Pull those bone in, skin on chicken thighs out of the refrigerator and make these air fryer crispy chicken thighs tonight! In under 30 minutes you will have a delicious family friendly dinner.
Related: I get all of my grass fed beef and pasture raised chicken from Butcher Box. Read my honest review here.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
This is the perfect way to cook chicken thighs for that extra crispy skin and no need to heat up the oven.
- Just 5 ingredients – chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and onions powder (plus salt and pepper but those don’t count!)
- Cooks quickly thanks to the air fryer – These take about 25 minutes in the air fryer…which is great!
- No splatter on the stove top!
Personally, I think the air fryer is the best invention besides a home coffee maker. I use mine just about everyday!
I love to make burgers, pork tenderloin, crispy pork chops, and even crispy Brussels sprouts.
My method for crispy chicken thigh skin
I start by pre-heating the air fryer before I spray with cooking spray. I do this only when I want my food to be really crispy.
I make sure the chicken thighs are patted dry and any excess skin is cut away.
Then I mix the chicken thighs with all of the seasonings.
Now we can place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down.
I do this so the skin can start to render the fat without browning the skin too much.
I also do this with my Air fryer whole chicken recipe.
My Air fryer has a 6 quart basket so 4 chicken thighs fit perfectly.
If your air fryer is smaller you would need to cook these in batches.
After the chicken thighs cook skin side down, we can flip them over and continue to cook them until the skin is nice and crispy and the internal temperature is 165F.
Making this a complete meal
I like to serve these air fryer chicken thighs with cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - Super Crispy!
INGREDIENTS
- 4 Bone in, skin on chicken thighs, trimed of excess fat and skin
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your air fryer to 380F for 5 minutes. After pre-heating, spray with cooking spray.
- Add the chicken thighs to a large zip-top bag or a bowl with a lid. Top with the kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano and onion powder. Shake to coat.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer, skin side down, for 12 minutes.
- Turn your chicken thighs skin side up and cook for 10 minutes more. If you would like your chicken thighs super crispy. Cook for 4 minutes increments to get your desired crispness.
- Thighs are done when an internal meat thermometer reads 165F. Serve.
charles halaby says
Dinner for two: two large thighs plus choice of veggies (broccoli, potatoes, brussel sprouts, etc) all go in the plastic bag with seasonings. Then all go in the air fryer, chicken skin side down to start. Cook 12/10 minutes and test for doneness. This is a terrific recipe.
Krystal Miller says
These were a big hit even with my very picky kids. The seasoning was delicious and the perfect crisp. Great recipe!
Jeff says
Best non-Crisco fried chicken I’ve ever had. Thank you!
Vee Baklini says
Great recipe !! Family loves these thighs cooked in the Air Fryer
Lara says
This was so tasty!! I don’t usually use the air fryer, but I’ll definitely use it again for this recipe. The flavors & cooking time were spot on.
Barbara Angle says
This was a good recipe. Thank you
Melissa says
Delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Steve G. says
These came out great!!
Debbie Lopez says
Love
Betsi says
Absolutely delicious. Hit with my family. Will definitely be making this again. Thank you for sharing.
Dawn says
I have never made chicken that actually tasted as good as this. Thank you for simple, flavorful and fun recipe!!
Keith J says
My first meal in my new air fryer and it was incredible! Great flavor, super crispy skin and moist meat inside, even though I probably overcooked it a bit. Minimal effort and a superb turnout!
Denise says
This was the best thing I’ve cooked in our new air fryer. Crispy, moist and flavorful. Great recipe, and instructions helped a lot.
SUE says
Great . Love how easy this was. Nice and crispy
Elisa says
One of my absolute favorite chicken thigh recipes! I make it once a week now! Thank you!
Michelle Santurro says
SO. FREAKING. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I trade the smoked paprika for regular and these are my absolute favorite thighs! Easy and delicious. The compliments I receive when I serve them is also kind of nice. 🙂
Anna says
My new go to recipe for chicken thighs. Love the crispy skin and the moist interior. Thank you for sharing.
Erna Toledo says
Thank you. I made this and my hubby’s mouth was watering, it tasted so good! I kinda tweaked it and added tiny slivers of butter on top.
Paired it with roasted sweet potatoes for hubby and cauliflower rice for me 😃
Gretchen says
Very good and so easy/fast!
Nancy says
Fantastic recipe….this chicken was perfect. Will make again for sure.🥰
Angela says
Thr best thighs from my air fryer in months! Perfect seasoning, moist and crispy. Saving this recipe.
Dawn Gilbert says
I was very skeptical about the ability to form a crispy crust, but these are terrific! Crispy skin and tender, moist inside. Great flavor as well and super easy! My new “go to” for fried chicken!
Lisa Heizer says
The absolute best chicken that I have ever made and possibly the easiest. Makes me want to get a 2nd air fryer!
My family couldn’t quit talking about how wonderful it was!
This recipe will be used weekly.
Thank you!