Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are crispy, juicy, and perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner. Easy to make and packed with flavor!

A family of four enjoying dinner with crispy air fryer chicken thighs at the center of the table, with a focus on the golden brown, perfectly crispy chicken.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Need a fast and delicious weeknight dinner? Meet your new go-to recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs! Golden and crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside, and cooked within minutes. Everyone in your family will enjoy the air fryer bone-in chicken thigh recipe I’m going to share with you in this post.

Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or can use Himalayan pink salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs (like Herbes de Provence or dried oregano)

Instructions: How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Raw chicken thighs seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs, with lemon squeezed over.

1. Chicken Prep: Squeeze half a lemon over the chicken thighs. Evenly season kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs on both sides of the chicken.

Closeup of hands rubbing spice mixture into raw chicken thighs, focusing on evenly seasoning the nooks and crevices.

2. Season Thoroughly: Rub the seasoning mixture to massage the facts, nooks, etc. concerning these bird thighs. To get the best taste and crispy texture, this step is crucial.

Seasoned chicken thighs arranged skin side down in an air fryer basket, ready to cook at 400°F for 12 minutes.

3. Air Fry: arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Carefully flip the chicken thighs over in the air fryer basket after the first 12 minutes of cooking.

4. Flip and Finish: After 12 minutes, carefully flip the chicken thighs over. Air fry for an additional 12 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy and the chicken is cooked through in the center.

Juicy, golden-brown air fryer chicken thighs resting on a plate. Include a side of fresh vegetables or a salad.

5. Give It Rest: After it’s done, take the chicken out of your air fryer and let it sit for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to re-distribute and helps keep them moist and tender. Follow up with an Enjoy your perfect, delicious Air Fryer Chicken Thighs!

Reasons to Love This Recipe

  • Quick & Easy: Ready in minutes—perfect for busy weeknights!
  • Crispy & Juicy: Enjoy crispy skin with tender, juicy meat inside.
  • Healthy & Lower in Fat: Uses less oil for a healthier, lower-fat option.
  • Versatile & Flavorful: Customize the seasoning to suit your taste.
  • Minimal Cleanup: Non-stick surface means easy cleanup and less scrubbing.

Tips and Tricks

For even crispier skin, you can spray a light coating of cooking spray on the chicken before air frying. Experiment with different spice blends to customize the flavor to your liking.

Important Things About This Recipe

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken thighs need to be seasoned well and not crowding the air fryer. Your dish will always be perfectly crisp and delicious if you follow these tips.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of bone-in?

Absolutely! You may use boneless chicken thighs. It is just about 15-20 minutes long and just turn them to the other side halfway around the cooking time. They will still remain crispy and yummy!

How do I make sure my chicken thighs cook evenly?

That way you have to ensure that the chicken thighs are in one pile in the air frying basket and not stacked. In case required, one could cook in categories. Half turn them halfway in the requires so that they cook evenly from all the sides.

Can I prepare the chicken thighs in advance?

Of course, it is possible to prepare the marinade and soak the chicken thighs in the mixture several hours, even the night before the cooking process. It is easy to prepare and delicious when you are willing to broaden your palate and to start the cooking process. Be sure to pat them dry before air frying though, for the best crunch!

Closeup of golden brown crispy air fryer chicken thighs with a juicy inside and char marks.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Pamela J. Willis
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are crispy, juicy, and perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner. Easy to make and packed with flavor!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs like Herbes de Provence or dried oregano

Instructions
 

  • Chicken Prep: Squeeze half a lemon over the chicken thighs. Evenly season kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs on both sides of the chicken.
  • Season Thoroughly: Rub the seasoning mixture to massage the facts, nooks, etc. concerning these bird thighs. To get the best taste and crispy texture, this step is crucial.
  • Air Fry: arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
  • Flip and Finish: After 12 minutes, carefully flip the chicken thighs over. Air fry for an additional 12 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy and the chicken is cooked through in the center.
  • Give It Rest: After it’s done, take the chicken out of your air fryer and let it sit for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to re-distribute and helps keep them moist and tender. Follow up with an Enjoy your perfect, delicious Air Fryer Chicken Thighs!

Notes

  1. Pat the Chicken Dry: Make sure your chicken thighs are dry before you add a little oil and seasoning. Given the crispy skin.
  2. Use a Meat Thermometer: A meat thermometer is really the only way to make sure your chicken comes out perfectly cooked. The center needs to be 165 °F (74 °C).
  3. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: For the crispiest results, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
  4. Adjust Spice Levels: More or less spices, depending on how much you like spice. Increase the amount of paprika if you want a bit more smokiness, or add some cayenne for heat.
  5. Let It Rest: Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, which means juicy meat.
Nutritional Details:
290 calories | 15g fat | 3g carbs | 32g protein | 0g sugar | 0g fiber | 520mg sodium | 90mg cholesterol
Keyword crispy, Juicy, quick, Seasoned, simple recipe

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