Pull those bone in, skin on chicken thighs out of the refrigerator and make these super crispy air fryer chicken thighs tonight! In under 30 minutes you will have a delicious family friendly dinner.
Looking for boneless skinless chicken thighs?
I have a version for that here → Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Whenever I want a quick dinner I reach for this Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipe
I’ve been making chicken thighs this way since I bought my first air fryer back in 2018, and it’s one of those recipes that never gets old. It’s reliable, easy, and always turns out exactly how I want it. In fact, this is one of the meals my family asks for at least once a week, which tells you everything you need to know. It’s simple enough for a busy night, but good enough that everyone actually looks forward to it.
The seasoning on these chicken thighs is what really makes them stand out. It’s simple, but the combination of smoked paprika, garlic, oregano, and onion powder gives them so much flavor without overpowering the chicken. As the thighs cook, the spices mix with the rendered fat from the skin and create that crispy, flavorful coating that makes these hard to beat. You don’t need a complicated marinade or a long ingredient list, just a few staples that work every time.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
This is the perfect way to cook juicy 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.
If you prefer the oven, my Oven Baked Chicken Tenders recipe is another reader favorite.
My method for crispy chicken thigh skin
I start by pre-heating the air fryer before I spray with avocado oil cooking spray. I do this only when I want my food to be really crispy.
I make sure the chicken thighs are patted dry with a paper towel 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 preheated air fryer basket in a single layer skin side down.
I do this so the skin can start to render the fat without browning the skin too much. It gives the best results!
I also do this with my Air fryer whole chicken recipe.
My Air fryer has a 6 quart basket so 4 bone-in chicken thighs fit perfectly.
If your air fryer is smaller you would need to cook these in batches.
After the bone-in 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 using an instant read thermometer.
The result is the juiciest chicken with the crispiest skin.
Tips from Jennifer's Kitchen
- Trim the excess fat and skin: This is essential for crispy chicken thigh skin. I have purchased packages of chicken thighs that need to be trimmed a lot! You just want to leave enough skin to cover the top flesh of the chicken.
- Cook above the safe temp: You may need to cook these over the 165F target temperature to get the crispy skin we are after. That's okay because chicken thighs are very forgiving. In fact, they reach their peak tenderness between 185°F–195°F (85-90C)
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the time they just need to cook longer. Make sure you trim the excess skin on each thigh (sometimes there is quite a bit around the edges)
I do when I want extra crispy skin. Starting with a hot air fryer helps the outside cook right away. Just like pre-heating your oven, pre-heating your air fryer is essential for even cooking and consistent cook times.
I would recommend my recipe that is dedicated to boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer.
It really depends on the size of your air fryer. Some baskets, like my 7 quart air fryer, can hold 4 chicken thighs. You want to make sure to have them in the basket in an even layer for even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve these air fryer chicken thighs with cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
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
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 380F (193C) for 5 minutes. After pre-heating, spray with cooking spray, if desired.
- 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.
- Remove from the bag and place the chicken thighs in the air fryer, skin side down, and air fry at 380F (193C) for 12 minutes.
- Turn your chicken thighs skin side up and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. If you would like your chicken thighs super crispy. Cook for 4 minutes increments to get your desired crispness.
- The chicken thighs are done when an internal meat thermometer reads 165F (74C) inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer. You may need to cook these over the 165F target temperature to get the crispy skin we are after. That's okay because chicken thighs are very forgiving. In fact, they reach their peak tenderness between 185°F–195°F (85-90C)
Notes
- Trim the excess fat and skin: This is essential for crispy chicken thigh skin. I have purchased packages of chicken thighs that need to be trimmed a lot! You just want to leave enough to cover the flesh of the chicken.
- Pre-heat the air fryer: This ensures consistent cooking and the fat will start to render from the skin right away.
- Start cooking the chicken thighs skin side down: This is my method for super crispy skin without the tops getting too brown.
Diane Zollo says
Best chicken I've had in a long time. Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Terence Murphy says
Super easy and super'delicious
Jenn says
I’ve made this recipe for my family for months now. They absolutely love it and so do we.
