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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are deliciously seasoned and air fried to get that tasty, crispy skin. This easy recipe is a quick and simple dinner any night of the week.

crispy air fried bone in chicken thighs, parsley

We are obsessed with air fryer recipes and adding more as often as we can! Easy recipes for your air fryer, like Air Fryer Tater Tots (Totchos) and Air Fryer Turkey Breast.

Chicken thighs are inexpensive, high in protein and easy to cook. In the air fryer, they come out tender, moist and so juicy in about 15 minutes. I use my signature all-purpose seasoning blend to give them incredible flavor, and just a touch of olive oil to help the skin get nice and crispy.

Don’t have an air fryer yet? I love my Philips XXL Air Fryer – it’s a little pricier but it is nice and big and works beautifully. Plus it cooks everything in about the time it takes to preheat your oven!

How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs

Simple seasonings, simple cooking method, truly outstanding flavor. These air fryer chicken thighs have got it going on!

  1. Chicken thighs. We’re using bone-in, skin on chicken thighs. You can remove the bone if you like, but you won’t get that crispy texture without the skin. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the size of the thighs, you can fit 4-6 in the basket.
  2. Seasoning. This is the most important step! Not properly seasoning your meat will leave you with dull, boring chicken thighs. Mix up some salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. This is my signature blend of spices that I use on everything from Oven Baked Chicken Breasts to Baked Pork Chops and even potatoes and veggies.
  3. Prepare and season the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then brush with olive oil and sprinkle with the seasoning. If I’ve got time, I’ll give the chicken a little massage, over and under the skin to get all that seasoning in every nook and cranny.
  4. Air Fry. Cook the chicken at 370 degrees, flipping once to get both sides evenly cooked and crispy.
air fryer chicken thighs in air fryer basket, 2 images cooked and uncooked

How long do you cook chicken thighs in the air fryer?

It only takes about 15 minutes to cook bone-in chicken thighs in the air fryer. That’s about half the time it takes in the oven!

Make sure to flip the chicken thighs halfway through so they cook evenly.

What temperature do you cook chicken to?

No matter what cut of chicken or how you’re cooking it, chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F to be considered safe to eat. One of the most useful devices you can have in your kitchen is an instant read digital thermometer. The one linked here is my favorite and the one I use in my own kitchen, and it’s very affordable.

chicken thighs with crispy skin in air fryer basket

Can you use chicken breasts?

I created this air fryer method for chicken thighs, or even drumsticks. If you’d rather use white meat, try this easy recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Chicken Wings.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Don’t wash the chicken (there’s no need and it can spread germs). But always pat your chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Wet chicken skin won’t get crispy.
  • Feel free to use your own seasoning. The one in the recipe just happens to be a favorite. Try lemon pepper, garlic, brown sugar and soy, anything your family loves.
  • Please note that while my air fryer cooks the chicken thighs in about 15 minutes, yours might vary. Check the notes for your specific machine for any differences.

Make Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make ahead: you can prep and season your chicken in advance up to 24 hours. Be sure to keep it tightly sealed and in the fridge.

Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave, or enjoy cold for lunch, or in a salad or wrap.

Freezing: Cooked chicken thighs can be frozen for up to 6 months. Wrap them tightly to avoid freezer burn. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave or in your air fryer. Another option is to pull the meat off the bone (remove the skin first) and store in the freezer for use in soups and casseroles.

crispy skinned chicken thighs, white plate, parsley, air fryer

More Chicken Recipes to Try

Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

5 from 4 votes
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are well seasoned and air fried to get that tasty, crispy skin. Tender, moist and juicy chicken in half the time.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on Chicken Thighs about 4-6
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
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Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Set aside.
  • Brush both sides of the chicken thighs with olive oil and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture. If desired, massage the seasoning into the chicken and below the skin.
  • Place the chicken in the basket of an air fryer.
  • Cook at 375 for about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking time. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Notes

A typical bone-in chicken thigh will yield approx 3-4 ounces of meat. Big eaters may require 2 thighs, while lighter eaters should be fine with 1. You may need to air fry in 2 batches.
Keyword air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 24gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 693mgPotassium: 296mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 236IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Trevor says:

    I’m intrigued about the seasoning mix. You mentioned using soy sauce as an option with other ingredients. What amounts would you suggest?

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      I don’t see where soy sauce is mentioned. Could you elaborate?