What is Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a quick, easy, and healthier way to cook chicken thighs using an air fryer — a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, similar to convection baking but faster and with less oil.

If you’ve never made chicken thighs in the air fryer, you need this top-rated air fryer chicken thigh recipe in your life ASAP. The results are irresistible thighs that are tender and juicy on the inside, but nice and crispy on the outside.

How to Make Chicken Thighs In the Air Fryer Step-By-Step

1. Pat the thighs dry and brush the skins with olive oil.
2. Make the spice blend and sprinkle it all over the thighs.
3. Cook in the preheated air fryer until the skin is brown and the juices run clear.

How Long to Cook 

Boneless chicken thighs should be fully cooked after about 18 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 400 degrees F. Make sure you check the internal temperature before you serve — an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 165 degrees F.

Ingredients

• 4 skin-on, boneless chicken thighs
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Gather all ingredients and preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and brush skins with olive oil. Place chicken thighs, skin-side down, in a single layer on a plate.

3. Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of the seasoning mixture evenly over thighs. Turn thighs over and evenly sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Arrange thighs, skin-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

4. Cook in the preheated air fryer until thighs are brown and the juices run clear, about 18 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

5. Serve and enjoy!