Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with irresistibly crispy skin in under 30 minutes. Seasoned with a blend of garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and thyme, these bone-in, skin-on thighs cook quickly and much healthier than traditional frying. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, they can be served with lemon wedges and sprinkled parsley for a fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- lemon wedges
- chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to encourage crispiness.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Season Chicken: Rub each chicken thigh all over with olive oil, then evenly coat with the mixed seasoning.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer, to prevent overcrowding.
- Cook First Side: Air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F, allowing the skin to start crisping up and the meat to cook well.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the chicken thighs to skin-side up and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached and skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes; this helps juices redistribute for moist meat.
- Serve: Garnish with optional lemon wedges and chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- For boneless, skinless thighs, reduce cooking time to 14-16 minutes total to prevent drying out.
- Marinating the chicken for a few hours prior to cooking enhances flavor depth.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or a fresh side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
