These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are juicy on the inside with a crispy and crunchy skin on the outside. This super simple recipe makes perfect chicken thighs every time.
If you love tasty air fryer recipes, you should try our air fryer chicken tenders and air fryer pork chops.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love this recipe because the meat comes out delicious, but with none of the oily, greasy texture you get from deep frying. These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are perfect!
- TASTE: Seasoned with garlic, onion, thyme, and some salt, these thighs are savory and full of flavor.
- TEXTURE: The outer skin is crispy and melt-in-your-mouth good, while the inside is juicy and tender.
- TIME: This recipe takes less than half an hour, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- EASE: Simple ingredients and a few easy steps, these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a breeze to make.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Bone-in Chicken Thighs- Choosing chicken thighs with a bone will ensure they’re even moister. Skin-on is also good because the air fryer will make it crisp and delicious.
- Brown sugar- Even though this is a savory dish, the sugar will cook and caramelize, giving the meat a complementary sweet flavor to the salty and savory notes.
- Spices- Baking in the flavors of thyme, garlic, onion, and paprika will give these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs so much yummy flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add other spices- These chicken thighs can be spiced any way you like! Try chili pepper, cumin, ginger, cayenne, rosemary, or sage.
- Substitute another cut of meat- Other cuts, like wings, legs, or breasts, also work great as a substitution. Just adjust the cook time for larger or smaller pieces to cook through.
- Use honey- If you’re avoiding refined sugars, you can also use honey instead of brown sugar. Brush it on the meat before adding the seasoning.
- Add sauces- Marinate the meat in soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, garlic-ginger paste, barbecue sauce, or hoisin sauce for even richer flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Dry the chicken thighs. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken thighs dry. Then put them into a medium-sized bowl.
- Toss in oil. Drizzle them with olive oil and mix using tongs or your clean hands.
- Combine the seasonings. In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and brown sugar.
- Season the chicken thighs. Now sprinkle the seasoning into the bowl of chicken and use tongs to toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer. Now, preheat your basket air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes.
- Cook. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket of the air fryer. Cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for 7-8 more minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat is 165 degrees.
Pro Tip: For extra flavor, cover the bowl of seasoned chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Marinating it like this will let even more flavor absorb into the meat.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the chicken dry- This step is important because if there is too much moisture in the air fryer, it will create steam and prevent the chicken from getting that delicious crispy skin. So the less moisture, the crispier the results.
- Pre-blend your seasonings- Doing this in a separate bowl instead of just sprinkling them on one by one will ensure even coverage and a more balanced flavor.
- Spread the chicken thighs out- Air circulation is key for the air fryer to get the chicken thighs nice and crispy so leave space between each, nothing touching for even cooking.
- Check the internal temperature- It’s not always easy to tell when meat is done by sight, so I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check. It should be 165 degrees to safely eat.
FAQs
What temperature should I cook chicken thighs in the air fryer?
The best temperature for fully cooked chicken thighs that are crispy and juicy is 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket of the air fryer at this temperature for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 7-8 minutes.
How long do you cook frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer?
Because there is no bone, these will cook a lot faster, even frozen. Cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes. Check the internal temperature to make sure they have reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are so versatile, you can serve them with plenty of your favorite dishes. Here are a few tasty options.
- Meats: Pair these with Air Fryer Steak, Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops (VIDEO) for a hearty buffet at your next get-together.
- Potatoes: This juicy chicken is great with a side of Crispy Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, or Scalloped Potatoes.
- Vegetables: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, and Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts all complement this dish.
- Salad: Greens like this Spinach Pomegranate Salad, Cabbage Cucumber Salad, and Broccoli Cranberry Salad are so good with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep this dish ahead by seasoning the chicken thighs and then storing them covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just cook them in the air fryer.
Storing: These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Reheat them for a few minutes in the air fryer so they can regain their crispy outer layer.
Freeze: Once they have cooled, store them in a freezer ziplock bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Tasty Chicken Dishes!
Watch Video Recipe Here
Full Recipe Instructions
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are crispy skinned and perfectly tender. If you love flavorful, juicy chicken, then this easy recipe is for you.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 364kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 3 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Use a paper towel to pat 4 bone-in chicken thighs dry. Then place them into a medium sized bowl.
- Then drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken and mix it in using your clean hands.
- In a small bowl combine 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp paprika, 3 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp brown sugar using a fork.
