Air fryer chicken thighs Recipe

Craving crispy, juicy chicken thighs but don’t want to heat up the oven? Look no further! These air fryer chicken thighs are perfect for a quick, family-friendly dinner in under 30 minutes. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll have crispy, tender chicken ready to serve in no time!

Why Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?

Cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer ensures perfectly crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender. Here’s why I love this method:

• Quick Cooking Time: These thighs take about 25 minutes in the air fryer, which is perfect for busy weeknights.
• No Mess: Say goodbye to splattering oil on your stovetop!
• Crispy Skin: The air fryer is ideal for achieving that crispy chicken skin without the need to deep fry or turn on the oven.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Avocado oil spray (optional for extra crispiness)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer:
   Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Once preheated, lightly spray the basket with avocado oil cooking spray. This step ensures extra crispiness for the skin!
2. Prepare the Chicken Thighs:
   Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps achieve crispy skin. Trim any excess skin from the thighs to ensure even cooking.
3. Season the Chicken:
   In a zip-top bag, mix the chicken thighs with smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Shake the bag until the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings.
4. Cook the Chicken:
   Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, skin-side down. This helps render the fat from the skin without browning it too much. Cook for 12 minutes.
5. Flip and Finish Cooking:
   After the first 12 minutes, flip the chicken thighs over so the skin side is up. Continue cooking for another 12-15 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer.

Cooking Tips

• Air Fryer Size:
  If you’re using a 6-quart air fryer, four chicken thighs will fit comfortably. For smaller air fryers, you may need to cook the thighs in batches.
• Crispier Skin:
  For an even crispier finish, consider spraying the chicken with a little more avocado oil before the second round of cooking.
• Perfect Internal Temperature:
  Always check the internal temperature with a thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless thighs, but they will cook a little faster—around 15-18 minutes total. Be sure to check the internal temperature.

Do I need to flip the chicken?
Flipping the chicken halfway through ensures an evenly crispy skin on both sides. However, if you prefer, you can cook them skin-side down the entire time, but flipping them usually gives the best results.

Air fryer chicken thighs Recipe

Recipe by Admin

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DinnerCuisine: American

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

22

minutes

Calories

239

kcal

Total time

27

minutes

These air fryer chicken thighs are perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside — all ready in under 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (trimmed of excess fat and skin)

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon oregano

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Directions

• Preheat the Air Fryer:
  Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes. After preheating, spray the basket with cooking spray if desired to ensure extra crispiness.
• Season the Chicken Thighs:
  Place the chicken thighs into a large zip-top bag or a bowl with a lid. Add the kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and onion powder. Shake or stir to coat the chicken thighs evenly.
• Cook the Chicken (Skin Side Down):
  Remove the chicken thighs from the bag and arrange them in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Cook for 12 minutes.
• Flip and Continue Cooking:
  Flip the chicken thighs so the skin side is up and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. For extra crispy skin, cook in 4-minute increments until you reach your desired crispness.
• Check the Internal Temperature:
  The chicken thighs are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C). Keep in mind that cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer.
• Serve and Enjoy
  Serve your crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs with your favorite sides. Enjoy

Notes

• Adjust for Size: Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the thighs. Be sure to check for the correct internal temperature.
• Crispy Skin Tip: For extra crispiness, you can cook the chicken in additional 4-minute increments.