Crispy-skinned, spectacularly juicy, smoky paprika-rubbed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a no-effort recipe that earns unanimous praise and augments kitchen swagger. Show
Of the dozens (hundreds?) of recipes I’ve tested the last several months, air fryer chicken thighs are the first to earn the highest honor awarded in our household:
He even went so far as to call this the best chicken he’d ever had. Between Baked Chicken Thighs, Pan-Fried Chicken Breast, and all of these healthy chicken recipes, that’s quite a statement. I know he means it too, because, while he gets jazzed about other proteins like Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Pork Chops, chicken rarely causes a heart flutter. (Unless it’s Air Fryer Chicken Wings, but let’s be real—that’s more about the Buffalo sauce.) On the diner’s end, these juicy thighs have everything going for them.
But that’s not the end of the story. From the cook’s perspective (that’s me and you), it’s hard to find an easier recipe, let alone one that’s this easy AND this fast.
For this recipe, you can use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (I’ve included times for both), but I highly recommend using bone-in, skin-on for this recipe.
The Most Important Tool for Cooking MeatWhile using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs gives you better protection from dry meat than if you were to use boneless skinless chicken thighs, you can still overcook chicken thighs. For best results use an instant read thermometer.
The Ingredients
The Directions
A Note on Chicken TemperaturePer the FDA, chicken thighs should be cooked to 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone. That said, the chicken’s temperature will continue to rise as it rests. Resting meat is necessary for juicy results. I prefer to pull my chicken thighs out of the air fryer at 155 to 160 degrees F and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the carryover cooking to finish the job. I have never had an issue with undercooked chicken. More Ways to Season Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Storage Tips
Meal Prep TipUp to 1 day in advance, coat the chicken thighs in the oil and spice mixture. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken ThighsSide Dishes 1 hr 10 mins Side Dishes 50 mins Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
The Best Air FryerA faster and less messy way to enjoy your favorite crispy foods. This model is slightly larger than most, meaning you can cook more at once. Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought! Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. Frequently Asked QuestionsCan You Air Fry Chicken Thighs that are Frozen? Yes! Unlike Crockpot Shredded Chicken, it is OK to put frozen chicken in an air fryer. I would only suggest this with boneless skinless thighs, as the bone-in kind would be difficult to thaw. Air fry frozen chicken thighs at 360 degrees F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, then check for doneness. Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs? While I love using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe, you can use boneless thighs instead. See the recipe notes for tips. Do I have More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes? Yes! I have a ton! you can find them here! Air Fryer Chicken Thighs VideoIf you enjoy this video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Be sure to click the BELL icon so you can be the first to know when we post a new video (and thank you for subscribing!).
Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 142mgPotassium: 369mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1407IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg Join today and start saving your favorite recipesCreate an account to easily save your favorite projects and tutorials. Register More Chicken Thigh RecipesStir Fries 20 mins Soups & Stews 1 hr 10 mins
This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. You May Also LikeAir Fryer 35 mins Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME! Learn more about Erin How long do you cook thighs in an air fryer?Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Add the chicken thighs to the air fryer basket, skin-side down and without touching. Cook, flipping skin-side up halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part (avoiding the bone) reads 165 degrees F, about 18 minutes.
How do you cook boneless skinless air fryer?First: place the chicken breasts in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with seasoning, salt, and pepper. Turn to coat with the seasoning. Next: place in the air fryer basket and air fry to 380ºF for 20 minutes or until an instant meat thermometer reaches 165ºF, turning halfway through.
Can you cook chicken from raw in air fryer?Yes, you put raw frozen chicken in the air fryer! You won't be able to brine it first or pound it to an even thickness (so the results are not *as* juicy) but if you forget to thaw your chicken, it's a great option to have on hand.
How do you make juicy chicken with an air fryer?Instructions. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Rub olive oil on the chicken.. In a small bowl add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Rub on each sides of the chicken.. Cook in the air fryer at 360 degrees for 9 minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the chicken.. |