Pull those bone in, skin on chicken thighs out of the refrigerator and make these air fryer crispy chicken thighs tonight! Â In under 30 minutes you will have a delicious family friendly dinner.
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. Â 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. Â 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.
Jennifer's tips
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Bea Gaunt says
I have just purchased airfryer and have no idea how to cook in it as it doesn’t come with instructions, today I would like to cook chicken thighs and roast potatoes but don’t know where to start, any help would be appreciated.
I bought a recipe book but it does not show basics, I tried to cook carrots to try but had to throw them away as they were dried up and shrivelled, I didn’t know you had to marinade.
HELP
Jennifer Banz says
Hi Bea! I would love to help you! Vegetables are mostly water, so when air frying, the water is going to evaporate and the vegetables will shrivel. You could blanche in boiling water to mostly cook them before finishing them in the air fryer. Then you don't need to air fry them as long, and they'll retain more moisture and volume. For chicken thighs and roast potatoes you can follow this recipe above, we're just going to put the potatoes in the air fryer under the chicken thighs: cut your potatoes into 2 inch chunks and toss with a little oil and your favorite seasonings. Put them in the air fryer basket first, followed by the chicken thighs, skin side down. Air fry for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs over. At this time, toss the potatoes so they cook evenly. Air fry for 10-15 minutes more, until the chicken thigh skin is crispy, and/or the potatoes are fork tender.
Bill says
I happen to have boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Will this recipe still be good? Any adjustments?
Jennifer Banz says
They will cook much more quickly...probably half the time. Other than that, it will be great!
Brenda says
Have made this many times,and told my son about it, we love it
Michele says
My chicken turn out great
Diane Payne says
What does it mean to cook in 4 min increments? Do you cook in 4 min increments AFTER you cook it for 22 min or do you turn it every 4 minutes?
Jennifer Banz says
If you would like your chicken thighs really crispy, cook them in 4 minute increments until they are as crispy as you want them. So add 4 more minutes to the time and then check on them. If they need to be more crispy, do 4 more minutes.
DennyB says
This was by far the best way to cook my chicken thighs by adding the 4 minute increments. I got the desired crispiness I was looking for. Thanks!!!!
Diane Payne says
Did you turn it every 4 min or did you keep adding 4 min after the 22 min?
Holly says
I subscribed to highfalutin low carb, and Wes sings your praises...
So here I am, I am on a 16-8 fast regimen and I need great low carb/ keto recipes that are quick and easy..
Jennifer Banz says
Oh wow, I had no idea! Good luck on your journey!
Jannifer says
The spice combination was perfect.
Amy Blevins says
What air fryer do you use?
Jennifer Banz says
I use this one: https://amzn.to/3L4uy0L
Nancy says
A perfectly delicious and simple recipe! The spice seasonings are spot on. Best air fryer chicken thighs I have ever tasted!