Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and so easy to make for dinner! All you need is some olive oil, bold spices and in less than 30 minutes you’ll have an incredible protein to serve with any favorite sides!
These succulent air fryer chicken thighs are the star of any meal! They’re quick and easy to make, they taste incredible, and since they’re cooked in the air fryer with very little oil, they’re healthy. Using the air fryer makes them crispy on the outside while staying moist and tender on the inside.
This is one of those dinners that you don’t really have to plan in advance. You probably already have the spices in your pantry, and this can be paired with any rice and/or veggies that you have on-hand!
Be sure to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, so they have maximum flavor and juiciness. Plus, the skin gets irresistibly crispy and delicious! If you’ve tried our air fryer chicken breasts then you know that cooking poultry in the air fryer is perfect every time. It’s never dry or over done, and it couldn’t be easier to cook.
Ingredients needed
You might just have all of the ingredients to make this air fryer chicken thighs recipe right now! All you need is the chicken, olive oil and spices. Here’s a note on everything needed:
- Chicken: For this recipe, you’ll need 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which is about 2 pounds.
- Olive oil: Helps the spices adhere to the chicken and also results in that perfect crispy skin.
- Spices: We’re using 1 teaspoon each of smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and salt & pepper. These simple seasonings come together to create big flavor!
How to make this recipe
This air fryer chicken thighs recipe only requires about 5 minutes of hands-on time! It’s an amazing dish to make for busy weekends when you don’t have anything planned for dinner. Instead of grabbing takeout, whip up this healthy, homemade meal in a matter of minutes. Here’s how:
- Make the spice blend: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk the spices and set aside.
- Add spice rub to chicken: To a large bowl, add the chicken thighs and drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with the spice mixture. Toss to coat.
- Cook: Transfer to the preheated air fryer and cook for 12 minutes per side or until cooked through and skin is crispy.
Expert tips
- Size of thighs: Be sure to use chicken thighs that are similar in size, so that they all cook at the same rate and are evenly cooked.
- Don’t overcrowd: Since the air fryer cooks by air circulating, you don’t want the chicken to overlap. It will prevent the meat from cooking properly. If your air fryer is small, simply cook the thighs in batches. You can keep the cooked batches warm by covering them with foil.
- Check for doneness: For food safety reasons, you want to make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Use an instant read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh to check. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can poke the thickest part and make sure that the juices run clear and you don’t see any pink.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cook thighs in an air fryer?
Depending on the size of the thighs and the model of your air fryer, at 400 degrees F, it should take about 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400?
We recommend baking the chicken thighs in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. They will take less time to cook than if they are cooked at 350 degrees, and this will help them to stay nice and juicy rather than risk them drying them out.
Should you put raw chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook raw chicken in the air fryer! Just be sure to cook your chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Ways to serve
Air fryer chicken thighs are super versatile, and you can change up the seasonings for different meals. Here’s some ideas:
- Mexican: Trade out the oregano for chili powder, and serve shredded thigh meat in tacos, burrito bowls, or fajitas with a side of cilantro lime rice.
- Italian: Use Italian seasoning instead of cumin, and serve over pasta with your favorite sauce.
- Asian: Enjoy with an Asian sauce, fried rice and some other Asian-inspired sides.
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: Refrigerate cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the air fryer.
- Freezing: Freeze thighs in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Air Fryer
6QT XL 4-in-1 Air Fryer
More air fryer chicken recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Healthy Air Fryer Chicken and Veggies
- Air Fryer Whole Roast Chicken
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, about 2 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon EACH smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, salt & pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk the spices and set aside.
- To a large bowl, add the chicken thighs and drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with the spice mixture. Toss to coat.
- Transfer to the preheated air fryer and cook for 12 minutes per side or until cooked through and skin is crispy.
Equipment
Notes
- Storing leftovers: Refrigerate cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the air fryer.
- Freezing: Freeze thighs in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
