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These air fryer chicken thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside and ridiculously juicy in the middle! Ready in just 12 minutes, they make a speedy and delicious dinner.
Love air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer coconut shrimp, air fryer steak, air fryer hamburgers, and air fryer turkey breast next.
I love quick and easy proteins for weeknight dinners and my air fryer chicken thighs are always a winner. Being a darker meat, they are naturally more flavorful and juicy, so don’t need many seasonings to make them shine.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Quick and easy. From prep to plate, these chicken thighs need less than 12 minutes to cook!
- No marinating is needed. The thighs don’t need any marinating whatsoever- just a few seasonings to let the meat shine.
- Crispy and juicy. A secret trick guarantees the chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside (hint- it’s a dash of baking powder!).
- Super versatile. We love to enjoy these thighs as is and pair them with some air fryer frozen green beans and air fryer baked potatoes for a well-balanced dinner.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I have made this recipe a number of times, and the chicken always comes out so juicy and tender. I like to play around with different mixes of spices and herbs depending on what I am going for, but I almost always use smoked paprika. It adds a lovely savory flavor and goes with just about everything. Delicious!” – Adrienne
Ingredients needed
- Chicken thighs. Choose bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs, as they turn out juicy when cooked. I’ve tried this with boneless skinless chicken thighs, and they are fine, too; you just don’t get the crispy skin.
- Olive oil. A flavorful and robust oil that gives the chicken a lovely flavor. Other oils will also work.
- Seasonings. I keep things simple with a little salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. This seasoning mixture may sound basic, but it truly allows the natural flavors of the chicken thighs to shine.
How to air fryer chicken thighs
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Preheat the air fryer. Start by preheating the air fryer to 375F/190C. Ensure no crumbs or bits and pieces are in the air fryer vents.
Step 2- Prep the chicken. Next, use a paper towel to soak up any excess moisture. Rub the oil on the chicken, followed by the seasonings.
Step 3- Air fry the chicken thighs. Now, add the chicken thighs to the air fryer and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 4- Check and serve. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, it is ready to serve.
Arman’s recipe tips
- My #1 tip when working with chicken is always using a meat thermometer to check the doneness. Ready-to-eat chicken needs to have an internal temperature of 165F.
- Always pat dry the chicken before seasoning it. This guarantees a crispy exterior and keeps all the juices inside.
- You must flip the chicken halfway through to cook both sides evenly. No one wants one side super crispy and one side soggy.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or else you risk the chicken cooking unevenly. If needed, cook the thighs in batches. Also, try to choose equal-sized chicken thighs so they cook at the same time.
- Add a spicy kick by adding some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and chili powder.
- Marinate it. Rub some eel sauce, katsu sauce, or even some bulgogi sauce for a fun Asian twist.
Storage instructions
To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.
To Freeze: Place the cooked and cooled chicken in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating: Thaw the frozen chicken overnight before reheating in the air fryer, oven, or even microwave.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, and increase the cooking time by 3-4 minutes. There is no need to thaw the meat, but I’d suggest spraying some cooking spray or rubbing some oil on it for the seasonings to stick.
More air fryer chicken recipes to try
- Air fryer fried chicken
- Air fryer chicken parmesan
- Air fryer BBQ chicken
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Air fryer chicken cutlets
- Air fryer whole chicken
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
12-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Video
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken thighs skin-on fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 190C/375F.
- In a bowl, add the chicken and oil and mix together. Add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and garlic powder and mix well.
- Place chicken, skin side up, in an air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Be sure to flip halfway through.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them sit for five minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published April 2022, updated and republished June 2024
Excellent
The best air fryer chicken thighs recipe ever!
Andrew didn’t see video available
Fabulous yummy.
Super juicy and flavorful!
Just made the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs for dinner and they were really delicious! I used the spices listed, though the garlic was a roasted garlic which I highly recommend. My husband liked them as well. It was only the second time using my air fryer so i was very happy it turned out a success!
I have made this recipe a number of times and the chicken always comes out so juicy and tender. I like to play around with different mixes of spices and herbs depending on what I am going for, but I almost always use smoked paprika. It adds a lovely savory flavor and goes with just about everything. Delicious!
I like my meat crispy.