Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These air fryer chicken thighs are tender and juicy with delicious crispy skin. You'll love this quick and easy chicken thigh recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes thanks to your trusty air fryer!

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course lunch/dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 people

Calories 1769.3 kcal

Equipment

1 Air Fryer
1 Small Mixing Bowl
1 Pastry or Basting Brush For applying olive oil evenly
1 Instant-Read Thermometer Crucial for ensuring food safety and perfect doneness
1 Plate For seasoning chicken

Ingredients

Main

4 skin-on boneless chicken thighs
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Gather all ingredients and preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and brush skins with olive oil. Place chicken thighs, skin-side down, in a single layer on a plate. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of the seasoning mixture evenly over thighs. Turn thighs over and evenly sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Arrange thighs, skin-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Cook in the preheated air fryer until thighs are brown and the juices run clear, about 18 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Serve and enjoy! Allrecipes

Notes

Achieving truly crispy skin is paramount. Ensure the chicken thighs are thoroughly patted dry before applying olive oil and seasoning. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick or dried herbs like thyme or oregano to the seasoning blend. Placing the chicken skin-side up in the air fryer basket is critical for optimal browning and crispiness. Always use an instant-read thermometer to confirm internal temperature, as air fryer models can vary in cooking time. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this can steam rather than crisp the chicken.