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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Published: Dec 8, 2021 · Modified: Mar 30, 2022 by Kate

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chicken in air fryer basket, with text: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
    Pictures of air fried thighs, with text: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
    Cooked chicken, with text: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.

    Learn how to make super crispy chicken thighs by using your air fryer! Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a quick, easy, and tasty way to use those bone in, skin on thighs. Add some sides and you have a perfect dinner the whole family will love.

    Chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.
    Make crispy chicken thighs in the air fryer!

    The air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food. It's perfect for cooking chicken because it doesn't use any oil, so the air-baked chicken thighs end up being covered in an extra crispy skin without all of the calories from frying.

    Chicken thighs are one of the best proteins to make in the air fryer for many reasons. Not only do the chicken thighs cook fast, but they stay tender on the inside and crispy on the outside and can be seasoned in a variety of different ways.

    Simply coat your chicken thighs with your favorite seasonings. Then add them to a preheated air fryer where you’ll cook them until juicy and tender on the inside. The skin will get crispy from the circulating air making them a great texture.

    Serve air fryer chicken thighs on a weeknight with your favorite side dish, or use for meal prep during a busy work week!

    This recipe was inspired by my Honey & Garlic Boneless Chicken Thighs. It goes perfectly with Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice and Buttered Cabbage.

    Jump to:
    • Why Make This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cook's Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Seasonings
    • Storage & Freezing
    • FAQs
    • Food Safety Tips
    • More air fryer recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why Make This Recipe

    Even though the skin is crispy, the air fryer does not use excessive amounts of oil to cook the chicken.

    This method for cooking chicken thighs takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.

    You can pair chicken thighs with side dishes, or use the meat for chicken salads, soups, and stews.

    Chicken thighs can be seasoned in a variety of different ways to fit the flavor profile of whichever meal you make.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken Thighs - You’ll need bone-on, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. This cut of meat is budget-friendly and easy to cook in the air fryer.
    • Oil - you only need a tiny bit of oil for this air fryer method!
    • Seasonings - Chicken thighs can be seasoned and flavored in a variety of different ways. Check below for a list of my favorite ways to season air fryer chicken thighs.
    • Nonstick Cooking Spray - Use nonstick cooking spray to coat the air fryer basket to keep the chicken from sticking.

    Tools:

    Air Fryer - There are many options out there to choose from when it comes to an air fryer. All work similarly but come in different sizes. Choose one that will cook enough food for your family with minimal batch cooking.

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.

    Instructions

    Wondering how to make this air fryer chicken recipe? It's easy!

    Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

    Prepare the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 375F while you prepare the chicken thighs.

    Prepare the chicken thighs: Trim off any excess skin or fat from the chicken thighs and discard. Use a paper towel to dry the chicken thighs of any excess moisture.

    Ziploc bag with thighs and seasonings ready to be mixed.

    Season the chicken thighs: Add the chicken thighs to a large Ziploc bag or container with your desired seasonings.

    Ziploc bag with chicken thighs, oil and seasonings.

    Coat the chicken: Shake the bag to evenly coat the chicken with seasonings.

    Thighs in the air fryer ready to be cooked.

    Air fry the chicken thighs: Coat the air fryer basket with a light layer of nonstick spray. Add the chicken thighs skin side down to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip over with tongs.

    Part cooked thighs in air fryer.

    Cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165F in the thickest part.

    Remove and serve: Remove from the air fryer with tongs. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving while warm.

    Cook's Tips

    To keep the meat as tender as possible, let the chicken rest on the counter for 10 minutes before cooking in the air fryer. This will help the meat from getting too tough.

    Normally, the air fryer does not need to be preheated. However, when cooking raw meat, it's helpful to warm up the heating element before cooking the chicken thighs for even cooking.

    Add the nonstick spray just before adding the chicken thighs. Adding it beforehand can make it burn and stick to the air fryer basket.

    The chicken thighs should be in a single even layer when cooked. If your air fryer basket is too small, cook them in batches.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve with your favorite side dishes, such as Sesame Green Beans, Microwave Acorn Squash, Microwave Baked Potatoes or Roasted Beets.

    Use the meat from the cooked chicken thighs to make Classic Chicken Salad. 

    Air-fried chicken thighs can be cut up and used inside your favorite pasta dish for more protein. 

    Serve alongside Roasted Broccoli and your favorite grain for a well-rounded meal. 

    Cut up the meat and use it in a vegetable stir fry.

    Mix the cold meat with mayonnaise and use in a chicken salad sandwich.

    Seasonings

    There are so many ways to flavor chicken thighs. Check out this list of my favorite seasonings that you can use to make air fryer chicken thighs.

