See my guide on how to use an Air Fryer.

These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are crispy, juicy and deliciously seasoned! This easy recipe includes cook times for both bone-in and boneless chicken thighs.

Three crispy bone in air fryer chicken thighs on a plate garnished with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

From the very first time I made these air fryer chicken thighs, I knew we had a winner! Not only does my whole family love them, but this recipe requires almost no effort from me.

This chicken is so juicy and flavorful and the crispy skin is next-level. I’ve tested this recipe with both bone-in and boneless chicken thighs and both turned out incredibly delicious! I like to use boneless, skinless thighs when I want to slice the chicken up and add it to a salad. If I’m serving the chicken as is, I usually cook bone-in thighs because the bone keeps the meat just a smidge more juicy.

Like my Air Fryer Fried Chicken and Air Fryer Chicken Legs, I’ve seasoned these air fryer chicken thighs with a simple blend of spices and seasonings that give the meat so much flavor. I’ve used common spices, so you likely have all of them in your kitchen already. I like to rub some of the seasoning under the skin to flavor the meat. 

Close up of crispy air fryer chicken thighs on a plate with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

I usually serve these air fryer chicken thighs with a simple veggie side dish or salad and my most-loved Biscuit Recipe. If you don’t have an air fryer try my Baked Chicken Thighs recipe instead.

These are just perfect. Thanks.
I’m new to the air fryer and this makes me a believer!

Jody

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Ingredients

Like my Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe, the ingredient list for air fryer chicken thighs is short and simple.

Ingredients for air fryer chicken thighs recipe.
  • Chicken Thighs: I prefer to cook bone in skin on chicken thighs in the air fryer because the bone helps the chicken to stay extra juicy and the skin gets crispy as it cooks. However, you can also use this recipe to make air fryer boneless chicken thighs. I’ve included cook times for both bone-in and boneless thighs in the recipe.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil helps the seasoning rub to stick to the chicken.
  • Seasonings: Paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper come together to give the chicken the best flavor! I usually use sweet paprika in this recipe, but you can use smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Here’s a quick overview of how to make this recipe. See the printable recipe card below for the full recipe with measurements.

  1. To start, preheat the air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and then rub them with olive oil.
Olive oil drizzled over four uncooked bone-in chicken thighs.
  1. Stir together the seasonings in a small bowl and then sprinkle them over the chicken pieces. Rub the seasonings onto the chicken to help them stick. Try to get a little seasoning under the skin for maximum flavor.
Seasonings sprinkled over bone-in chicken thighs before cooking.
  1. You’ll first air fry the chicken skin side down and then flip it and cook on the other side until it is cooked through. If you are cooking skinless chicken thighs they do not need to be flipped during the cook time.
Four raw seasoned bone in chicken thighs in air fryer basket.

How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

The cook time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces, whether or not they have a bone, and could also depend on your model of air fryer. These cook times are estimates based on my recipe testing in my air fryer. The best way to tell if your chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to 165° F measured at the thickest part, not touching the bone. Chicken thighs are forgiving and will be juicy even if cooked a little past 165 degrees.

  • Air fry bone-in chicken thighs at 400° F for 12 minutes, then flip and cook for 7-12 more minutes.
  • Air fry boneless chicken thighs at 400° F for 11-15 minutes total.
Four cooked bone-in chicken thighs in air fryer basket.

Recipe Tips

  • Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You want the hot air to be able to circulate around the pieces so that the skin will crisp as it cooks. Cook the chicken in batches if needed. Want to cook more chicken at once? Try this Instant Pot Chicken Thighs recipe.
  • Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting into it. This wait time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. 
  • If you have extra room in your air fryer, you can air fry a vegetable at the same time as the chicken, as long as everything fits in a single layer. This may be an option if you have a larger air fryer model and are cooking for one or two, rather than a large family.
Air fryer chicken thigh served with white rice and green beans.

Serving Ideas

There are so many side dishes that go well with air fryer chicken thighs! For healthy vegetable sides, try Roasted Broccoli, Air Fryer Zucchini or Roasted Brussels Sprouts. My family also loves Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Rice or Mashed Potatoes with chicken thighs.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Love air fryer recipes? Try these easy favorites next!

Three bone-in air fryer chicken thighs on a plate with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
4.96 from 23 ratings

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are crispy, juicy and deliciously seasoned. This easy recipe includes cook times for both bone-in and boneless chicken thighs. Serve them with a few simple side dishes for a meal the whole family will love.
Print Recipe Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs, or 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry. Rub them with the olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, combine the seasonings: paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub seasonings over chicken thighs.
  • Cook chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. (Cook in batches if needed.) Cook chicken thighs at 400° F, skin side down, in the air fryer for 12 minutes. Flip and cook on the second side for 7-12 minutes, until cooked to an internal temperature of 165° F. (If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, there is no need to flip them. Boneless chicken thighs will take 11-15 minutes total to cook, depending on their size.)

Notes

  • Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. The chicken thighs should be in a single layer. You want the air to be able to circulate around the pieces so that the skin will crisp as it cooks. Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
  • Air fryers may vary so the cook times given are estimates. Use an instant read thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked to at least 165° F.
Serving: 1bone-in thigh, Calories: 354kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 142mg, Sodium: 403mg, Potassium: 327mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 368IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
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