Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with perfectly crispy skin in under 30 minutes. Coated with a flavorful blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and thyme, these bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are easy to prepare and make a delicious, healthy main course that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pat Dry Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy skin when air frying.
- Prepare Seasoning Paste: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to form a uniform paste.
- Coat Chicken: Rub the seasoning paste evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring both the skin and underside are well coated for maximum flavor.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Cook Chicken – First Side: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 12 minutes to begin crisping the skin.
- Flip and Cook Other Side: Flip the thighs over and continue cooking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin turns a golden, crispy brown.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the chicken thighs and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, flavorful meat.
Notes
- For boneless, skinless chicken thighs, reduce total cook time to 14–16 minutes.
- Serve these chicken thighs with sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed to maintain even crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (about 150g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
