Pull those bone in, skin on chicken thighs out of the refrigerator and make these air fryer crispy chicken thighs tonight! In under 30 minutes you will have a delicious family friendly dinner.
Related: I get all of my grass fed beef and pasture raised chicken from Butcher Box. Read my honest review here.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
This is the perfect way to cook 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.
My method for crispy chicken thigh skin
I start by pre-heating the air fryer before I spray with cooking spray. I do this only when I want my food to be really crispy.
I make sure the chicken thighs are patted dry 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 air fryer basket skin side down.
I do this so the skin can start to render the fat without browning the skin too much.
I also do this with my Air fryer whole chicken recipe.
My Air fryer has a 6 quart basket so 4 chicken thighs fit perfectly.
If your air fryer is smaller you would need to cook these in batches.
After the chicken 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.
Making this a complete meal
I like to serve these air fryer chicken thighs with cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad.
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
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380F for 5 minutes. After pre-heating, spray with cooking spray.
- 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.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer, skin side down, for 12 minutes.
- Turn your chicken thighs skin side up and cook for 10 minutes more. If you would like your chicken thighs super crispy. Cook for 4 minutes increments to get your desired crispness.
- Thighs are done when an internal meat thermometer reads 165F. Serve.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Mandy says
Thanks very much for the quick, easy and delicious dinner! My boys said, “5 stars Mommy”!
Teresa says
Love this method of getting the chicken so crispy! When I made it everyone was asking what technique I used. Thanks for sharing
Ria says
Omg! You talk about some crispy skin, this recipe was fire! I added some Badia all season to season to it. Came out amazing! I did 12 minutes skin side down, then 12 minutes skin side up. Definitely saving this recipe!
Stephanie says
This air fryer is A Yes to fried thighs came out wonderful and Crispy without the mess off cooking oil to clean up Thanks for Sharing
Pat Crone says
Used boneless chicken thighs, marinate lemon juice, oregano paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, very little salt and black pepper, cooked for the 10 min. , turned over for 12 min. cooked perfectly.. Thank You.
Patrick Haugen says
Very good indeed. Did the milk soak first then Tragers rub supplemented with more smoked Paprika and garlic.
Followed then to perfection and reached temp a bit earlier than planned but perfect.
Great reception by me, frau, puppy and pussy cat
Sheila Hinds says
Love this recipe and I use the mix of seasoning on other meats!
RTN says
Outstanding technique coming from a Chef.
Jennie says
Made theae today in my Ninja 13-in-1 oven using the air fry setting. I marinated them for 2 days in buttermilk and garlic. Everyone loved them, my daughter commented on how the skin was so nice and crispy! Delicious recipe, thank you!
Heidi says
Came out perfect. I added a little bit of Memphis barbecue seasoning to all the rest of the seasonings because I wanted a little more of a kick
Z says
I just added 1/2 tsp of adobo seasoning and followed the rest of the recipe and they came out perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Mary Fry says
The t heights came out perfectly
Deb says
Perfect!
Kristi Foster says
We have a Cuisinart air fryer that could hold eight thighs, I kept with the four thighs. They turned out great, perfect seasoning, crisp. Will make this again.
Laura Follin says
We made this tonight… best chicken thighs EVER!! So juicy and CRISPY!!! Such a yummy weeknight dinner for sure!! I served it with mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus!! Highly recommend!!
CH says
Was delicious! The only thing is that I doubled the rub recipe for 8 thighs and the mix only coated 4 thighs even after doubling it! I would double it and maybe a little less salt if you watch your salt.
Joe says
Turned out perfect
Helen says
Making them now. My mom used to make chicken paprika as a child this is almost exactly like it. I'll let you know how it comes out !
Claire says
Have made this recipe many times and love it but will use the great suggestion of putting the spices together in a jar. Sometimes I sprinkle over and other times smoosh in a bag.
Thanks Jennifer and fellow followers 🙂
KP says
My friend showed up with chicken thighs I typically buy breast wasn’t sure how to cook them … this recipe hands down was amazing the reviews don’t lie! I added a bbq sauce for the last extra crispy mins & it turned out like restaurant quality.
Theresa Fisher says
Hi😁 I have an instant pot omni plus air fryer.
Will this work for this recipe? I love chicken thighs.
jenniferbanz says
It should work in any air fryer
Melissa Walker says
I am visiting my sister and she has never used her air fryer. Well tonight is the night. As crazy as this sounds, I absolutely love a pre-made seasoning from a box ( not going to mention a different recipe) but your seasoning mix sounds delicious. I'm not a fan of oregano so I may leave it out but I definitely plan on using yours next time. I thank everyone for their wonderful comments so they assure me that my next batch will be amazing. I can't wait to try it. As I sit here typing this, it just dawned on me that I have to make 2 batches tonight.. so guess what....one batch will be done with YOUR recipe. Y'all probably think I'm crazy...lol. I can't wait for dinner tonight. Thank you so much
susan A fordham says
I love this recipe! I have found it easier to use an old spice shaker bottle to mix the dry ingredients in a triple batch to have on hand when making this dish. I skip the plastic bag and just shake on each side before cooking, a little less messy in my opinion. YUMMY
Beth B says
Super easy and excellent. I put the spices in a plastic bag, then put the chicken in. I shake it and rub it so it gets covered really well. If the skin is loose, I try to coat both sides, but wrap it back up when I put the skin-side down. The family LOVES this recipe!
