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.
Vicki from Houston says
This was really good, we enjoyed it. Used a mix of legs and thighs. Easy, juicy and delicious with crispy skin! Thank you for the recipe!
Diane Allen says
Why don't you show carbohydrate count on your recipe? I never count calories, carbs & fiber are what many folks are looking at these days.
jenniferbanz says
Chicken thighs have zero carbs and the spices would be less than 1 carb per serving.
Carole from Canada says
I got a new T-Fall air fryer for Christmas. Manual says "not" to preheat. Also, mine doesn't have a fry basket thing like yours has. It is more like a round plastic type disk.
Will things till work the same pretty much with your recipe?
jenniferbanz says
Yes, it should work just the same
Diana says
I made chicken thighs (bone in, skin on) this evening (12/27/2021). I will NEVER fry chicken again! No mess and quick and crunchy. I need to add more seasoning, I was a bit conservative and mine came out a little bland. Also needed to cook for about 5 more minutes, however, it was tender and juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside! Love, love, loved it. Tomorrow night...drumsticks! 🙂
Thank you so much
Bruce Bowman says
we just got an air fryer for Christmas and this was the first thing I have tried and have to say I am impressed 22 min cook time and was totally done and crispy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside ! two thumbs up !
Christine says
Love them. Just as crispy as a fried chicken thigh.Will continue to try all of your recipes. I pin them for future use. ThAnk you for sharing.
Diana says
I used se this in my new air fryer which I used for the first time. Great recipe! Thank you so much!
David T Starkey says
Thanks for the recipe! My wife and I also love the air fryer! I have the thighs in as I type can't wait to try it
Tammy says
I make a big batch of the seasoning and keep it in a shaker bottle in the pantry. I have used the recipe several times on chicken thighs, and tonight I tried it on wings. It was just as yummy!
Angie says
Great!!!
Jessi says
I subbed powdered mustard in lieu of paprika. The timing is perfect and make it super crispy!
Brigitte says
Thank you so much, Jennifer. This chicken was delicious, and I am now not as afraid to use my air fryer for more than fries.
Stephanie G says
I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs and it turned out amazing!! I will definitely make this again.
Angie says
Awesome
Bonni McO says
Excellent recipe. My air fryer has shelves and I was able to do 8 thighs at a time this way. Top thighs were done in the 22 minutes, then had to shift the bottom thighs to the top and took a few more minutes for them to come to temperature. Very tasty and hubby loved them with veggies.
Joanne Diehl says
The only way I make chicken thighs in the air fryer! Delicious every time!
Rick M says
The thighs came out perfect! Great seasoning and very crispy! Thanks for the recipe!
Angie says
I can absolutely not cook, and this is always a hit. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Lucille Weaver says
Thanks for sharing
Stephanie W says
Great for meal prep!! I do not like chicken skin so most of that was taken off so I didn't expect it to be supper crispy. However, it was still pretty crispy on the outside and moist in the inside. Very filling also. Doubled this recipe so I have enough for all my lunches and at least 2 dinners. So easy! Now I just need to prep a couple of vegetables and my week will be fully planned.
Paul E. Wogg says
Wow!
This was really good!
The seasonings are a perfect match. After tasting this tonight for the first time, I have added it to my go-to recipe file.
Thank you Jennifer Banz for posting this!
Oscar says
Looks so good, can't wait to try this recipe.
Monte L says
My wife and i have been making this wonderful thigh recipe from your website for quite a while now, but we made them for my very picky 85yr old mother last night and she normally doesn't like chicken skin, but she "Gobbled"(excuse the pun Jen) these thighs up and when she was done, i was afraid to take her empty plate for fear of her mouth and my fingers being to close! So simple, quick and easy. I'm printing her a copy as i type. Thanks for a great fast Air-fryer recipe! (BTW the additional four minute extra time to crisp up the skin is a great recommendation)
Randy Holtz says
Holy Moly! Easy Peasy! Thighs that open your Eyes! Yummy in the Tummy!
Marguerite Roache says
Amazing recipe. Chicken was indeed crispy and moist. My new favorite chicken thigh recipe.
Cathy D. says
Made this tonight and was very leary because I don’t like dark meat. I googled “dark meat chicken air fryer” and your recipe was the first and pretty much the only one that looked like a winner. My husband gave so many compliments during dinner and said it was a 5 star recipe.
donna giblin says
These were soooo good!
Jackie Lingner says
My husband has never been a fan of chicken thighs. He is now. He actually asks for these! Thank you!
Em says
This recipe was delicious. This will be my go to in the future. Even my other half that is usually only a boneless skinless chicken breast fan ate these, even the skin and absolutely loved them. Crisp and so very tasty.
Kathy F says
This recipe turned out so well! The family said it was some of the best Chicken I have ever cooked! The only thing is my air fryer started to smoke although it’s been recently cleaned after about 15 minutes so much so that we put it out on the front porch… LOL we cooked out the rest of the way and it was perfectly fine ..no problem! Next time we will just do it all on the front porch
Jill says
Delicious! Husband said it's the best chicken I've ever made. ????????
Veronica says
I made these and they were a hit!
Barbara says
Loved loved loved!!! So crispy snd juicy!!!
Shi says
Keeper for sure. We love this. I fix in our ninja foodi. (Aircrisp). My husband said don’t lose that recipe! Seasoning great as always. And very very crispy and juicy.
Sandy says
Love this recipe, easy and quick and yummy of course.
Kimberley says
Love that it was so easy. How do you suggest I moisten it?
D Craig says
My sons favorite chicken! I have a pampered chef airfryer. Turns out perfect every time.
Nancy E. Frias says
It looks like you have a "separate" basket inside the black machine basket? Is that true or is it the same black basket with handle that is part of the machine? I have the same machine but it doesn't have the metal looking basket with holes in it that your picture shows. Don't want to wreck the air fryer if I am supposed to use a separate basket.
Jan says
Outside of the chicken was crispy and had great flavor. Inside was juicy and flavorful. My husband gave it 2 thumbs up!
Vicki Howe says
And thank you. Husband loved them…