- Now sprinkle the seasoning into the bowl of chicken and use tongs to toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated. You can cook the chicken right away or for a better flavor, you can cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight to marinate.
- Now, preheat your basket air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket of the air fryer. Cook at 380 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and continue to cook for 7-8 more minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry- This step is important because if there is too much moisture in the air fryer, it will create steam and prevent the chicken from getting that delicious crispy skin. So the less moisture, the crispier the results.
- Pre-blend your seasonings- Doing this in a separate bowl instead of just sprinkling them on one by one will ensure even coverage and a more balanced flavor.
- Spread the chicken thighs out- Air circulation is key for the air fryer to get the chicken thighs nice and crispy so leave space between each, nothing touching for even cooking.
- Check the internal temperature- It’s not always easy to tell when meat is done by sight, so I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check. It should be 165 degrees to safely eat.
Nutrition
Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 696mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 615IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
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Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
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mlfbf says
Great recipe—easy and delicious! It’s become my “go to” recipe for chicken thighs!
Dina says
I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed these air fryer chicken thighs!
John says
Love this recipe for Chicken thighs in the airfryer. My go to for making my lunches for the week. Thank you. Will be making this chicken a lot in the near future.
Dina says
John, I am so happy to hear that you really loved this air fryer chicken recipe! Thank you for taking the time to write your kind feedback 🙂
Michael Cochran says
Love this recipe!
Dina says
Thank you Michael I am glad that you loved it!
Rich says
Exactly as outlined. Skin was crispy and delicious. Chicken was moist. Could see it is important to watch internal temp as size of pieces can vary. I have a two basket Ninja. Next time, I will place larger pieces in one basket and the smaller in the other with maybe an extra minute of time for the larger. I know that when using two baskets Ninja’s chart shows to use extra time anyway.
Dina says
Wow, that’s amazing! I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe so much! Thank you for taking the time to write your kind feedback 🙂
Marianne says
Hi if I wish to roast this in oven, is it possible? I do not have air fryer. If yes, how much the temprature and duration. Thank you. Love your air fryer chicken, yummy looking! 😋
Dina says
Hi Marianne, I would roast the chicken thighs at 425 degrees Fº for about 35-40 minutes. Enjoy! 🙂
Jennifer A. says
I made this recipe for dinner yesterday, and it was delicious. It was the first thing I made in my new air fryer. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the flavor was great.
Dina says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! This recipe is definitely one of my favorite things to make in the air fryer. So easy yet so yummy!
Christine says
Just looking at air fryers and wondering what features I should look for or which one you would recommend? Thanks
Dina says
Hi Christine, It really depends on what your needs are when it comes to an air fryer. Are you looking for something compact? Budget-friendly Or maybe with a dual function? This is a really great guide when buying your first air fryer: https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/best-air-fryer I hope you find it helpful 🙂
Brad Leopold says
I made this and let a few neighbors try it. Their response was full of high praise.
Now to be fair I didn’t have any onion powder or dried thyme so I used a substitute and it is called T-ROY’S Swamp Shake all-purpose seasoning (Original). I marinated it overnight. The skin was not crispy. I think this could be better skinless if marinating overnight. The chicken was not frozen. I did pat dry before rubbing with Olive Oil.
Dina says
Hi Brad 🙂 Happy to hear you and your neighbors loved these air fryer chicken thighs! Few things can affect the skin not being too crispy. Was there plenty of room around the chicken? Overcrowding prevents proper airflow and will affect it that way. Did you let the meat sit at room temperature for a bit prior to cooking it? Hope that helps. Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback 🙂
Denise says
Wondering if chicken breast can be used
Dina says
Hi Denise 🙂 Yes, you can use chicken breast for this recipe. Just cut them into cutlets. The cook time will be different though so keep an eye on it. I hope you love this recipe! 🙂
Sheryl D says
This was really tasty but the skin wasn’t as crispy as I would have liked. I think it would have crisp up if it wasn’t marinated overnight as there was liquid at the bottom of the bowl the next day. Next time, I will marinate it overnight on a cookie sheet so the skin will be drier and perhaps crisp better. Thank you for your work!
Dina says
Hi Sheryl 🙂 Happy to hear you found these chicken thighs tasty! Sorry that the skin wasn’t as crispy as you would have liked. Having extra liquid would make it less crispy. Was your chicken partially frozen that it gave off more liquid? I hope next time it will be more crispy! Thank you for your feedback! 🙂