Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe delivers perfectly crispy, flavorful chicken with minimal effort. Marinated in a smoky paprika spice blend and cooked in the air fryer for a quick and healthier alternative to traditional frying, these juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs come out tender inside and crispy on the outside, making for an easy weeknight dinner or casual gathering favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mix
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 to 2 ½ pounds)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the paprika, smoked paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin gets crispy during cooking. Toss the chicken thighs with the spice mixture and drizzle the olive oil over them, coating each piece evenly.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even cooking temperature and optimal crispiness.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure the pieces are not touching each other; cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent crisping.
- Air Fry Chicken: Air fry the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process so both sides become nicely browned. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 155°F (68°C) in the thickest part of the chicken.
- Rest and Finish Cooking: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. During this time, the temperature will rise to a safe 165°F (74°C), and the juices will redistribute making the meat tender and juicy.
- Serve: Serve the air fried chicken thighs hot, garnished with lemon wedges and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, for a bright and fresh touch.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to achieve extra crispy skin.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs and your specific air fryer model.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and perfect doneness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