    • Lemon pepper
    • Cajun
    • Old Bay Seasoning
    • Hickory BBQ
    • Garlic & Parmesan
    • Korean
    • Taco Seasoning
    • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
    • Dry Buffalo Seasoning
    • Italian Seasoning
    • Greek Seasoning
    • Fresh Herbs
    • Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder
    • Poultry Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning

    Storage & Freezing

    Storing: Cooked and cooled air-fried chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.

    Freezing: Any leftover cooked chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag once wrapped in plastic wrap. Freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and serving.

    Plate of air fryer chicken thighs.

    FAQs

    Can I add aluminum foil to the air fryer basket?

    While this does help with clean up, the foil will block the flow of air on the bottom of the chicken keeping it from cooking properly. Therefore foil is not recommended.

    Can I cook chicken breasts in the air fryer?

    Yes, you can use a similar method to cook chicken breasts. However, chicken breasts will need to cook at a slightly lower temperature and for longer to keep from drying out. Always use a kitchen thermometer to check if the chicken is safe to consume.

    Do I need to preheat my air fryer to cook chicken?

    While most recipes don’t require the air fryer to preheat, cooking protein raw protein is the exception. Preheating the air fryer helps keep the chicken at a safe temperature to cook evenly.

    Food Safety Tips

    • Before cooking, wash your hands and countertops.
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that has touched raw meat.
    • Always wash your hands after touching raw meat.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended.
    • Keep those pot/pan handles turned in away from the front of the stove.
    • When cooking at high temperatures, use oils with a high smoking point, to avoid harmful compounds.
    • Ensure you have good ventilation when cooking on gas.
    • Put foods in the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking. Reduce this to within 1 hour if it is 90 degrees or hotter outside.
    • Safely thaw food in the fridge, under cold running water, or in the microwave.
    • To ensure food is cooked through, it's best to use a food thermometer. Be aware that you can’t always tell by looking.

    Cook to safe temperatures:

    • Beef, Pork, Lamb: 145 °F
    • Fish: 145 °F
    • Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Ground Lamb: 160 °F
    • Turkey, Chicken, Duck: 165 °F

    More air fryer recipes

    We hope that you love this tasty chicken thighs in air fryer recipe! Be sure to also check out these other air fryer dishes too!

    • Air Fryer Cauliflower
    • Air Fryer Hot Dogs
    • Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
    • Brats in Air Fryer

    Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Cooked air fryer chicken thighs in the air fryer basket.

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Learn how to make super crispy chicken thighs by using your air fryer! Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are quick, easy and tasty, with minimal oil.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: air fryer chicken thighs
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 32 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 278kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 4 chicken thighs ideally bone-in, skin-on
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Seasoning ideas (optional) - use approx 1 tablespoon

    • Lemon pepper
    • Cajun
    • Old Bay Seasoning
    • Hickory BBQ
    • Garlic & Parmesan
    • Korean
    • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for a few minutes.
    • Meanwhile, trim any excess fat or skin away from the chicken thighs and discard.
    • Add the chicken to a large ziploc bag along with the oil and any spices or seasonings you’re using, and shake to coat.
    • Spray the bowl of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Place the chicken thighs into the air fryer, skin side down, and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Using tongs, turn the chicken thighs over and cook for a further 15 minutes. Check to see if they need to be cooked for longer or if you’d like them to be crispier.
    • Note: To check that they’re done, a meat thermometer should read at least 165F.
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Notes

    • To keep the meat as tender as possible, let the chicken rest on the counter for 10 minutes before cooking in the air fryer. This will help the meat from getting too tough.
    • Normally, the air fryer does not need to be preheated. However, when cooking raw meat, it's helpful to warm up the heating element before cooking the chicken thighs for even cooking.
    • Add the nonstick spray just before adding the chicken thighs. Adding it beforehand can make it burn and stick to the air fryer basket.
    • The chicken thighs should be in a single even layer when cooked.
    • If your air fryer basket is too small, cook them in batches.
    Seasonings
    There are so many ways to flavor chicken thighs. Check out this list of my favorite seasonings that you can use to make air fryer chicken thighs.
    Lemon pepper
    Cajun
    Old Bay Seasoning
    Hickory BBQ
    Garlic & Parmesan
    Korean
    Taco Seasoning
    Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
    Dry Buffalo Seasoning
    Italian Seasoning
    Greek Seasoning
    Fresh Herbs
    Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder
    Poultry Seasoning
    Chii Seasoning

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 232mg | Vitamin A: 88IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Salmon Bites
    • Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Pesto Chicken
    • Turkey Patties

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hanna

      December 08, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      These chicken thighs are perfect! The skin looks is crispy!

      Reply
    2. Natalie

      December 14, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      This was a super simple family dinner and we had them with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. The meat was perfectly cooked and flavorful!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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