Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Enjoy perfectly crispy air fryer chicken thighs with juicy, flavorful meat in every bite. This easy recipe delivers golden skin and tender chicken with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Try my oven baked chicken kabobs or Ritz cracker chicken next!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Just 5 minutes of prep time
- Simple ingredients that add so much flavor
- Perfect chicken dinner on any busy night
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs, Bone-In (1.5 lbs)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (29.58 ml)
- 1 Lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 tsp Salt (2 g)
- ½ tsp Pepper (1 g)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder (2 g)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder (2 g)
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (2 g)
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika (2 g)
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE – Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (or 204 degrees C).
STEP TWO – In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and smoked paprika. Using a fork or a whisk, stir to combine them all. Set aside.
STEP THREE – Prepare the chicken thighs by patting them dry and trimming off any excess fat and skin.
STEP FOUR – Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl.
STEP FIVE – Drizzle the oil over the top of the chicken thighs, along with the lemon zest and juice.
STEP SIX – Then sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top of the chicken.
STEP SEVEN – Using your hands, rub the oil and spice mixture over all of the chicken thighs (front and back).
STEP EIGHT- Add the chicken thighs skin side down without touching each other into the air fryer basket.
STEP NINE – Cook the chicken thighs at 400 degrees F (or 204 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes. **The chicken thighs are done when an instant-read thermometer (or meat thermometer) reads 175 degrees F (or 79 degrees C).
STEP TEN – Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow them to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Allowing them to sit for 5 minutes really helps keep the chicken thighs juicy!
Top tips for making the best air fryer chicken thighs
- All air fryers cook a little differently so it is best to know your air fryer and adjust cooking times or watch closely
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket as you will want space in between each chicken thigh so the air flows and cooks your chicken thighs evenly
- You can use parchment paper liners that fit your air fryer for easier cleanup and less sticking
To reheat the chicken in the air fryer, place the chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350 °F for about 7 to 8 minutes. Check the temperature to make sure that the chicken has warmed throughout.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover chicken thighs in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat the chicken in the air fryer, place the chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350 °F for about 7 to 8 minutes. Check the temperature to make sure that the chicken has warmed throughout.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe is quick and easy with just 5 minutes of prep time to make the best crispy air fryer chicken thighs. Made with minimal seasonings, these flavorful chicken thighs cook in the air fryer and come out crispy on the outside and so juicy on the inside.
Ingredients
4 Chicken Thighs, Bone-In (1.5 lbs)
2 tbsp Olive Oil (29.58 ml)
1 Lemon, juiced and zested
1 tsp Salt (2 g)
1/2 tsp Pepper (1 g)
1 tsp Onion Powder (2 g)
1 tsp Garlic Powder (2 g)
1 tsp Italian Seasoning (2 g)
1 tsp Smoked Paprika (2 g)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (or 204 degrees C).
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and smoked paprika. Using a fork or a whisk, stir to combine them all. Set aside.
- Prepare the chicken thighs by patting them dry and trimming off any excess fat and skin.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the oil over the top of the chicken thighs along with the lemon juice and zest.
- Then sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top of the chicken.
- Using your hands, rub the oil and spice mixture over all of the chicken thighs (front and back).
- Optional step: Allow the chicken to sit with the lemon juice and spices to help marinate the chicken for about 30 minutes before cooking for an even more flavorful chicken thigh!
- Add the chicken thighs skin side down without touching each other into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken thighs at 400 degrees F (or 204 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes. **The chicken thighs are done when an instant-read thermometer (or meat thermometer) reads 175 degrees F (or 79 degrees C).
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow them to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Allowing them to sit for 5 minutes really helps keep the chicken thighs juicy!
Notes
Storage & Reheating Instructions: Store any leftover chicken thighs in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat the chicken in the air fryer, place the chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350 °F for about 7 to 8 minutes. Check the temperature to make sure that the chicken has warmed throughout.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
