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.
LindaSS says
Oh my goodness! One of the best crispy thigh recipes I have made and enjoyed so much.
Jill says
Absolutely delicious. Sooo moist. I will never bake chicken in my oven again.
Mary Thurston says
I made these tonight and they were delicious. I'm not normally a chicken thigh eater but this recipe changed my mind.
Sandy says
At what temperature do you cook them?
Unity says
It said in the recipe instructions 380F
Giannina says
The flavors penetrate the chicken so much better than I expected! This turned out so good. For ultimate crispiness: after coating the chicken with the spices, I sprinkled some baking powder on the skin and rubbed it in before putting in the air fryer. And after the first half of cooking when you flip the chicken, I gave the chicken skin a tiny spray of oil. SUCH crispy skin!
Audra A Fischer says
Stuck to recipe mostlY.. added another spice. The chicken was moist and juicy. I didnt use any oil at all and the skin was still SUPER crispy! I was impressed. Loved it!! Thank you!
Martha says
This was 100% one of the best chicken thigh recipes I've ever had. So simple, and the seasoning combination was just perfect. And fast! Very very happy with this. Good job!
Roe says
Made this yesterday..absolutely delicious!
Paige says
Turned out amazing; thank you so much!
Judy says
Have made this a bunch of times! It's a hit with everyone that tries it. I just sprinkle the spices over and rub them in as I found the bag method didn't work well. I also double the spices.
Mariam says
It's really amazing! Very tasty very crispy very fast and very easy. Thank you
Michael says
The best, time and time again!
Susie says
Can I use thighs without the skin?
Tania says
So easy to make made for my husband super crispy very good thank you for posting ❤️
Joelle says
This is my go to recipe that my family and I haven’t been enjoying for a couple years now. I make weekly and it always comes out juicy and flavorful.
Mandi says
These are perfection. Everyone in my house loves them (including my picky 5 year old).
Pat says
Excellent! It's now part of my go to chicken thighs recipes..
Kathy Paradise says
These were so easy to make! And super delicious. This will certainly be a
recipe I come back to use. Thanks for the recipe!
Holly says
They chicken thighs turned out amazing! Great recipe. Thank you!
Melanie Hazelrig says
I love this recipe. I had a couple of large thighs in my frig, so I used this recipe and cooked both intending to save one for today. I roasted chunks of sweet potato with them. After I ate the one for yesterday and thought about something sweet for dessert, I realized I would rather eat the second thigh. It was just that good!
Becki Tracy says
OMGosh Jennifer! I bought chicken thighs today without my glasses and obviously not seeing that they needed to be cooked TODAY. I found your recipe on Google and prepared them from your instructions. After turning them, my AF dinged, they were a perfect 165 degrees and delicious! I downloaded your E-Cookbook. You just made my night and I can't wait to see more! Thank you so much!
Becki Tracy
Robyn says
This chicken was FANTASTIC!!! So quick, so crispy, so delicious. I am saving this recipe for sure!!
PattyH says
Very good. Thank you for posting.
YUMM says
Made this tonight. My first foray into air fryer chicken and this was the PERFECT entry level recipe! We devoured it.
Frank says
I make this and in the last few minutes, I baste with a thick mix of honey and sriracha mix.
Rebecca says
Love this added suggestion. Going to try that tonight. Thank you
Deedra Barnes says
These are amazing and so easy to make! I’ve passed the recipe to my kids that need easy at this point in their lives! Is there a reason you can’t use boneless? Sometimes those are easier to find.
Jeff L says
For sibo or gluten free option, re remove onion and garlic and add in rosemary, cayenne pepper and 2 tb of olive oil to help coat.
Nancy says
Just like the prior comment….easy & delicious. We loved them!
Cynthia A Jones says
Great recipe for which I am going to try tonight, thank you.
Joyce Maniscalco says
Very easy and delicious! I made 4 and we ate them all. Thank you Jennifer
Beemom says
This was my first air-fry attempt, and I was so pleased with how it came out. My husband and I were amazed at how tender and juicy the chicken was.
Thank you for posting your recipe.
Lily says
This recipe is perfection ???? ????!!
gailani says
These are so easy and so delicious!!!
John says
Brilliant, thank you! ????
Al says
Tried this was good try this one on your thighs
Tomato powder
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Sweet smokey Paprika
Dried Parsley
S&P
Yummo
Gail Arana says
Delicious I just made this. I wouldn’t change a thing. Very helpful for high protein. Thank you.
Gail says
I just made this. It turned out delicious I’m trying to stay high protein and this really works out great I wouldn’t change a thing!
Lori says
This recipe has become a regular on our rotation. So easy to prep and so delicious!
Flo says
Great! Operated my air fryer for the first time with your instructions, my chicken came out amazingly perfect!
Katie says
These were so good. I'm a terrible cook but these were so easy to make. Both kids (12 and 3) also came back for seconds!