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.
Nick says
I’ve cooked this time and time again and it’s always so good! I change up the spices as I see fit but this recipes been incredibly amazing. Go chiefs.
Emma Schoetz says
That was incredible. Thank you.
Phyllis Thrush says
I just had this for dinner. Fabulous. I fixed it exactly per the recipe. The skin was so nice and crispy and the flavours yummy. Definitely adding this to the rotation. So easy to prep and cook. Big thank you.
Karol says
This was delicious! Yum!
Will be making them again ( and again)!
We loved them.
Susie says
This is my go to recipe for air fried chicken thighs. Super easy and so yummy!
Ro Williford says
I made the chicken thighs they were so delicious.
Julia says
Easy and good!
Samantha says
Great!
Bub says
You definitely earned a subscription so I did thanks for the easy chicken it was tasty
Graham Walker says
Simply the best thighs I have ever tasted. I cooked some up to add to my chicken pasta salad and they were perfect. The timing is spot on. I used to cook the skin side up first but I tried it this way and it is way better. So juicy and tender. Love it
Cindy Tessier says
I have never posted a comment about a recipe. This recipe was so awesome I felt that I had to post this comment. The outside of this chicken is very crispy and the inside is extremely juicy you can see the juice just coming out when you put your fork in it. It's very easy to make this chicken which is good because I'm very new it cooking. I will make this again definitely next week at our card game. I highly recommend it!
MW says
I added this recipe to my Paprika app and have made it many times, but I recently made it with big drumsticks which turned out wonderful.
I always add 1 tsp of aluminum-free baking powder with the oil/spice mixture and the results are super Crispy! 🙂 I also use 1 heaping tsp of all the spices but only 1/2 tsp of Kosher.
Thanks for the recipe! It's so simple and delicious!
Lisa Yarmesky says
Super easy and yummy! Highly recommend. Thank you
Paula says
My husband is crazy about chicken…anything chicken! We tried this and now it’s the only way he wants me to prepare it! I think the smoked paprika is the key ingredient. Great directions too!
Scott Mu says
Excellent! Mine came out perfect! I bookmarked this recipe for the future!
Dietra says
Thank you
Andrew J Zibuck says
Easily the best oven-baked chicken I've ever had.
Tom says
Nice and juicy. I did this in my convection oven and it turned out great!
Thuy says
FOOLPROOF juicy & crispy chicken thighs!!
I have the instapot vortex air fryer. 12 min skin down then 10 min on other side was perfect cooking time. I left seasoned chicken thighs in covered bowl on kitchen counter for 15 min so that chicken isn’t too cold (personal preference).
Will definitely use this recipe over & over!
Anna says
This is my go-to air fryer chicken thighs recipe. I've made them multiple times and they always try turn out moist & juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Super yummy ????
Cara says
The guys loved it!
Lynette Krueger says
That recipe isn't enough to cover 4 thighs if you use the bag. Next time I will sprinkle the seasoning over the thighs or make the seasonings 4 times what it says.
Claire says
I agree. I always triple the amount of seasonings and don't use the bag. I sprinkle the seasonings on the chicken and pat it down to make sure it sticks. I find anytime using the bag for anything doesn't do a good job of covering.
SonRay says
These sound delicious! Question when you turn the thighs over after 12 minutes skin down, would 12 minutes be enough cooking time for juicy things? My air fryer is powerful! I bet these would be delicious with bbq sauce on the side!
Anne says
Delicious! I've made this recipe with various sides a number of times and it is loved by all every time. So easy to time out with side dishes.
Mia says
I just made these but with 1 pack of boneless skinless chicken thighs from trader Joe's. Absolutely delicious! I'm so surprised because I only left the chicken in the ziplock bag with the seasoning in the fridge for ten minutes then put it in the air fryer. It took about 20 mins to cook but my family loved it! My 1 year old ate it up! This will be in my rotation. Oh and I served it with lil potatoes and asparagus.
Brenda Bee says
These are absolutely delicious. I removed the chicken skin before adding the spices. I can see this recipe being my go-to recipe for thighs in the air fryer.
Claire says
I don't eat chicken thighs but I made for my husband and used chicken wings for me. Came out delicious. The wings were so crispy.
Jus says
Just came here to get the timing for cooking some pre-marinated bone-in chicken thighs. They turned out perfectly crispy with your timing, so thank you! 🙂
Sandra says
Excellent!!! Crispy and juicy… love this recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Mary Monroe says
This chicken tonight in the air fryer very good. Will definitely make it again. Thank you.
Carol says
My husband made these last night and they were fantastic! A regular now in our rotation. Would highly recommend.
Jan says
Bone-in, skin on chicken thighs are cheap. I'd cook them various ways; they were...okay. Then I saw this recipe, air fryer's on the counter, I just bought thighs, what the heck. I thought, too much smoked paprika and oregano, but followed the recipe exactly, NO changes, and, WOW! It's my first time ever commenting on an online recipe...this is the BEST, most DELICIOUS way to season & cook thighs! I'll be looking at all your recipes Jennifer, thank you!
Laura says
Crispy with good flavor. Thanks for the recipe!
David J Abernathy says
I've made this chicken 3 times and each time turns out fantastic. My family loves it!
Jill says
A truly wonderful recipe and oh, so easy! I can hardly wait to make it again. It will surely become one of my favorite go-to recipes.
Jessica says
Perfect recipe. Topped my chicken off with lemon zest. Thank you for sharing.
Kay says
It’s my go to Air Fryer recipe for chicken thighs! Always comes out crispy, tender and simply delicious!
Karen says
These came out absolutely perfect and smelled amazing while they were cooking! Super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I often use a liner but decided not to because I didn’t want the juices to pool and make the thighs soggy. I think that was the better decision, aside from the clean up afterward. Hahaha
Pat says
Internal temp after following recipe was 190!
Jennifer Banz says
It is actually best to let chicken thighs go over 165F. That is when they are most tender. Chicken breast is 165F. https://www.thespruceeats.com/temperature-for-chicken-breasts-995349#:~:text=Chicken%20thighs%20and%20all%20chicken,melts%20and%20turns%20to%20gelatin.
Cheryl Lynn Palmer says
I just made this dir my husband for dinner and he told me to Save the Recipe!! Amazing, super moist chicken. Thanks so much!!