Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken with crispy skin in just 25 minutes. Seasoned with a flavorful blend of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, thyme, and a touch of olive oil, these bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to help the skin crisp up during cooking. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme (or Italian seasoning), salt, and black pepper to create a seasoning paste.
- Season the chicken: Rub the seasoning paste evenly all over the chicken thighs, making sure to get under the skin where possible to maximize flavor penetration.
- Cook skin-side down: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes, which helps render the fat and crisp up the skin.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the chicken thighs over and continue cooking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is a crispy golden brown.
- Rest before serving: Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy, tender meat.
Notes
- For boneless chicken thighs, reduce the total cook time to 16–18 minutes.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or serve with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
