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.
Sheila Pocknett says
my chicken came out awesome.!!!!!
Barrie says
Absolutely delicious! So moist! My husband and I loved it! We will definitely make this again!
Jacqueline V. says
I make this often. This is my go-to recipe. No complaints and no changes needed. Thank you for a staple recipe I will use again and again!
Kim says
I made this recipe exactly as stated and the chicken turned out delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Lori says
This is the only way that I can get truly crispy skin on chicken...air frying it. I followed the recipe exactly, with the exception of prepping the chicken thighs earlier in the day by combining the spices in a custard cup and sprinkling both sides of the thighs that I placed in a shallow plastic container. Reheating was a breeze in the air fryer as well. Three minutes on each side at 390 degrees.
Karla Long says
These are definitely one of my go to recipes. I also have a 6 quart basket and 4 large or 5 medium sized thighs fit perfectly. I never spray my basket with cooking spray. I find if you cook them skin side down for the first half of the cooking time there is no stocking and they always come out crispy on the outside and juicy, tender and fully cooked inside. Delicious!
Terrie K says
Crispy and tasty. Leftovers were also good, although not as crispy. Even reheated in air fryer.
Sally Brown says
Can this be made using frozen thighs? If so how could I go about it? Thanks! Sounds delicious! Comments are awesome! I’ve got to try this for sure.
jenniferbanz says
They would need to be thawed first
Leslie says
No, you want your chicken to be pretty dry
-like pat it off with paper towels before putting spices on it-so it turns out crispy and tender.
Tommy says
Great Recipe! Added a teaspoon of baking powder to the mix as it helps the skin crisp more.
DiAnna Cooper says
This is my first recipe with my new Air fryer. It was amazing. Easy to follow for a first time user and delicious.
Susan pahman says
So easy and so good.
Rebecca S Schott says
This was so delicious! My husband loves crispy chicken and it was perfect! Thank you for the recipe!
Brian says
Carb count?
Reggie says
Jennifer. I love the fact that you share your recipe without making me jump through hoops. Thank you. I will be following you from now on.????
Kathy says
This was absolutely delicious! My husband don’t like mushrooms and he loved it! He even asked if this could be in our dinner rotation. A keeper!????
Carol says
Made this recipe as is. My husband said it was fantastic!
Nina says
Crispy outside, juicy inside - we couldn't believe how delicious this was. Wow!!! This is our new, go-to chicken recipe.
Claudia P says
Definitely will do this recipe again and again. Crispy & flavor outside, really juicy and tender inside...I so have picky eaters but I got complements after dinner 😉
THANK YOU!!!
Craig says
Easy and fantastic flavor!
Zaak OConan says
Made this tonight.
12 min flip 12 more and done.
Extremely tasty.
Connie Losee says
Wow! This air fried chicken thigh recipe is how I broke in my brand new just-out-of-the-box air fryer. I was scared to death I'd burn it or something being totally inexperienced using an air fryer. Thanks to your recipe and perfect instructions' these were the best chicken thighs I think I ever made. I am hooked on your air fry recipes and this weird contraption. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Sioned Lang says
In another recipe, you said you also use the baking powder in your chicken breast recipe. But your Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, there is no baking powder. They still turned out great, no complaints, but I have 4 more breasts & will add the BP.
Karla says
I have a Emeril 360 and it doesn't have a basket. It has a wire rack. I was wondering if I would get the same outcome with this type id Air Fryer?
jenniferbanz says
Should work perfectly!
Brian says
Carb count?
Chrissy says
Can you use boneless chicken for this?
jenniferbanz says
You can but you would want to cook them for a much shorter time
Brenda Piña says
These were so easy and great for a Sunday easy lunch!
Judi says
Does this not have any carbs with the seasonings? Thanks.
Tara Stevison says
It was really good, I will definitely use the “other” grocery store chicken next time though.
Jen says
My family loves this recipe. I double up the ingredients and make 8 thighs at a time. I've also tried a batch with ceyanne pepper added to the seasoning and that was good too.
Jaime says
These may be the best chicken thighs I’ve ever made! My kids asked me to make them again tomorrow and they were so easy to make!
Judie says
Just learning to use the air fryer and enjoyed the recipe.
Julie Lyle says
I’m new to using a air fryer. Tried this and it was delicious!
Timothy Provost says
Perfect, thank you very much!!!
Terri says
We made this it was so delicious we had it two nights in a row
Ainslie says
This is an amazing recipe. It was soooo easy and turned out exactly as promised! The chicken was moist, crispy and delicious! We are new to the air fryer world so I'm trying new recipes all of the time. This is definitely keeper! I will be checking out more of your recipes both for keto and air fryer! Thanks again!
Shari says
These thighs were so flavorful and moist. I did the extra couple minutes to make the skin a little crisper. So easy and delicious. The whole family loved them. They will be on rotation for sure. Thanks for a great recipe!
Ramona says
Thank you so much so easy and good. I love my air fryer too. Best thing EVER
Bev says
The moistest chicken I have ever made! These were delicious and will be making again many more times.
Jacqua says
Looks great! I never get crispy chicken. Now with my air fryer I can make great crispy chicken.
Ann says
We had really big thighs, so I added about 5 minutes but this recipe works great! Thanks for sharing!
Eric says
WOW!!!!! 1 word.... AWESOME !!! Thank you!!!
Lisa says
Perfect measurements, perfect cook time- including the additional 4 minutes for extra crispiness (I tried both with and without). The whole family loved it!
Lynda H says
Absolutely fabulous! I did have to cook it the extra 4 minutes....the skin was perfect, then! Will definitely be my go-to recipe for bone-in chicken thighs 🙂
Nikki says
Amazing and simple