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
Recipe Card
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.
Tracy Reynolds says
So easy to prepare and delicious.
Rodney Barfield says
Can I use boneless and skinless chicken thighs
jenniferbanz says
Yes but the cooking time will be much less
Cris says
WOW WOW WOW
These came out amazing. Followed your recipe exactly. I think preheating makes a difference. Printed out to go in my quick and tasty recipe collection.
Katie says
Love this recipe! So easy and fast!
Judy Malone says
Could you make it possible to send this recipe to a friend by email? Great recipe!
jenniferbanz says
You can copy the link URL and paste it in an email
Sue Manber says
This was my maiden voyage with my new air fryer and came out perfectly. Yum crispy skin and moist as can be. Will definitely make again.
Kathy Chernicky says
What temperature do you cook them on? 380?
jenniferbanz says
yes
Tami says
Absolutely amazing! I don’t normally like thighs, but this was so good! Will definitely make again and again.
Annemiek says
Awesome recipe. Thank you for publishing it. Made it as written* and timing worked great for my airfryer and the seasonings were amazing. (*the paprika I used was smoked but, I'm sure it would've been fab with regular paprika too.)
Annemiek Gersten says
Awesome recipe. Thank you for publishing it.
Julie Simpson says
Only change I made was brined chicken for 2 hours in pickle juice, then followed the recipe exactly. I think with my air fryer I could cook a little less. LOVED THIS! THANK YOU!
Katie says
This was soooo yummy! My chicken was done in less time, crispy and moist! I will definitely make this dish over and over,thank you!
John Pavliga says
When you refer to four-minute increments, does that mean turn the thighs over every four minutes? Thanks a million!
jenniferbanz says
Just check them for crispiness every 4 minutes. Don't flip
Jane says
Excellent recipe. Crispy skin and juicy chicken. And no billowing smoke in my kitchen! Thank you!
Amy says
Just bought a new Ninja Foodi and this was the first thing I made in it. The chicken was juicy but crispy and the flavor was amazing. My whole family loved it! This recipe will be in high rotation, for sure. Thank you for the recipe.
Sandi says
I Followed these directions to a T and my one chicken thigh was bloody. I ended up air frying it an additional 25 minutes at 5 minute increments before it finally stopped bleeding. Once done, the thigh was perfect!
jenniferbanz says
All air fryers cook differently that's why I have step 5 that says: Thighs are done when an internal meat thermometer reads 165F. Serve.
KC says
Really good and flavorful! First time I made fried chicken in the air fryer and certainly won’t be the last. Thank you for the recipe—spot on!
Denise says
So good!!
So easy!!
Bruce Paulsen says
Tried this recipe in my Instant Pot Air Fryer for the first time. Excellent! I used chicken thighs and they were so tender. I threw in some Brussel sprouts in the last five minutes. Wow! Thanks for the recipe!
Satri says
HOLY SCHNIKEY! This recipe is awesome!
David says
Oh my gosh, talk about perfectly crispy skin. I'll never bbq or deep fry again. Chicken was so juicy and tender and the spice flavor was right on the money. I can't wait to try doing some wings, so looking forward to some crispy teriyaki wings,hmmmmmmm.
LisaT says
Nice & crispy chicken. I only made 3 thighs and felt the seasoning was too little. I added some more seasoning. Otherwise, timing pretty good.
Yumino Snyder says
Super delicious and so easy to make!!! Thank you for this great recipe!!! Amazing!!!
Rosa says
Just pulled this out of my PC air fryer. It is simply amazing! My mind is blown!
Lupe says
Hello and thanks.
Do you spray the baskets? Do you place the baking pan underneath?
The spice mixture is on point. Thanks
J. S. Payer says
To what Temperature is the air fryer set?
Mt guess is 400F... Is this correct?
jenniferbanz says
380F
Heather says
Just made this recipe! WOW! Never want to eat chicken another way again.
Beth says
I love this recipe. It tastes better than any fried chicken I have ever had. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful recipes. Prior to this recipe, the only otehr thing that I have liked in my air fryer was asparagus. Looks like I'll be using it much more
Carrie says
This is the best chicken! I got my air fryer but had not really been using it but my husband and I will be using it and this recipe frequently now! I did add a little bit of Thyme to the rub. Make sure you don’t overdo on the salt as some of your other spices can be salty. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Sondra says
12 minutes each side, skin was nice & crispy, meat was perfection.
Karesha says
I made the chicken last night and my family loved it....,Thank you
Pat says
I made this chicken tonight. It was so good! I air fried it 12 minutes on each side, perfect! Thank you!
Clare says
Is the time different for boneless thighs?
jenniferbanz says
Yes, much less
Granni says
I have been cooking chicken thighs for too many years to count These are the best non deep fried ones we have ever eaten Thanks for sharing and this is going into our rotation.. Kids, grandkids and us everyone approved ... Make lots cause they will go quickly Our air fryer has three wire shelves so we can make 12 at a time which really does help...
Meredith says
These were fabulous! The chicken was so juicy and tender while the skin was incredible and crispy! My husband isn’t a big chicken lover but he licked his plate and asked if I could make another batch tomorrow 🙂
Nancy says
This is the recipe I’ve been searching for years. Definitely my go to chicken recipe from now on. Juicy, crispy, delicious and super easy. What more could you ask for.
Paula says
Great taste and crispier than expected!
Linda says
This will be my go-to chicken...so delicious! Thanks, Jennifer.
Nita says
These were simply delicious & so easy to make. I m doing my second batch of them tonight.
Leslie says
The chicken came out fabulous. Nice and juicy. I served this with your cauliflower mac and cheese with bacon. Both recipes were a big hit with the family. Thank you so much for your wonderful website. It makes the low carb lifestyle easy to do.