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.
Jump to:
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 a 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.
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 them 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!
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.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Roasted Yellow Squash with Parmesan Cheese
- Summer Squash Casserole
- Roasted Baby Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Orzo Risotto
Product used in this recipe: Ninja® Foodi™ Digital Air Fry Oven.
📖 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
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons 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 teaspoons kosher salt
Method
- 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.
Nutrition
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.
Dannii says
These look so crispy and delicious. The perfect way to eat chicken.
Ruth I says
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 says
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 says
Don't forget to preheat the air fryer before using it! I hope this recipe will turn out well for you!
Linda says
Excellent! Easy and so tasty! Love your seasoning!
Rika says
Thanks for trying and sharing your feedback, Linda! I am glad that this recipe turned out well and you liked it.
Sue says
This was so yummy! The tasty skin was lovely and crisp. I’ll definitely cook this again. 👏 (cooked perfectly, in my air fryer.)
(FYI because my husband and I can’t tolerate onion or garlic, I replaced them with Asafoetida replacement.)
Rika says
Hi Sue,
I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed these air fryer chicken thighs and that the skin turned out perfectly crisp and lovely! It's awesome that you're planning to cook it again. Your adjustments using Asafoetida as a replacement for onion and garlic due to tolerance issues are a smart move to still enjoy the flavors.
Best,
Rika
Lynn says
This is the only way I do chicken thighs. Actually I am making them now. Love it
Rika says
Hi Lynn,
That's awesome to hear! Using the air fryer is a fantastic idea for a quick and crispy result.
Best,
Rika
Michelle says
made them tonight and OMG, they are really good! I don't have a air fryer with a basket, mine is more like a convection oven and dang that skin is nice and crispy and the chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy!
Rika says
Hi Michelle,
I'm so glad to hear your air fryer chicken thighs turned out so well in your convection oven-style air fryer. The crispy skin and juicy chicken sound like a winning combo!
Best,
Rika