Name: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 large chicken thighs (bone in, skin on); 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 2 Tablespoons chicken seasoning

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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

Almost no one has time for complicated, time-consuming dinners these days. With this recipe, you’ll have a delicious meal on your table in less than 30 minutes! And the best part? By using the air fryer, clean up is quick and hassle-free!

Why not round out your meal by making Air Fryer Baked Potatoes? Don’t forget to make your own Chicken Seasoning for this recipe!

Reader Review

I like it very much, a good as well as quick meal.

– William Bates

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

Skill Level: This recipe is quick and easy; perfect for beginners or anyone short on time.
Total Time: These air fryer chicken thighs are ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!
Variations: For a healthier version of this recipe, you can remove the skin from your chicken thighs, although it will impact the dish’s overall taste and texture. Alternatively, you can opt to use chicken breasts instead, just be sure to adjust the cooking time as chicken breasts cook faster than thighs.
Tools For This Recipe: To complete this recipe, you will need an air fryer, a pair of tongs, as well as a pastry or basting brush.

Four pieces of seasoned and roasted chicken garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges are arranged on a white rectangular plate.

What You’ll Need for Ingredients

Chicken Thighs: You can use skin on, bone in chicken thighs, or boneless and skinless thighs. If you are looking for a healthier option for this recipe, skinless chicken thighs are the more sensible option. However, if you choose this, keep in mind the skin holds a lot of flavor as well as texture when cooked, so removing it will negatively impact the dish’s overall taste and texture. Karlynn’s Tip: If you want to use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but still want the crunch of crispy skin, use skin-on breasts and lessen the cook time so they stay nice and juicy!

Olive Oil: No need for anything fancy here! A regular olive oil works well to help crisp the skin and adhere the seasoning to the meat. Don’t have any? That’s okay! Karlynn’s Tip: You can easily substitute it with any neutral flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil.

Four raw chicken thighs on a wooden cutting board lined with parchment paper, next to a bowl of olive oil, a bowl of mixed spices, fresh parsley, and a white cloth with red stripes on a marble surface.

Chicken Seasoning: Mix up your own blend, or use store-bought seasoning. Homemade Chicken Seasoning lets you control salt, spice levels, and herb choices, giving your chicken a personal touch. Karlynn’s Tip: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings! Some people prefer simple salt and pepper, while others like it spicy! Season your chicken whichever way you want!

Side Dishes: There are a number of quick, healthy, and delicious side dishes you can have with your chicken thighs! You can whip up some Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries in the same amount of time as your thighs. If you’re looking to add a superfood to your meal, try Air Fryer Kale Chips to add some extra crunch to your meal.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

Four raw chicken thighs on a cutting board are being patted dry with a paper towel. Fresh parsley, a bowl of oil, seasoning, and a checkered kitchen towel are nearby on a marble countertop.

Four raw chicken thighs are lined on a wooden cutting board covered with parchment paper. A hand uses a blue brush to coat them with oil. Fresh parsley, a small bowl of oil, and a towel are nearby on the counter.

Preheat your air fryer.
Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towel, then brush the chicken thighs well with oil.
Season both sides with the chicken seasoning, or your seasoning of choice.
Place thighs into the air fryer, skin side down and cook for 12 minutes.
Flip them over and cook for another 13 minutes, until golden brown, crispy, and internal temperature reads a minimum of 165° in the center.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and your favorite cooked vegetables.
Enjoy!

A fork holds a juicy, seasoned piece of cooked chicken above a plate with more chicken and vegetables in the background. The focus is on the fork and chicken, showing its tender texture.

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Don’t Overcrowd Your Basket: Air fryers rely on the hot air circulating around the food to cook it evenly and crisp it up. If the chicken thighs are touching or stacked, it can prevent them from crisping up nicely, and potentially lead to them cooking unevenly. Cook in batches if you need to, just be sure to keep a little bit of space between each piece of chicken.
Check for Doneness with a Thermometer: Cooking times are a good guideline, but every air fryer cooks slightly different. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures the meat is safe to eat while keeping it juicy and tender.
Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after taking it out of the air fryer. Doing this allows the juices to be reabsorbed by the muscle fibers, preventing them from pooling on your plate while eating.

A plate with a piece of seasoned, roasted chicken and a side of sautéed broccoli, zucchini, and yellow bell peppers, served on stacked white plates. Another plate and a bowl of vegetables are in the background.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftovers (or like to meal prep), storing your air fryer chicken thighs is easy!

Refrigerating: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days after cooking.

Freezing: Wrap individual thighs in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container and keep for up to 3 months.

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are a great way to get a crispy on the outside, tender on the inside baked potato without needing to heat up your oven!
Looking for something new to try in your air fryer? Try Zesty Ranch Air Fryer Fish Fillets!
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are a great way to add a nutritious vegetable to your meal with minimal mess!

There you have it! Quick, crispy, and hassle free, these air fryer chicken thighs are perfect for a busy weeknight or any time you want a low-effort, highly delicious meal.

Give them a try, and be sure to let me know what you think in the comments below. You all know how much I love hearing about your adventures in the kitchen!

Happy cooking!

Karlynn