This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe is a delicious and quick way to cook chicken thighs. It’s the perfect easy chicken recipe to make on busy nights! The bone-in chicken thighs are so tender and juicy on the inside and crispy skin on the outside.
If you have recently purchased an air fryer and don’t know what to cook with it, try this Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe! This quick chicken dinner recipe is perfect for a stress-free weeknight meal. It’s a family-friendly dish, so hearty and comforting. It’s also gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Simple and quick. The chicken thighs cook faster in the air fryer than in the oven and the result is quite amazing! These chicken thighs only need about 18-25 minutes of cooking time at 400°F. In addition, an air fryer preheats quicker than the conventional oven. You will save a lot of time in the kitchen!
- No marinating required. The key is on the perfect chicken seasoning blend! Just rub the chicken with a simple spice blend and oil before cooking and you will have the most tender and flavorful meat!
- Super Cheap Meal. Chicken thighs are very good meat and more affordable than chicken breasts. I bought the air-chilled Kirkland chicken thighs (bone-in and skin on) for $0.99 per pound at Costco in my area.
The Ingredients:
Chicken Thighs: They are cheaper and easier to cook than chicken breasts. In this recipe, I used 2 pounds of skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs (7 small pieces) and seasoned with the homemade rub.
The homemade chicken seasoning blend consists of a combination of ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, freshly crushed black peppercorn, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and kosher salt. This combination of spices really goes well with chicken! It’s a keeper!
What to Serve with:
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How to Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer:
The cooking process is very simple. So here are some important steps to follow from preparation to cooking the chicken thighs in an air fryer.
- First, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- Second, in a small bowl, add ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, freshly crushed black peppercorn, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and kosher salt. Mix until combined.
- Third, rub the seasoning blend all over the chicken thighs. Don’t forget to rub under the skin.
- Fourth, follow the owner’s manual on how to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F.
- Next, place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side up.
- After that, cook for about 18-25 minutes or until fully cooked. Please note that cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the meat, and the type or brand of air fryer you are using. Therefore, always make sure that the internal temperature reaches 165°F regardless of cooking method and cooking temperature before serving.
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Product used in this recipe: Ninja® Foodi™ Digital Air Fry Oven.
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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in and skin on (about 7 small to medium pieces)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp freshly crushed black peppercorn
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Dry the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- Homemade Spice Rub: In a small bowl, add ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, freshly crushed black peppercorn, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and kosher salt. Mix until combined.
- Season the Chicken: rub the seasoning blend all over the chicken thighs, also make sure to rub under the skin.
- Preheat the air fryer then set the temperature to 400°F.
- Spray the air fry basket with nonstick cooking spray to minimize sticking.
- Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side up. Working in multiple bathes as needed.
- Cook the chicken thighs for 18-25 minutes or until the internal temperature registered at 165°F. Also, rotate the chicken thighs halfway through cooking to get a more even cooking result if possible.
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the chicken, breast side up on a prepared baking sheet.
- Cook for about 35-45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, is no longer pink and until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
melissa chapman
An air fryer seems like the next important gadget I need to have. Those thighs look perfectly cooked and great for any nice dinner.
Amber Myers
Oh heck yes, I love chicken! I just need to get an air fryer now. I still don’t have one, but I have it on my Christmas list.
Monica Simpson
Sounds like a super simple yet delicious way to make chicken thighs! I have always preferred these over chicken breasts. They have way more flavor.
Tasheena
This recipe looks amazing. Looking forward to making it for my family.
Beth
These look so tasty! We don’t have an air fryer (yet) but recipes like this make me realize how much I want one.
Brandy Ellen Writes
This recipe makes chicken thighs look delicious. I always struggle with what to make with chicken thighs, and now you’ve shared a delightful recipe idea. I really need to get an air fryer.
Chef Dennis
Yum! I can’t wait to have this Air Fryer Chicken Thighs on my plate! Looks really delicious and mouthwatering!
Jennifer Van Haitsma
This looks so good! We may have to try to see if Prime Day has a good air fryer sale. I’ve been wanting to get one for a long time.
Nathalie Vorche
I love chicken and Im always finding new recipes for it! It is really good
Catalina
I am drooling over these chicken thighs! They look so amazing and inviting!
Nikki Wayne
Thanks for the recipe!
Terri A Steffes
We love our chicken thighs and so I am going to share this with my husband. I think this would be a great basic way to make your thighs. Thanks!
Lynndee
Those look good! I’ve been thinking about getting me an air fryer. We’ll see.
Bolupe
I like the look of this air fryer chicken thigh, I will definitely be making this. I love my chicken to be spicy.
Swathi
Air fryer chicken thighs looks delicious perfect for week night dinner.
Jessica Formicola
I’ve been making more and more recipes in my air fryer, now I have to try these chicken thighs! What a delicious and easy recipe!
Nathan
Wow, this looks absolutely delicious! The air fryer option is great for getting rid of some of that oil, and I love that you’ve included oven directions as well!
Emmeline
This chicken looks YUMMY! I need some of this right now. Thanks for including instructions for making it in the oven since I sadly don’t have an airfryer yet..
Cathleen
This recipe is making me want to buy an air fryer so bad! Looking forward to Black Friday for a deal on air fryers!!
Katie
Looks so yummy and unique! Can’t wait to try this one.
Dannii
These look so crispy and delicious. The perfect way to eat chicken.
Ruth I
I love chicken! my to go food is chicken in any recipe type. I love how chicken has already a flavor in its own. This recipe is has many flavors going on. I’m excited to try this one! I love this recipe thank you for sharing!
Agnes
I tried cooking once on an air fryer and I am not that convinced as the chicken did not cooked evenly. But, I am open to still using it.
Rika Livingston
You’re welcome!
Rika Livingston
I think you should get it, Lynndee!
Rika Livingston
The chicken thighs came out really crispy! Spicy taste sounds good to me too!
Rika Livingston
You’re welcome, Nikki!
Rika Livingston
This recipe works well in the oven too, Beth!
Rika Livingston
I am glad that you found this recipe useful, Brandy!
Rika Livingston
Sure they will have good sales during Thanksgiving/BlackFriday!
Rika Livingston
Thanks, Catalina!
Rika Livingston
It works perfectly in the oven as well!
Rika Livingston
Absolutely! Use little oil and save on calories!
Rika Livingston
I am sure they will have the best sale for air fryer on Black Friday!
Rika Livingston
Don’t forget to preheat the air fryer before using it! I hope this recipe will turn out well for you!
Rika Livingston
I hope you will find a good air fryer, Amber!