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–+ servings
cooked chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.
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4.75 from 12 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

These air fryer chicken thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in just 25 minutes! Simple seasonings and one pan make weeknight dinners effortless.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 483kcal
Author: Becky Hardin

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
    thickly seasoned raw chicken thighs on a white plate.
  • Place chicken thighs into the prepared air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, skin side up.
    close up of raw seasoned chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.
  • Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes skin side down, or until the internal chicken temperature has reached 165℉.
    close up of juicy cooked chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.
  • Remove chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

*If using boneless thighs, cook for 10-12 minutes, then flip and cook 3-4 more minutes.
Tips:
  • 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.
Storage: Store Air Fryer chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1thigh | Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 416mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 374IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg