My favorite way to cook chicken thighs quickly these days is in my air fryer, because they come out so juicy and with the most perfectly crispy skin! All I have to do is rub some bone-in chicken thighs with a simple seasoning mix, and then they’re ready to eat for dinner in just 25 minutes. This crispy chicken thigh recipe is the definition of quick and easy!
5 Star Review
This was super easy and delicious!
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Air Fried Bone-in Chicken Thighs
I love using my air fryer for quick, easy meals. So whenever I need to throw together a simple weeknight dinner, I turn to these air fryer chicken thighs because I know my whole family will love them. I prefer to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs because they’re extra juicy, rich in flavor, and that crispy skin is hard to resist.
I make a savory mix of salt, black pepper, white pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder to season them, and it really goes with everything. But these thighs are great with just about any seasoning blend, from taco seasoning to blackened seasoning, and everything in between. love making these simple chicken thighs to go with leftover rice, roasted veggies, or to have on top of a yummy salad.
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Start with Room-Temperature Chicken for Juicier Thighs
Bring chicken thighs to room temperature before seasoning and cooking them–I usually take mine out of the fridge about 30 minutes beforehand. This helps the thighs cook evenly, prevents the skin from over-browning while the inside stays undercooked, and keeps the meat super moist and juicy.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (room temperature*)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning Rub:
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Coat the chicken thighs in olive oil on one side. Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl, then rub the seasonings on the chicken thighs. Flip the thighs and coat with remaining olive oil and seasonings.4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 4 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon ground white pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Place chicken thighs into the prepared air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, skin side up.
- Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes skin side down, or until the internal chicken temperature has reached 165℉.
- Remove chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- Preheat the fryer before adding the chicken so that it cooks through evenly.
- Letting bone-in thighs sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes ensures even cooking and prevents cold spots in the meat.
- Moisture on the skin prevents crisping, so patting the thighs with a paper towel before oiling and seasoning helps get that crackly skin.
- Seasoning Variations: Chicken Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Blackened Seasoning
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you want to double the recipe, cook the chicken in two batches. Air flow is key for crispy skin.
- I recommend cooking chicken thighs to an internal temp of 170-175℉ for the juiciest meat.
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes after air frying to lock in juices and improves texture.
- Reheat in a 350°F air fryer for 3-4 minutes to recrisp skin instead of using a microwave.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – Cook Time
- Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs: Cook at 400℉ for 15 minutes, then flip and cook 3-4 more minutes.
- Boneless Chicken Thighs: Cook at 400℉ for 10-12 minutes, then flip and cook 3-4 more minutes.
How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs Step by Step
Season the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ and spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray. Pat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry, then coat in 4 tablespoons of olive oil on one side. Mix ½ teaspoon of ground white pepper, 1 teaspoon of ground paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper in a small bowl, then rub the seasonings on the chicken thighs. Flip the thighs and coat them with the remaining olive oil and seasonings.
Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs skin-side up into the prepared air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air flow is key for crispy skin.
Flip the Chicken: Flip the chicken thighs so they are skin side down and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 170-175℉. Remove cooked chicken thighs from the air fryer. Let sit for 5 minutes to redistribute the juices before serving.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Store leftover air-fried chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight before reheating chicken thighs in a 350°F Air Fryer for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through. Skip the microwave; it will make the skin tough and rubbery.
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