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.
Rick M says
The thighs came out perfect! Great seasoning and very crispy! Thanks for the recipe!
Angie says
I can absolutely not cook, and this is always a hit. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Lucille Weaver says
Thanks for sharing
Stephanie W says
Great for meal prep!! I do not like chicken skin so most of that was taken off so I didn’t expect it to be supper crispy. However, it was still pretty crispy on the outside and moist in the inside. Very filling also. Doubled this recipe so I have enough for all my lunches and at least 2 dinners. So easy! Now I just need to prep a couple of vegetables and my week will be fully planned.
Paul E. Wogg says
Wow!
This was really good!
The seasonings are a perfect match. After tasting this tonight for the first time, I have added it to my go-to recipe file.
Thank you Jennifer Banz for posting this!
Oscar says
Looks so good, can’t wait to try this recipe.
Monte L says
My wife and i have been making this wonderful thigh recipe from your website for quite a while now, but we made them for my very picky 85yr old mother last night and she normally doesn’t like chicken skin, but she “Gobbled”(excuse the pun Jen) these thighs up and when she was done, i was afraid to take her empty plate for fear of her mouth and my fingers being to close! So simple, quick and easy. I’m printing her a copy as i type. Thanks for a great fast Air-fryer recipe! (BTW the additional four minute extra time to crisp up the skin is a great recommendation)
Randy Holtz says
Holy Moly! Easy Peasy! Thighs that open your Eyes! Yummy in the Tummy!
Marguerite Roache says
Amazing recipe. Chicken was indeed crispy and moist. My new favorite chicken thigh recipe.
Cathy D. says
Made this tonight and was very leary because I don’t like dark meat. I googled “dark meat chicken air fryer” and your recipe was the first and pretty much the only one that looked like a winner. My husband gave so many compliments during dinner and said it was a 5 star recipe.
donna giblin says
These were soooo good!
Jackie Lingner says
My husband has never been a fan of chicken thighs. He is now. He actually asks for these! Thank you!
Em says
This recipe was delicious. This will be my go to in the future. Even my other half that is usually only a boneless skinless chicken breast fan ate these, even the skin and absolutely loved them. Crisp and so very tasty.
Kathy F says
This recipe turned out so well! The family said it was some of the best Chicken I have ever cooked! The only thing is my air fryer started to smoke although it’s been recently cleaned after about 15 minutes so much so that we put it out on the front porch… LOL we cooked out the rest of the way and it was perfectly fine ..no problem! Next time we will just do it all on the front porch
Jill says
Delicious! Husband said it’s the best chicken I’ve ever made. 😊👍
Veronica says
I made these and they were a hit!
Barbara says
Loved loved loved!!! So crispy snd juicy!!!
Shi says
Keeper for sure. We love this. I fix in our ninja foodi. (Aircrisp). My husband said don’t lose that recipe! Seasoning great as always. And very very crispy and juicy.
Sandy says
Love this recipe, easy and quick and yummy of course.
Kimberley says
Love that it was so easy. How do you suggest I moisten it?
D Craig says
My sons favorite chicken! I have a pampered chef airfryer. Turns out perfect every time.
Nancy E. Frias says
It looks like you have a “separate” basket inside the black machine basket? Is that true or is it the same black basket with handle that is part of the machine? I have the same machine but it doesn’t have the metal looking basket with holes in it that your picture shows. Don’t want to wreck the air fryer if I am supposed to use a separate basket.
Jan says
Outside of the chicken was crispy and had great flavor. Inside was juicy and flavorful. My husband gave it 2 thumbs up!
Vicki Howe says
And thank you. Husband loved them…
Vicki Howr says
Outstanding recipe. The chicken was extra crispy and still moist. I continued the four minute intervals twice…
Mary Meyer says
Easy Peasy. Just like Mamas without the Air Fryer. Air Fryer makes my life a lot less time in the kitchen. Easy to make 1 person meals.
Mary Meyer says
Best way to cook chicken thighs. Reminds me of my Mamas Southern Cooking.
Judy says
I’ve made these several times, so crispy and delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Joanne says
Great chicken and done so quickly! I’m happy that I don’t have to turn my oven on when we have a hot day! Thank you for the recipe!
Kendra says
This was delicious! So crispy! Haven’t had the best results with the air fryer up to now but this worked great!
Sherry says
We’ll try this recipe tomorrow.
Lisa Newman says
Just made this. Perfect easy delicious!
Carol Thomas says
New to air frying. This is my favorite recipe I’ve tried.
Thanks Jennifer!
Frank says
Very happy this day all tasted super delicious
Norm says
Easy to make. Taste great
Candice Koladycz says
Thank you for this recipe! I always use lemon pepper but my family didn’t seem to be huge fans but they love this one!
Kelly says
Thanks for the recipe, just cooked it and it is delicious. Crispy on the outside and juicy when you bite into it. Five stars all around.
Directions were very easy to follow also.
Alex says
Five stars all around, gives four stars…. ;-/
Gord H says
Finally, a recipe for air fried crispy chicken thighs that lives up to it’s billing.
It did wonders for the mashed potatoes, green and yellow beans that were part of the act.
Thanks,
Janet says
I was just trying to decide what to have with this recipe. Your sides sound perfect! Thanks!
Yvette says
Finally an air fryer recipe that worked! The chicken turned out perfect. The prep was very easy. Seasonings were simple and staples in my pantry. So good I made it for Sunday dinner and lunch tomorrow.
Rosemary Benlice says
Calories is per chicken thigh?
jenniferbanz says
Yes
Dennis Bernard says
Thank you
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!