Delicious homemade Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Crispy air fryer chicken thighs with juicy meat and golden skin—weeknight high-protein dinner with almost no cleanup. Seasoned simply and cooked to a safe 165°F every time.

⏱️
10
min prep time
🔥
25
min cook time
🍽️
4
servings
📊
Easy
difficulty

🛒Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4–6)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

🔧Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Air fryer
  • Tongs
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Paper towels
  • Mixing bowl

📝Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat chicken thighs very dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil and all seasonings.

  2. 2

    Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.

  3. 3

    Arrange thighs skin-side up in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Do not overcrowd.

  4. 4

    Air fry 22–28 minutes, flipping once halfway, until skin is crisp and thickest part reaches 165°F.

  5. 5

    Rest 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.

🥗Nutrition Information

Calories per serving: 380

🏷️Recipe Tags

air fryer chicken thighscrispy chicken thighshigh protein dinnerair fryer chickenweeknight chickenamericaneasy dinnerjuicy thighsmeal prep chickengluten free dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

Boneless thighs?

Yes—air fry at 380°F for about 16–20 minutes to 165°F.

How do I get crispier skin?

Dry thoroughly, don’t overcrowd, and finish 2 minutes at 400°F if needed.

Meal prep?

Cool, refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F until 165°F.

Can I use frozen thighs?

Thaw fully in the fridge first for even cooking and food safety.

What to serve with?

Rice, roasted broccoli, or a simple salad for a balanced high-protein plate.

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