Linda says
These instructions for cooking chicken thighs was brilliant and they turned out beautiful thanks.
Beaver Island Guy says
I have made this MANY times. It is the very best way to do thighs in the air fryer.
Rhonda says
Absolutely delicious and so easy!!!! I hate to cook but this was so simple I will be making it over and over.
Ellen Van Hevel says
This recipe is amazing!! I have been looking for an air fryer recipe for chicken thighs, specifically.I need search no more.The seasonings are perfect, and I will do as others are doing--make enough to store in a spice jar for future use. Really good and tasty. Great idea for company. Thanks so much for sharing.
Nancy says
So delicious and nearly effortless! Thanks for a perfect chicken thigh recipe Jen! I think I will follow the suit of others and make up a jar of your perfect spice mix.
Becky says
Today I fell in love with this recipe and my air fryer!
Robert Hendryx says
Great recipe! It's easy to make and tastes good. Many thanks! 👍
Ann says
This recipe is part of our regular rotation. Love the flavor! The first time I made it my husband said it tasted like fried chicken. I've shared it many times with friends and family looking for air fryer recipes. Yum!!!
Peggy says
Made this chicken recipe about 3 weeks ago. My 14 yrs.old son loves this so much that he asks for it every night .v1 once a week is good. I had an old spice jar and pre mixed the ingredients and named the bottle " Matthew's chicken"
Gail Young says
That’s awesome!!
Paul Anthony Jenkisn says
Excellent recipe came out perfect and tasty.
Joy says
This is delicious and in fact I made a large batch, storing in a spice jar!
Karen says
Fantastic recipe, super easy
lana johnson says
Excellent. Turned out great. Loved the air fryer.
Lana
Marsha B. says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! These chicken thighs!!! I make them almost every week!
Denise Mills says
Oh my! I had already seasoned my chicken thighs but didn't know how I was going to cook them. I searched for 'air fryer chicken thighs' and saw that this recipe had 5 stars. Well, it's STILL FIVE STARS!! OK, truth be told, I am so pleased that the cooking instructions were spot on. The chicken was so good. I only made four pieces and wish that I had cooked another batch. I definitely will make this again... and again. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Denise says
My 6-quart air fryer has a bake, roast, and air fry setting. When you set the temp, which mode would you select?
Jessica says
Air Fry
Jessica says
The airfry setting
Donna Hacker says
Easy, very tasty recipe! I used chicken wings and drumsticks. Fabulous! Perfect balance of spices. I doubled the spice recipe because I needed more volume to cover my chicken pieces. We coukd eat this every night it’s so good!!!
Izzy G says
We had this tonight with homemade Cole slaw, cucumber salad, and local corn on the cob. So good!!! Summer in New England is the best!!!
Bill G says
I used my spices and followed the cooking instructions. It was great 👍. Next time I will try you spices. Great instructions. I will follow up using your spices.
Andrea Porcaro says
delicious. paired it with steamed green beans with sauteed garlic and crushed pecans drizzled with white balsamic reduction and a sprinkle of pecorino romano cheese truly yummy dinner!!
holly C says
i just finished eating dinner & had to come back & comment. this had the crispiest skin ever had!!!! and the chicken was so moist. very impressed with this recipe, & followed it to the "T". i am going to pin it & also copy/paste & send it in an email to myself-thats how good the chicken was
Elizabeth Hartley says
This is absolutely the best fried chicken recipe I’ve ever had. Shared with my neighbors and they raved over it.
This is so incredibly easy to make!
Sue Woods says
Made this chicken tonight and the granddaughter and her fiend really liked it. One recipe that will be on the repeat list!
Miguel says
Awesome chicken thighs! Very juicy and with tons of flavor! A new favorite!!! Super crispy!
Kelli says
Simple and delicious
Melva says
I used the exact ingredients and it was very juicy and delicious. My husband was very impressed! 😊
Vera says
My definite go-to recipe for the best air-fried chicken thighs! I’ve experimented with different spice blends, and always turns out amazing😃 I’ve also added some veggies like Brussels sprouts and asparagus in the air fryer during that last 10 minutes, and the steam and slight smoke from the chicken elevates the flavors of the veggies😎
Jeanine says
Very Good! Great flavor and crispy
Melanie says
I’ve never made a more perfectly cooked piece of chicken. Crispy skin, juicy and flavorful inside. Sooo good. This will be a regular in my kitchen.
