the juice from half a lemon over the chicken thighs before adding the seasonings.
• If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• For a crispy finish, spray the air fryer with cooking spray before adding the chicken.

How to make chicken thighs in the air fryer with a spicy kick

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1/2 tablespoon of smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, for serving

Method:

• In a large bowl, combine the paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
• Pat the chicken thighs very dry on both sides, then add them to the bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then toss to coat in the spice mixture.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side down, making sure they are not touching.
• Air fry the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh (but not touching the bone) reaches 155°F.
• Set aside, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes (the temperature will continue to rise). Serve hot, with lemon wedges (squeeze them over the top) and sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Tips:

• For an extra crispy skin, spray the air fryer with cooking spray before adding the chicken.
• If you prefer your chicken thighs without the skin, simply remove it before adding the spices.
• You can also try other variations, such as Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs or Lemon Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.

How to make chicken thighs in the air fryer with a garlic paprika rub

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs (or 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Take the chicken thighs and pat them dry with a paper towel. Rub them with olive oil.

In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken thighs and rub it in well.

Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side down. Make sure they are not touching each other. Air fry the chicken thighs for 12 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 7-12 minutes, until they are cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but the cooking time will be shorter (around 11-15 minutes total).
• If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.
• For extra crispy skin, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray before adding the chicken.
• Serve with roasted vegetables, salad, rice, or mashed potatoes.

How to make chicken thighs in the air fryer with a parmesan twist

Ingredients:

• 3-4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 2-2½ lbs.), skin removed if desired
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp cracked pepper
• ¾ cup breadcrumbs, or panko
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• Olive oil
• Salt

Method:

• If necessary, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Pat the chicken thighs dry and then toss them with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to evenly coat.
• Toss the breadcrumbs, parmesan and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Coat each chicken thigh entirely with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it into all sides.
• Place the chicken thighs presentation side (skin side) down on an oil-sprayed air fryer basket or rack.
• Cook for about 12 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs and heat for another 6-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the largest piece reaches 165°F.
• Remove from the air fryer and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Try to ensure all of the chicken thighs are approximately the same size. If the chicken thighs' sizes vary greatly, they will cook unevenly. If one is much larger, it will need more time to cook. You can remove the others when ready and continue to cook the larger one for longer.
• All air fryers cook a bit differently, so get to know your air fryer and keep an eye on your chicken for the best results.
• For crispy, juicy chicken, try to get a little seasoning under the skin.
• You can remove the skin if you prefer, but keeping the skin on will help seal in the juices.
• For the best texture, use grated parmesan rather than shredded.
• You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko. If you need gluten-free, simply sub in gluten-free breadcrumbs. If you opt for Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, just omit the Italian seasoning from the recipe.
• Extra virgin olive oil is preferred, but you can use another cooking oil if you don't have it. Avocado oil is another great option.
• If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can use a mixture of dried oregano, basil, thyme, parsley and rosemary.
• Freshly minced garlic cloves are best, but you can substitute with about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Serving suggestions:

• Mac and cheese
• Gruyere mac and cheese
• Parmesan mashed potatoes
• Spring salad
• Roasted green beans
• Honey biscuits

Frequently asked questions