Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Making these chicken thighs in the air fryer creates a crispy, crunchy crust and juicy meat, all without the excess grease of a deep fryer and the mess of pan-frying. After marinating your bone-in chicken thighs with our simple, smoky, flavorful rub, you’ll have tender, golden-brown chicken thighs ready to serve in just 30 minutes!

If you love our air fryer buffalo wings, parmesan-dusted chicken wings, and juicy air fryer chicken breasts, you’ll want to add these crispy chicken thighs to your regular rotation. The air fryer not only cuts down on cooking time and oil, but it guarantees a crisp, golden skin and juicy meat every time. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep (they reheat beautifully with the air fryer), or whenever you’re craving juicy, restaurant-quality chicken at home, without the hassle.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

Process

1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cumin (if using). Stir together.

3. Transfer thighs to a mixing bowl and gently toss together until all thighs are fully and evenly coated in spices and oil. Cover and marinate chicken at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Preheat air fryer to 400˚F,  if needed. Spray the air fry basket with cooking spray. Season top and bottom of each thigh with a generous amount of salt and pepper, and transfer thighs to the air fryer(skin-side up) about 1/2 inch apart.

5. Air fry chicken thighs for 20 to 24 minutes (or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165˚F). Allow thighs to rest in the fryer basket for 5 to 7 minutes.
6. Transfer chicken to a platter or individual plates and serve.

Are (Air Fryer) Chicken Thighs Healthy?

When considering the various ways you can prepare bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, air frying is one of the healthiest methods. To make chicken thighs in the air fryer, you only need a small amount of oil to create a crispy skin with a texture similar to that of deep-fried food, without the need for excess oil that adds extra fat and calories.

Oven-baked chicken thighs could be slightly healthier than those made in an air fryer, but to achieve a crispy outer crust, you’ll need to pan-fry them first, which has a similar effect to deep-frying.

Seasoning Variations for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Our blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cumin creates a deep, savory, and slightly smoky rub that pairs easily with a variety of sides. If you’re looking for a more specific and unique flavor, try some of these seasoning ideas:

• Lemon pepper: Swap the cumin and smoked paprika for lemon pepper seasoning and finish the wings off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• BBQ chicken thighs: Swap the cumin for 2 teaspoons of chili powder and add a teaspoon of brown sugar for a sweet and smoky BBQ flavor.
• Spicy Cajun: Use Cajun seasoning instead of the spice mix, giving these chicken thighs a spicy, smoky flavor.
• Italian and herb: Season the thighs with a blend of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder for a herby flavor that goes well with pasta and veggies.
• Buffalo style: Lightly season the thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then, toss them in buffalo sauce once you take them out of the air fryer for hot, buttery, and saucy chicken thighs.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These air-fried chicken thighs are perfect to serve with simple veggie side dishes like smashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower, mashed potatoes, or simple roasted green beans.

You can also serve them with garlic and lemon pasta, butter roasted cherry tomato pasta, or cacio e pepe pasta pie for a protein boost.

If you’re craving something light and fresh for dinner, a Caesar salad or caprese salad adds the perfect balance to these meaty, savory chicken thighs.

Can I Use Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs Instead?

You can air fry boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but they will likely cook more quickly, possibly only needing 15 to 20 minutes in the air fryer. But keep in mind that without the skin, the outer layer won’t be as crispy, and they won’t be as juicy as bone-in, skin-on thighs.

Reheating Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

Using the air fryer to reheat any leftover chicken thighs helps hold in moisture and re-crisps the skin, making them just as delicious as when they were first cooked.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and lightly coat the outside of the chicken thighs with cooking spray. Lay the chicken pieces inside, leaving an inch or two of space between them. Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes or until warmed through and the skin is crispy.

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