Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Published 7/17/2023 • Updated 9/19/2023
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My air fryer has become my new sous chef giving me a healthy alternative to frying things. It’s been especially handy for air frying chicken thighs! Let me tell you, I don’t even miss eating fried chicken because this method is so good 👯♀️
This air fryer chicken thighs recipe will get you super crispy chicken without deep frying! Dry rub your chicken thighs and then air fry for around 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. It’s that simple.
We love to air fry chicken thighs and so do you! This is one of our most popular air fryer recipes and so many of you have rated it 5-stars and made it time and time again.
If you are used to whipping up baked chicken thighs or grilled chicken thighs to get them nice and crispy, the air fryer is going to change your life. When I say these are so crispy, I mean it!
And best of all, when you cook chicken thighs in the air fryer you don’t need to use tons of oil like you do when deep frying. Instead, you use a drizzle on just a little bit and let the air fryer do the work!
How long should I cook chicken thighs in the air fryer?
For bone-in chicken thighs, set your air fryer to 400ºF and cook your chicken thighs for ~16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF – 165ºF.
Best Chicken Thighs for Air Frying
Chicken thighs (bone-in): for this recipe, we’re using bone-in thighs. We love how juicy the insides come out with bone-in thighs. Feel free to use boneless skinless chicken thighs if that is your jam. We recommend lowering the cooking time by a few minutes on each side to prevent over-cooking.
chicken seasoning ideas!
If you have any of our homemade seasonings on hand, feel free to use around 1-2 tablespoons in place of the listed spices.
Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs?
You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Just lower the cooking time to 16-18 minutes, depending on how thick your chicken thighs are.
Can I use marinated chicken thighs instead of a dry rub?
Marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer are delicious too, but they may not come out as crispy due to the added moisture.
How long should I cook chicken legs if I don’t have thighs?
Chicken legs in the air fryer should take a similar amount of time. Start by air frying for 8 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 6. Check the internal temp and keep cooking until they reach 160ºF – 165ºF.
Do I have to preheat my air fryer?
We recommend preheating your air fryer for a few minutes so that it can get up to your desired temperature.
How do I know when my chicken thighs are fully cooked?
The best way to know if your chicken thighs are fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Make sure that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken is 165ºF.
Try it!
Thermoworks Thermapen
We swear by using a meat thermometer when cooking any cut of meat. The Thermapen is our go-to meat thermometer that works every time.
How to Store Leftover Crisp Chicken Thighs
Once your chicken thighs have cooled, transfer them into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days.
To reheat: air fry at 350ºF for 2-3 minutes. Or, microwave on high for around 60 seconds.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Complete your meal with some of our favorite easy side dishes.
- Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Asparagus
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs, We used 4 bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs from Trader Joe's
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF and spray the inside of the basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and brown sugar to a bowl and mix until combined.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a piece of paper towel and sprinkle the dry rub over the chicken thighs. Be sure the dry rub covers the entire chicken thigh.
- Place the chicken thighs skin-side down into the air fryer and drizzle them with olive oil. You may have to do this in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry for 8 minutes. Flip, and air fryer for 8 more minutes. If the internal temperature of the chicken is 160ºF – 165ºF and the skin is crispy, remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer. If you would like your chicken thighs crispier, cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Let the chicken sit for 3-5 minutes and enjoy.
Tips & Notes
- Instant Pot: sear chicken breast in olive oil for 2 minutes on each side. Remove them and add the trivet. Place the chicken on top and air fry on high pressure for 5 minutes with a quick release. Learn more from our Instant Pot chicken thighs recipe.
- Stovetop: sear chicken breast over high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Then, turn the heat down to low/medium and cover. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Oven: line a baking sheet with tin foil and a metal baking rack. Place the chicken thighs on top and roast at 400ºF for 30-35 minutes. Learn more from our oven chicken thighs recipe.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
I want everybody to know you do not and I repeat do not use cooking sprays in your non-stick cookware. I’ve been a chef or was a chef for many years you do not use this because the aerosols and other stuff in the aerosols will ruin the non-stick. It will kill it it’s non-stick for a reason you don’t use any type of sprays in it. Now you can use olive oil out of a jar that’s fine or any oil out of a jar plastic container or something like that but not out of a spray can. Some of you may have found the South by now some of you and most of you probably haven’t and if you haven’t trust me on this I would not be posting this if this was not true cuz once you ruin it you got to go buy a whole new set. Just because you may have been using it for a little while and nothing’s happened doesn’t mean the damage is not being done that you can’t see yet. But if you don’t want to believe me or trust me it’s something that’s easily looked up and you can find it online.
Absolutely loved this recipe! I tried it with boneless thighs too, and the juiciness from the air fryer was incredible. Thanks for the tip! 🍗👌