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. It's also gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly!
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.
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs 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:
- ROASTED YELLOW SQUASH WITH PARMESAN CHEESE AND HERBS
- SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE | CHEESY AND HEALTHY – WITH RECIPE VIDEO 🎥
- BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN
- HASSELBACK BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BROWN BUTTER SAGE
- INSTANT POT MASHED SWEET POTATOES
- ROASTED BABY POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC
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.
Check out more chicken recipes:
- CHINESE ROASTED CHICKEN
- COQ AU VIN (FRENCH CHICKEN IN WINE SAUCE)
- ROASTED HALF CHICKEN
- LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN THIGHS
- HEALTHY BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS (AKA CHICKEN STRIPS)
- CHICKEN SHAWARMA (OVEN-ROASTED + INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS) – WITH VIDEO 🎥
- OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN BREAST (SO TENDER AND JUICY!)
- HARISSA CHICKEN RECIPE – WITH RECIPE VIDEO 🎥
- CREAMY CHICKEN MARSALA
- MEDITERRANEAN ROAST CHICKEN WITH VEGGIES
- INSTANT POT GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN WINGS (NINJA FOODI + OVEN-BAKED INSTRUCTIONS)
- DRY RUB CHICKEN WINGS (OVEN-BAKED/INSTANT POT/NINJA FOODI)
- INSTANT POT CHICKEN WINGS WITH BUFFALO SAUCE
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in and skin on, (about 7 small to medium pieces) Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels
Seasoning Spice Blend:
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon freshly crushed black peppercorn
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all seasoning spice blend ingredients until combined. Rub it all over the chicken thighs, including under the skin.
- Preheat the air fryer then set the temperature to 400°F. Lightly grease the basket or tray with oil.
- Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side up. Working in multiple batches as needed. Cook the chicken thighs for 18-25 minutes or until the internal temperature registered at 165°F, rotate the chicken halfway through.
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.
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!
Rika Livingston
Absolutely! Use little oil and save on calories!
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..
Rika Livingston
It works perfectly in the oven as well!
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!!
Rika Livingston
I am sure they will have the best sale for air fryer on Black Friday!
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
Don't forget to preheat the air fryer before using it! I hope this recipe will turn out well for you!
Linda
Excellent! Easy and so tasty! Love your seasoning!
Rika
Thanks for trying and sharing your feedback, Linda! I am glad that this recipe turned out well and you liked it.