Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – Super Crispy Recipe
Crispy and flavorful air fryer chicken thighs made with a simple blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and onion powder. This easy recipe yields juicy, tender meat with a perfectly crispy skin every time, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 to 27 minutes
- Total Time: 27 to 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Thighs
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and skin
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. If desired, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs into a large zip-top bag or bowl with a lid. Add the kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and onion powder. Shake or toss well to evenly coat all the chicken pieces with the seasoning blend.
- Cook Skin Side Down: Remove the chicken from the bag and arrange the thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes to start rendering the fat and crisping the skin.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Turn the chicken thighs skin side up. Cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. For extra crispy skin, cook in 4-minute increments, checking the crispness to your preference between intervals.
- Check Doneness and Serve: The chicken thighs are done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F. Cooking times may vary by thigh size and air fryer wattage. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Trim excess fat and skin to reduce flare-ups and smoke in the air fryer.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Adjust cooking time based on the size of chicken thighs and your specific air fryer model.
- Cooking in increments of 4 minutes after initial cooking allows for customizable crispiness.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking for juices to redistribute.
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