Our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are juicy on the inside and perfectly seasoned and crispy on the outside. This is one of my family’s go-to, easy dinner ideas because there’s no marinating required, and it’s ready in a fraction of the time it takes to bake chicken thighs in the oven!
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Helpful Reader Review
“I love how easy this was to make in the air fryer! The chicken thighs turned out perfect and were a hit with the whole family!” – Olivia ★★★★★
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
This is my go-to, never-fail recipe for perfectly juicy air fryer chicken thighs. These thighs turn out so juicy and tender throughout with crisp, well-seasoned skin. Plus, it’s ready in less than half of the time it takes in the oven. We love baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs (and Grilled Chicken Thighs), but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in an evening. That’s when we turn to this air fryer chicken thighs recipe.
Air-fried chicken thighs are easy, flavorful, and perfect to serve with just about any side, from rice to veggies. Plus, the leftover chicken keeps well, perfect for healthy meal prep ideas and lunches all week long. Serve your chicken thighs with Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes and a Garden Salad for a flavorful and memorable meal.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Video
I’ll show you the fastest and easiest way to air-fry chicken thighs seasoned with a savory blend of herbs and spices. The air fryer is my favorite method for irresistibly crispy chicken!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken
Below is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make these perfectly seasoned air fryer chicken thighs. Remember to refer to the print-friendly recipe card below for the full amounts and details.
- Chicken Thighs – We love using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe.
- Olive Oil – Use good-quality olive oil or avocado oil for coating the chicken thighs. Oil helps the seasonings stick and also makes the skins crisp up nice and golden.
- Seasoning – We season our chicken thighs with a blend of garlic powder, fresh or smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Simple, yet so delicious.
- Garnish – Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley to the cooked chicken for a pop of green.
Using Boneless Chicken Thighs?
You can use boneless chicken thighs, but you’ll need to reduce the air frying time to 12-15 minutes. Remember to flip halfway through as usual, and check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF.
How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Sometimes, the simplest recipes truly are the best. Here’s how easy it is to cook chicken thighs in the air fryer:
- Mix the Seasoning Rub – First, stir together the seasonings with olive oil.
- Prepare the Chicken – Brush the tops of the chicken with half of the seasoning blend, then flip and coat the underside. Place the chicken thighs into the basket of your air fryer, skin-side-down. Make sure to leave enough space between the thighs to allow the hot air to circulate.
- Cook – Air-fry the chicken thighs at 375ºF for 18-22 minutes (see tip below). Flip your thighs halfway through the cooking time to ensure the thighs are evenly cooked throughout.
- Rest – Lastly, transfer your cooked chicken thighs to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes to let the juices redistribute throughout the thighs before garnishing and serving.
A Note on Cooking Times
The cooking times for chicken thighs can vary depending on the size and style of your air fryer and the size of the thighs themselves. Toaster-oven-style air fryers take about 18-20 minutes, while a basket-style air fryer will take about 20-22 minutes. Check for doneness earlier as you get to know your air fryer.
Variations
This straightforward chicken thighs recipe leaves lots of room for variations. Here are some ideas to try:
- Seasoning – Change up the seasoning blend with other spices like onion powder, cayenne, Cajun spice, and fajita seasoning from our Chicken Fajitas, or even Taco Seasoning. It’s also delicious with the seasoning from our Lemon Pepper Wings.
- Herbs – Instead of parsley, sprinkle over fresh rosemary, thyme, or chopped cilantro. You can also try dried herbs like dried parsley, basil, and oregano.
How to test chicken thighs for doneness?
Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the deepest part of the chicken without touching the bone. The internal temperature should reach at least 165ºF (I prefer letting dark meat chicken go to 175˚F).
What to Serve with Chicken Thighs
Chicken dinners are on regular rotation in our house. There are so many ways to make juicy air fryer chicken into a healthy family meal:
- Salad – Serve with a fresh Caesar Salad or Macaroni Salad.
- Rice – White Rice or Risotto makes a great side dish to chicken.
- Potatoes – pair with Loaded Mashed Potatoes or Baked Potatoes.
- Vegetables – serve with a side of Corn on the Cob or Roasted Broccoli.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Whether you are marinating ahead or cooking ahead, these air fryer chicken thighs keep well. Here’s how to store them:
- Marinating Chicken in Advance: Add the thighs to a zip-top bag along with the seasoning. Give it a good shake to coat, then press out the excess air and place the sealed bag into the fridge overnight.
- Refrigerate Leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat chicken thighs either in the air fryer or covered in the oven at 350ºF until warmed throughout.
- Freeze cooked chicken thighs in an airtight, freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 2-4 months. Thaw the chicken completely in the fridge before reheating and serving.
We love using our air fryer all year round as a quick and convenient alternative to baked recipes. These air-fried chicken thighs come out so incredibly tender and full of flavor that you’ll want to make them every week!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs , (2 lbs)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Parsley chopped for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir together to make a paste.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels and set it in the basket of your air fryer or on a plate. Brush half of the seasoning mix onto the chicken then flip and brush the second side evenly. Alternatively, you can shake the chicken in a zip-top bag with the seasoning (which is great if marinating ahead). Set the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side-down.
- Air fry at 375ºF for 18-22 minutes (flipping halfway). Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF at the thickest point on an instant-read thermometer. Cook times may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken thighs (see note).
- Once cooked through, transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes then garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
The air fryer is our most-used small kitchen appliance. We love it so much we have two! If you love this recipe for air fryer chicken thighs, try these other delicious air fryer ideas:
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Baked Potato in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Easy Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
This was the best chicken!! I made it for dinner tonight and my teenage son and I both loved it. He said it was the best chicken he’s had. I followed the recipe exactly but made for 2 because I have a 4 quart air fryer. And cooked it for 22 mins just to be sure. The chicken was juicy and the skin was amazingly crispy! May need to buy a bigger air fryer so I can make so much more at a time. We love all of your recipes!! Thank you for a delicious dinner. I wish I knew how to share the picture in the review.
Awesome! I’m happy that you loved it so much. You will not be able to share some photos here but you can share them in our Facebook Group or Facebook page in the comments!
What about ovens that have air fryer functions?
Hi Tiffany! That can work too, but they will take longer since there is more space inside.
Great recipe! I have the Ninja smart cook system and added 3 minutes air broil to the 19 minute air fryer time. Perfectly crispy, my husband was so excited! Thank you!!
This recipe is perfect!! I have the Instant Vortex ClearCook Air Fryer, and I went for 20 minutes. I cooked six thighs in two batches, each for 20 min My family loved them: crispy on the outside, juicy inside!
I just got this air fryer today, and I chose your chicken thighs for my inaugural recipe to “christen” the air fryer. Who else would I trust, with reliable recipes, other than Natasha’s Kitchen? Thanks so much.
Questions: if i am making multiple batches, should I be cleaning the air fryer between batches? Also, do you ever use those parchment liners for air fryers? Why or why not?
Thank you for your great review! This recipe is juicy and will likely leave some fat and bits, I would at least give it a quick rinse or wipe using tissue between batches. I sometimes use them, if I’m doing a messy, saucy marinade, I’ll put down a parchment liner.