Mary Ann says
Really good
Mack G. Borders says
Made the air fryer chicken thighs tonight for dinner. I used the spices exactly as called for in the recipe. It was necessary to figure out the temperature on my air fryer, this is a fantastic recipe, thank you Jennifer!
Billie Conley says
Loved this recipe. A very simple and quick dinner. Will make this often!
Charles G says
Absolutely delicious! I didn't have smoked paprika, so I substituted it with what I had on hand: Regular paprika and McCormick's Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning. I used a Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven SP100 Series. I'm definitely bookmarking this recipe. Thanks!
Elaine says
Hands down the best air fryer recipe I’ve tried yet. Amazing!!
Sheila says
I made your recipe for these thighs with baking powder in my air fryer yesterday, they were fantastic!! I also love love love your cheesecake recipe!
Debra Johnson says
This chicken is absolutely delicious! I will be making this often.
Leighann says
I love this recipe. We make it 3 times a month at least. The only thing I changed is the amount of salt. You don’t need all that salt for it to taste just as good. I put a little less then a quarter teaspoon in and it tastes just as good.. I also double the recipe because I coat the whole chicken and the amount in the recipe is not enough.
Douglas Johnson says
Simple and uncomplicated. Worked great thanks.
Kayla says
Amazing, amazing recipe!! I never used to eat chicken thighs until I bought an air fryer and used this recipe. As someone else stated, use exact measurements...such a great flavor. However, I didn't need to cook my chicken for a whole ten minutes after flipping...only did for 8 minutes for the perfect crispness.
M. Miller says
Beyond delicious. Cooked for 8 min after flipping for perfect crispiness.
Thank you!
Michelle says
Have made these at least three times, and they come out perfect every time! I am really impressed with how much grease is left behind using the air fryer! It makes me feel good knowing that grease ISN'T going into our bodies!
Anne-Marie says
This was the first time to use an air fryer. This was an easy recipe and it turned out great!
Conch711 says
What a recipe! Use as directed, lol, turns out awesome.
Camila says
So good ! Thanks for this
Damaris says
Delicious and so easy. I had to cook the thighs a bit longer in my air frier, but really came out very nicely. Juicy with a nice crisp. Even my kids liked this recipe (ages 8 & 6)! Thank you!
Holly says
These were soooooo good!! Impressed my husband with my first air fryer attempt thanks to this recipe. Thank you.
J Thomas says
Works well and turns out crispy! Great flavor. Will definitely make again.
Susan Ravens says
EXCELLENT and SO EASY!
Shirley says
This reminded me of the fried chicken my dad made when I was younger but better since it’s air fried. We absolutely love this recipe!
Nancy says
I have made this several times. I just love it. Perfect flavor. I don't give many reviews but since I keep making it I thought it was well deserved. Thank you
Yvette says
Made this today. Very yummy and easy. No changes necessary!
Deb Liddle says
Wow! These turned out so yummy. I was thawing 4 chicken thighs and had put some Stste Fair Chicken marinade in the bag while they thawed. In the meantime I went searching for good air fryer recipe since I didn't want to heat up my kitchen using the oven. I found your recipe and decided to give it a whirl. Dumped out the marinade once they were thawed and added your spices and the thighs, gave it a good mix and was ready to go. Air fried at 390 in my Ninja Foodi (there wasn't a 380 choice). Perfect!
Melissa says
So I didnt have the seasoning you use but I did have black garlic parm seasoning. Cooked it exactly how you said and it came out perfect!! so far your method made the chicken way better than other chicken recipes I have tried. I love my air fryer and am always looking for new recipes.
Susan says
Jennifer! I am always "on the hunt" for a recipe for good ways to cook chicken thighs.
Now I found one! These were perfect, I followed your instructions and they turned out better than I expected. They were delicious. I have a Cuisinart Air Fryer so I was able to cook six at once. I am so pleased with the results, a "no brainer" recipe.
Thank you!
Susan
Mike says
I'm cooking at 400 for 30 minutes , your recipe doesn't say temperature wise only what they should we cook that which is 165 so I'm going with 400 yes I love the air fryer it works really good on all meals even breakfast meals
Patty says
Mike, please reread the recipe, it clearly states on the 1st instruction to preheat @ 380⁰ for 5 minutes. Your statement implies this woman doesn't know how to correctly write a recipe and that is simply not the case. She will accept your apology any time.
James says
Best DAMN Chicken Thighs ever!!!
Will always use this recipe...
Sharon says
So delicious! I made without skin and was still very crispy and juicy!
Diane says
I just made this tonight and it is my favorite recipe in my new airfryer. I also doubled the rub for 6 thighs. So crispy and healthy without having to add any extra oil to the meat.