The recipe is so delicious I highly recommend it. My husband isn’t a big chicken eater but he loves this recipe. Thank you, thank you.
Ann Marie says
Love this recipe! It is a favorite in my family’s dinner rotation. (I may be a little heavy handed on the spices because it’s so good!)
Jan says
Oh I love this recipe. Nice and crispy! The spice mixture is great. It's better to just sprinkle it on the thighs as they get gummy and coat unevenly when you shake them in a plastic freezer bag. I used the leftover spice on prawns too. I've added your recipe to my favourites.
Carolyn says
I'm not a huge dark meat fan but I got some bone in thighs for a great price recently and this is the only way I will cook thrm. I have a smaller sir fryer and I cook 2 pieces.
Howard says
The only thing that could make this any easier is if it came precooked. Excellent recipe. I do add about 1/2 tsp of pepper (either course ground black or cayanne) just because I like it that way, certainly not because it needs it since when I make it for other people, without the pepper, they still say it's the best chicken they've ever had.
Terri S. says
This chicken is freakin’ awesome! My hubby even loved it and he’s picky. The combination of seasonings is spot on.
Anna Rees says
Chicken thighs were so crispy and juicy. Spice mix gave a nice taste!
Jonathan Paul Bryans says
I don't understand why people want to add their additions to your recipe. I cooked as it was published and it was an absolute delight!!!! Thank you. For those 'show-offs' quit adding your additionsnto a perfectly sensible and delicious recipe.
Wayne Parrish says
I blundered into this site by accident today and just enjoyed the best chicken thigh dinner ever and I love thighs. I seasoned the thighs with a cheap discount store chicken seasoning, mostly salt, and let them sit awhile in a marinade of Cholula hot sauce. I did have to cook an extra 5 minutes. The skin was quite crisp with a slight blistered look. I never expected to get such flavor and texture without breading. I am an old, Southern, widowed country boy and I love chicken. This was the best.
Jenn says
I love this recipe. I cook this at least once a week and my family also loves it. I will continue to cook this as long as I can. So crispy and so favorable. I will make this again and again.
Judy says
Delicious !
Gail Mathieson says
Excellent!! Skin a bit too crispy, but that was my fault. Will fix me error next time time because there will be another time.
H H elen says
Made this and it came out perfect. My family loved it. Ty!
Sheila says
Great flavor! Easy! New favorite!
Shannon says
Hot damn, the chicken came out PERFECT! Thank you!
Dianna says
Delicious my favorite way to cook chicken the paprika I use is the sweet and spicy perfect every time
Herbie pitchuck says
Easy recipe and great tasting
Melissa C Hamilton says
Gonna be one of those people who changes a recipe up, but I did use the basic ingredients. We love air fryer bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs so I coated them in the spice mix, cooked at 360 degrees skin down for 12 minutes, then skin up for 15 minutes. Made the sauce as written in a skillet, frying the garlic in a bit of oil before adding the cream and dried tomatoes. When it thickened, I added the spinach until wilted, turned the heat off and added the parm cheese. Served the sauce over pasta as a side to the chicken. Delicious!
Jill says
with the timing be the same for bone in with skin removed?
Jennifer Banz says
Here is a boneless recipe: https://jenniferbanz.com/air-fryer-boneless-skinless-chicken-thighs
zygmunt fronczak says
May I season chicken cuts today for next day air frying,
Jennifer Banz says
Yes that will work!
B L says
Just learning to cook i'm 63 on my own. And this is the best chicken. I've ever made. I just want to thank you so much for a great recipe. That I know it cooked and tastes great? I will be back as soon,as soon as I eat this chicken, I'll start looking for more.help Thanks again. Amazing I never learned to Now I respect what my wife did for us.
Angela says
So simple and delicious. This is my go to! Thank you!
Chris says
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make.
Jen says
Loved the flavor and how easy it is. Will try more of your creations.
Dorothy says
Same question as another commenter-what temp do you cook them at after preheating?
Thanks.
Jennifer Banz says
The same temperature that you preheat the air fryer to.