Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
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.
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.
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.
Jody
I’m new to the air fryer and this makes me a believer!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Ingredients
Like my Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe, the ingredient list for air fryer chicken thighs is short and simple.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
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.
Can you use boneless skinless chicken thighs ?
Yes, the recipe includes cook times for both boneless skinless and bone-in chicken thighs.
These are just perfect. Thanks.
I’m new to the air fryer and this makes me a believer!
This is the best chicken ever. Turns out perfectly every time. But how would you suggest from from frozen?
Hi Ruth,
For frozen chicken thighs, I would cook them the full recipe cook time of 24 minutes and then check them with a thermometer. Then add 2-3 more minutes if they are still under 165 degrees F.
Hi Kristine. If you are taking your crispy thighs to a party how do you keep them crisp and from getting soggy?
Hi Jean, Unfortunately, these will lose their crispiness over time. The best way to serve them crispy is to serve them straight from the oven. They are still delicious even when they’ve lost their crispiness, though!
This recipe was so good and delicious!!! The boneless, skinless thighs were so good and tender. The coating on the thighs was great!!! I will definitely make this again!!!
Delicious chicken thighs with bone in and skin on! So easy! Tasted like I spent a lot of time and energy. No pan searing, etc. The skins were so crisp and flavorful, just like the thigh meat.
This is by far the best air fryer chicken. It’s crispy and moist and tastes amazing. My husband who is a picky eater just loves it. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I just purchased a toaster /air fry oven and your recipe worked great thank you!
First time using our air fryer. These came out pretty good! I did mine for 27 minutes total because my thighs were just a hair frozen, probably should have done 24, but oh well. I wouldn’t personally rub the seasonings on if I were to make this again, when I do I usually get the seasonings on my hands rather than the chicken.
Super great- this was my first-time cooking chicken! I used boneless, skinless thighs and they turned out fantastic. Juicy and flavorful meat, and delicious outsides. My boyfriend and his roommates loved them. I didn’t have smoked paprika so I used chipotle powder and it worked really well. I would air fry mine at 400 for 17-18 minutes however, I had to put mine back in for 5 minutes.
Soo good and came out nice and crispy!
These were so good! Crispy on the outside and juicy inside
Loved them!
How long can these be kept refrigerated and frozen after cooked? I’ve made these and they are amazing. But I need to make a head some due to a surgery I have next week.
The USDA recommends storing cooked chicken for no more than 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I have not tried freezing these, but generally it’s best to use frozen food within 3 months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. Best wishes to you!
This was the easiest way for me to do a batch of chicken thighs! They turned out really well ! I’m going to use them to top off a rice dish so the spices will be a perfect complement! 👍🏼
Seriously delicious, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside.
The thighs come out crispy and tasty
Awesome taste! Perfectly crispy on the outside & tender & juicy on the inside. This is now my go-to recipe for chicken thighs. So easy & quick! My family loves it – thank you!
Excellent flavors…good spice mixture, will remember this for future.
Delicious! Crisp skin, juicy, great flavor.
I used 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika, as I did not have the regular, but I loved the flavor and will keep the change.
this is the cooking information I ws looking for as I am new to air frying
I did everything as presented in the recipe and my chicken came out like it was steamed and chewy. I’m hoping it will make a good chicken salad.
Maybe if i drained the chicken after the first 5-7 min it would have crisped and seared to retain the moisture?
Thanks for sharing and I’m not giving up.
Hi Tim,
I’m not sure why there was so much liquid in your air fryer. This definitely shouldn’t turn out steamed and chewy. I hope you’ll have better luck next time!