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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These tasty air fryer chicken thighs have juicy meat and crispy skin; you will love this quick chicken recipe that is ready for the table in less than 30 minutes!

Basic Details:

Prep time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

4

Yield:

Image (4)

If you’ve never made chicken thighs in the air fryer, you need this top-rated air fryer chicken thigh recipe in your life ASAP. The results are irresistible thighs that are tender and juicy on the inside, but nice and crispy on the outside.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Ingredients

A dinner plate with mashed potatoes, green beans, and crispy chicken

These are the easy-to-find ingredients you’ll need to make this air-fried chicken thighs recipe:

· Chicken thighs: You’ll need four skin-on, boneless chicken thighs.
· Olive oil: Olive oil locks in moisture and gives the spices something to adhere to.
· Spices and seasonings: These air-fried chicken thighs are seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

chicken thighs from the air fryer

Once you make chicken thighs in the air fryer, you’ll never go back to the oven again. You’ll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let’s go over the basics:

How to Make Chicken Thighs In the Air Fryer Step-By-Step

Here’s a very brief overview of what you can expect when you make air fryer chicken thighs:

1. Pat the thighs dry and brush the skins with olive oil.
2. Make the spice blend and sprinkle it all over the thighs.
3. Cook in the preheated air fryer until the skin is brown and the juices run clear.

How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs In the Air Fryer

Boneless chicken thighs should be fully cooked after about 18 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 400 degrees F. Make sure you check the internal temperature before you serve — an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 165 degrees F.

How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

a top-down view of a large bowl of creamy, buttery, basic mashed potatoes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Storage

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs on a white plate

Store the cooked chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

If you plan to freeze the chicken, place the cooled thighs in a freezer bag and squeeze out the excess air. Wrap the bag in foil. Freeze for up to three months.

Ingredients

  • 4 skin-on, boneless chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Directions

    1. Gather all ingredients and preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

      all ingredients gathered in various bowls

    2. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and brush skins with olive oil. Place chicken thighs, skin-side down, in a single layer on a plate.

      chicken thighs being brushed with olive oil

    3. Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of the seasoning mixture evenly over thighs. Turn thighs over and evenly sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Arrange thighs, skin-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

      thighs seasoned and arranged in an air fryer basket

    4. Cook in the preheated air fryer until thighs are brown and the juices run clear, about 18 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

      thighs after cooking in the air fryer

    5. Serve and enjoy!

      air-fried chicken thigh with mashed potato and green beans on the side
       

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories

213

Fat

14g

Carbs

1g

Protein

19g