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.
Bernadette says
Oh my!!! These are THE best chicken thighs I have ever eaten!! This is the only way my husband wants them cooked. I have made these several times and they are consistently good. I have shared this recipe with friends. I keep the recipe in my air fryer so I don't have to look for it when I have some thighs defrosted.
Great recipe.Thank you!
Charlotte says
I removed the skin and this was still crispy and delicious!
Lynn Pittman says
Thank you sooooo much for this recipe, it's amazing.
Cynthia says
Oh my gosh these were delicious!!! Mine took a few more minutes, but they were juicy with crispy skin. And the spice blend is terrific! Thank you for such a great recipe.
Susan Twitty says
Absolutely the best!
Nancy N Thompson says
Can't wait to try this recipe Thank you Nancy
Lindajastremski says
My best goto chicken thighs
Aimee says
Super moist in the center and crispy on the outside! Followed the timing perfectly but added more seasonings (my mom says I over season so)!!
Judy Burdette says
Very easy and delicious! Thank you!
nadia says
moist and delicious.
Courtney Weidman says
I love this recipe!!! I am trying with drumsticks tonight I am hoping there’s not much different that I have to do… maybe the time decreased? I’m not great with cooking,
So hopefully I can make this work!
Josie says
Yum!
Vivien says
you will never need another recipe again. these are freaking amazing.
Jennifer Banz says
So happy to hear that!
Jr says
Awesome! Add 2 min. Per side and perfectly cooked!
Frances Barrera says
Mine didn’t get crispy at all. They were very tasty so not unhappy but I added minutes as suggested and the pieces would not crisp up. They also took more minutes to get done.
Debbie says
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN THIGH DINNER AND MORE
I used your spice mix with changing oregano to dried sweet basil. I'm just not a huge fan of oregano.
doink! never thought to put skin side down first to let skin render.
I love crispy chicken skin and your methodology putting skin side down is scientifically obvious. But it took your recipe to get me there.
I took out the chicken thighs with their crispy skins and used THE SKIN as veggie wraps. OMG, so delish. Then ate some of the meat. The remainder meat will become CHICKEN SALAD.
THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING A WAY TO AIR FRY THIGHS THAT GIVES SUPER CRISPY SKIN AND MOIST DELISH MEAT FOR MORE THAN ONE MEAL.
Michelle Jenkins says
Very tasty and very easy to make! Next time I'll add add minced garlic and lemon, but I was surprised at how tasty these were! A keeper for sure!
Tommy G. says
Delicious! Next time, I'm going to use blackened seasoning.
Matthew says
I have tried this twice and I think I really got it down now. The second time was a hit. Thank you
Michael Lott says
Good simple recipe, I just put my own twist on it. Italian dressing, and a touch of old bay.
rita says
very and crispy skin
Mikah says
Just finished cooking these following this recipe for the first time. Simple and delicious!! Was wanting to cook bone in thighs for a while, but I honestly didn’t know how’d they do in the air fryer (granted you can cook anything in them now lol). Will be doing it often this way! Thank you!
Maggie says
Wow this is absolutely delicious. I cook it as is the recipe. But I took the chicken out and took the skin off .then put the skin back for 2 mins whilst dishing up. Wow
Kevin Woitas says
EXCELLENT.
Loves2cook says
Does this make your air fryer smoke?
Jennifer Banz says
It shouldn't. If your air fryer is smoking it is likely from grease build up.
Danelle Canzoni says
I make this once a week and add to rice and veggies! So tasty and so easy! Thanks for sharing!
Jeff Frane says
I've used your approach twice now and absolutely love what you've brought to the table. My air-fryer isn't huge so a Costco portion of thighs takes two batches, but the leftovers are delicious cold. Pre-heating, pre-spraying and starting the thighs skin down was the key. The only change I met, the second time was to give the chicken a good dusting of Johnny's Seasoned Salt instead of your rub. Years and years ago I learned about Johnny's from the church ladies outside the Mt Angel rodeo and always relied on it when grilling chicken because it's delicious and I'm lazy. Using your guidelines in the air-fryer got me chicken as good as I ever got on the grill.
Cindy says
I only have skinless chicken thighs. Can I dredge them in flour to make it crispy?
Jennifer Banz says
You could try but I cannot guarantee it would work. I would definitely reduce the cook time.
Nancy says
Incredible recipe!! My husband and son are fussy eaters and they both said it was the best chicken they’re ever had. So easy, too. It was perfection the very first time I tried it. ????????
Paula Adams says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I always got my air seasoning from the store never knew the chicken could be crispy without airfryer seasoning.
William says
Great recipe, left a taste that makes you want another piece. Will be using this one again and again. Might even try it on pork chops.
Vicki says
Can I use a liner in the basket?
jenniferbanz says
yes
Delores says
This recipe was so delicious! Tasty!
Easy! It's a keeper.
Roxana Lopez says
I used your method (with my own spice choices) for air frying chicken thighs tonight for dinner. They came out perfect! Done to perfection, with a lovely crisp skin. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Annie says
This was my first time to use an air fryer. So excited. Turned out perfect. Loved the seasoning mix. I will be making this again
John says
So good great recipe ????
Leilah B. says
Delicious and my 5 year old enjoyed making this too and enjoyed it! <3 great idea putting them skin side down first to render the fat!
Jill C says
Definitely our go to recipe. We use boneless thighs and turn out perfect every time! ????????????
Cindy Davis says
Great recipe!I won’t cook it any other way.My husband raved over it.Thanks……
Theresa says
My daughter loves to make salad and she always beg me to air fry some chicken thighs and legs to go with it. This has become our favorite meal ever since. Thank you
Sherry says
I had never cooked bone-in chicken in the air fryer and boy was it delicious! Crispy, juicy, tender!!!
Brittany says
Needed to figure out how to use my new air fryer and while I was taking my time finding recipes online, planning meals, etc., the boyfriend shows up with chicken thighs (expecting me to know what to do with them). Scrambling for what to do, I didn’t even have chicken thighs in mind for meals so back to the search I went and found three to choose from, changed my mind mid-prep, and settled on this one.
Made it for the first time about a year ago, and I feel like this is all we’ve eaten since. Maybe not ALL we’ve eaten, but pretty darn close, as he seriously begs me to make it at least once a week, MINIMUM.
Thanks for the delicious recipe. You’re a lifesaver!