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!
What You Need to Air Fry Chicken Thighs
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.
Olive oil: olive oil is used to make sure these chicken thighs come out nice and crispy. Feel free to swap for a different oil.
Spices: the spice combination in this recipe is so delicious. We’re using salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and brown sugar.
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.
FAQ
Set your air fryer to 400ºF and cook your chicken thighs for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Yes, you can cook raw chicken in the air fryer. It’s one of the best ways to get it nice and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Chicken thighs will take around 16-20 minutes depending on the size of the thigh. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp for doneness.
Cook chicken thighs in the air fryer for 20 minutes at 400ºF, flipping halfway through.
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 Chicken
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 lb. bone-in chicken thighs, (we used 4)
- 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 the air fryer to 400ºF and spray the inside of the basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the chicken by patting them dry with a piece of paper towel.
- Add the garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and brown sugar to a bowl and mix until combined. Then 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 the chicken thighs with olive oil. You may have to do this in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Set the air fryer for 8 minutes, flip the chicken thighs, and cook the chicken thighs for an additional 6-10 minutes depending on the size of your thighs.
- 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 2 minutes. Let the chicken sit for 3-5 minutes and enjoy.
Tips & Notes
- The cook time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken thighs.
- If you’re using boneless, skinless thighs, decrease the cooking time by 2-4 minutes.
- For best results, do not stack the chicken thighs in the air fryer.
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! 🍗👌