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    You are here: Home » Method » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    April 30, 2021 (updated July 7, 2022) by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Crispy chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer with a title bar that reads "air fryer chicken thighs - crisp and juicy in 20 minutes!"
    Crispy chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer with a title bar that reads "air fryer chicken thighs"
    A collage of air fryer chicken thighs on a platter and in an air fryer basket with a title bar that reads "air fryer chicken thighs"
    A collage of air fryer chicken thighs on a platter and in an air fryer basket with a title bar that reads "air fryer chicken thighs - crispy and juicy in 20 minutes!"

    Improbably crispy skin in 20 minutes with no greasy mess? It’s not a myth; it’s air fried. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs give great crunch on the outside, and moist, juicy meat on the inside. Perfectly seasoned to enhance the taste you know and love, this dish works with any side you can come up with to make it an even bigger crowd-pleaser.

    Jump to:
    • Watch The Recipe Video!
    • Why the Air Fryer Instead of the Oven or Stovetop?
    • How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
    • The Secret to Super Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
    • Tips for Making This Recipe Perfectly
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Make It A Meal
    • More Ways to Love Chicken Thighs
    • Recipe

    It’s highly unlikely that I’ll ever take on old-school fried chicken for this blog. Number one, the amount of grease required simply negates any health standard I could excuse away. Second, the amount of grease required negates any desire to deal with the ensuing cleanups, burns, or residue. And last but not least, there are a handful of recipes that I staunchly believe I will never replicate successfully enough to do justice to the best version of that food. Fried chicken is absolutely one of those things.

    But that sure don’t mean I don’t want a clean and easy way to make crispy chicken at home – and I have achieved this using an oven, a grill, and a skillet. Or so I thought.

    Watch The Recipe Video!

    I didn’t want to coat all that pre-existing natural potential for cracklin’ good skin with breading or batter; I wanted to work with what mother nature gave these plump, juicy little birds. And sweet angels in heaven… I’ve never gotten crunch like this – even with grill char – in my life. If crispy skin is your thing, then cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer is that thing’s fairy godmother.

    These air fryer chicken thighs have it all, and may just have it all over other cooking methods (CAVEAT WARNING) depending on your meal goals. Perfectly crisped, cooked, and seasoned, it’s honestly the best “plain” chicken I’ve come across, and is a beaut for allowing sides with bolder flavors to shine. (Scroll for serving suggestions.)

    Why the Air Fryer Instead of the Oven or Stovetop?

    I love the standby for crisping in a skillet and finishing in the oven for plenty of chicken thigh combos, but for a recipe this simple where texture is key, the air fryer is the clear winner. Need a reason? Choose one or more from:

    • Super. Crispy. Skin.
    • It cooks way faster.
    • Zero risk of burning skin on stovetop – yours or the chickens.
    • Plus the skin doesn’t stick!
    • No splatter, thus no sticky residue.
    • Easier cleanup.
    • No overheating the kitchen in the warmer months.
    • And, you can save oven/stovetop space for side dishes.

    How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

    Total timesaver alert! Simple, seasoned Air Fryer Chicken Thighs come out crispy and juicy every time. Just 20 minutes in the air fryer and you’ve got a healthy, easy, inexpensive, yummy main dish that goes with anything. What’s not to love?

    For an interactive recipe post, click here to view the web story!

    1. Pat the chicken thighs dry and place in a baking dish. Optional Dry Brine: Follow instructions below.
    2. Work oil and seasonings into both sides of the chicken. Coat evenly.
    3. Transfer thighs to air fryer basket – skin side down – in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd – you may need two batches.
    4. Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken, cook an additional 8-10 minutes/165°F.
    5. Remove chicken, garnish, and serve immediately.

    The Secret to Super Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    DRY BRINE! This is optional – you can skip this step and still have very tender meat and crispy skin. But this quick tip elevates the flavor and texture even more.

    Pat the chicken dry, then season all over with kosher salt. Leave uncovered at room temperature for 30 minutes. The salt will further draw out any moisture in the skin, while at the same time season the meat.

    After dry brining, pat dry once more, then season and transfer to the air fryer.

    Bringing the chicken to room temperature also ensure the chicken will cook through evenly. Win-win all around!

    Tips for Making This Recipe Perfectly

    • Pat the chicken dry first. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
    • Season generously.
    • Don’t overcrowd the basket. Fit what you can into a single layer without overlap (my basket is on the small side and I can fit 4 medium-sized chicken thighs).
    • Get to know your gadget. Does it need to be preheated? Does it tend to smoke? Preheat if necessary (check the manufacturer’s instructions) and if your machine tends to smoke, add 2 tbsp water into the container.
    • Always check the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer. Chicken thighs should be cooked to 165°F.

    Storing and Reheating

    Before I had an air fryer, I never reheated bone in, skin-on chicken thighs. But the air fryer makes it both easy and tasty. Simply place in the basket and reheat at 350-375°F for 2-4 minutes, depending on size.

    Make It A Meal

    All these sides would round out a great meal with these air fryer bone-in chicken thighs. Pick one or a couple to create a combo:

    • Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”
    • Garlicky Green Beans with Crispy Shallots
    • Oven-Bakesd Basil Fries
    • Honey Roasted Carrots
    • Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower
    • Lemon Garlic Asparagus
    • Parmesan Zucchini Fries
    • Keto Creamed Spinach
    • Butternut Squash Fries

    More Ways to Love Chicken Thighs

    • Rosemary Chicken Thighs and Potatoes
    • Crispy Chicken Thighs with Burst Tomatoes
    • Easy Artichoke Chicken
    • One-Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs

    Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Total timesaver alert! Simple, seasoned Air Fryer Chicken Thighs come out crispy and juicy every time. Just 20 minutes in the air fryer and you've got a healthy, easy, inexpensive, yummy main dish that goes with anything. What's not to love?
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 20 mins
    Servings : 4
    Calories:

    Ingredients

    • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tsp italian seasoning
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • ½ tsp ground pepper
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • Chopped parsley or basil, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Pat the chicken thighs dry, then place into a bowl of casserole dish. Optional Dry Brine: season the chicken with kosher salt all over. Rest uncovered at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat the chicken dry once more.
    • Drizzle chicken thighs with the olive oil, then sprinkle with the italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Work the oil and seasonings into both sides of the chicken until evenly coated.
    • Arrange the chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overcrowd.
    • Program the air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes; flip the chicken, then return to the air fryer and cook an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F using an instant read thermometer.
    • Remove from the basket, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve immediately.
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    3 Comments
    Filed Under: Air Fryer, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Keto, Main Dishes, Paleo, Whole30 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gwendolyn

      May 14, 2021 at 7:37 pm

      Please sign me up for your recipes. I missed my opportunity when I first accessed this recipe. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Dan Ettinger

      December 20, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      “Fried” implies some form of breading or batter coating on the chicken. This recipe doesn’t include one. Oil rubbed, seasoned chicken would be roasted chicken rather than fried.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. One-Pan Artichoke Chicken with White Wine Sauce - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      June 9, 2022 at 10:27 am

      […] are three great ways to cook them: if you’re a beginner, consider a simple treatment like air fryer chicken thighs; if you’re on a time-crunch, you can’t go wrong with sheet pan chicken thighs; but if […]

      Reply

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