Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a delicious and healthy dish that is easy to make. Typically prepared with skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, and basic seasoning, they are air fried at the perfect temperature to deliver crispy and juicy chicken. This recipe is one of the best air fryer recipes that you can make, and it pairs perfectly with roasted or baked vegetables, sautéed dishes, pasta dishes, rice dishes, or any other side of your choice. The best part is that it can be made in under 30 minutes. It is perfect for both lunch and dinner.
In this recipe, I have provided easy step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer chicken thighs, and I have also shared a detailed video to simplify the cooking process. With this recipe, you can easily create a healthy and flavorful meal that your whole family will enjoy.
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What are Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a delicious and healthy dish loaded with flavors. It is usually made with bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs and simple seasonings. These Baked Chicken Thighs are one of the easy alternatives to traditional fried chicken recipes and pair great with rice, quinoa, and roasted or sauteed veggies of your choice. Plus, they can be easily made in under 30 minutes, making them a perfect choice for a quick and easy weekday dinner.
Not only do Air Fryer Chicken Thighs taste delicious, but they are also a healthier option than traditional fried chicken. With the help of the air frying technique, the chicken thighs become crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. By using little to no oil, air frying reduces the fat content of the chicken, making it a great choice for those looking to watch their calorie intake. Additionally, chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein and other essential nutrients, making them one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
To make your Air Fryer Chicken Thighs into a healthy dinner or lunch, serve them with a side of roasted or baked vegetables, such as broccoli or sweet potatoes, and a mixed green salad. This provides a balance of nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and will help you feel full and satisfied. You can also experiment with different seasonings and marinades to add more flavor to your meal without adding extra calories.
In conclusion, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make meal option for busy weeknights. By using the air frying technique, you can enjoy the crispy texture of fried chicken without the added fat and calories. So, why not give it a try and enjoy a tasty, healthy dinner that's easy to make?
Ingredients
To make these delicious Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, you'll need a few basic spices and herbs. These ingredients may already have in your kitchen or can easily find at your local grocery store. Let's take a closer look at the ingredients below:
- Chicken Thighs: This recipe calls for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which crisp up beautifully on high heat. However, you can also use skinless and boneless thighs if you prefer. Just note that the cooking time and temperature may vary accordingly.
- Spice Powders: Elevate the flavor profile of your dish with basic spices like chili, garlic, black pepper, and cumin powder.
- Herbs: While dried parsley is used in this recipe, you can also experiment with other herbs like dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, or Italian seasoning for a unique savory flavor.
- Lemon: Lemon juice adds a zesty citrus flavor to the dish.
- Fat: Olive oil is used in this recipe, but you can also use butter if you prefer a richer flavor.
- Other seasonings that work well for this recipe include cajun seasoning, chili seasoning, taco seasoning, and fajita seasoning
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs at Home?
The recipe I'm sharing with you today is for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, a delicious and healthy dish. It delivers crispy skin on the outside and juicy meat on the inside. Air frying is one of the best alternatives to traditional frying, as it allows you to enjoy your favorite foods without compromising on health. This recipe yields four servings and it comes all together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Season Chicken Thighs
- Grab the ingredients - To start, gather all the necessary ingredients. For the seasoning, you'll need a mix of your favorite spice powders, such as chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin, as well as some dried parsley and salt. For the chicken, you'll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, some fresh lemon juice, and olive oil
- Combine - To prepare the seasoning, combine all the spice powders, parsley, and salt in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside
- Season the Thighs - In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken thighs, and pour in the lemon juice and olive oil. Add the prepared seasoning and give the chicken thighs a thorough rub until everything is evenly coated. If you are not on a time crunch, let the chicken marinate in the seasoning for at least 15 minutes
Prep Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Preheat the Air Fryer - Spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking. Then set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it preheat for about 5 minutes (this may vary depending on your air fryer's instructions)
- Place the Chicken Thighs - Once the air fryer is preheated, open the basket and place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket (my basket fits all four thighs)
- Cook - Close the basket and set the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer to 15 minutes. Note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the thighs and your air fryer's settings, so always refer to the instruction manual for recipe-specific instructions
- Check - After 15 minutes, check the doneness of the thighs using a kitchen thermometer. The FDA recommends a minimum safe temperature of 165 °F for poultry. If the chicken is not yet fully cooked, you can cook it for another 3 to 5 minutes at the same temperature. (Note: You may also cook to a higher temperature according to your personal preference)
- Rest and then Serve - Once the thighs are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. Now the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are ready to serve with your favorite sides
How long to cook Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer?
To achieve the perfect balance of crispy and juicy chicken thighs, I recommend cooking them at 380°F for 15 minutes. Before cooking, it is essential to preheat the air fryer to 400°F for at least 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. While the cooking temperature can vary between 375°F - 400°F, the cooking time will depend on the size of the thighs. However, it is always essential to check the minimum safe temperature of 165°F for poultry as recommended by the FDA.
Tips
- Seasoning: To enhance the flavor of the chicken thighs, it is essential to season them with spice powders before air frying. You can experiment with different seasoning or marinade options to create a tastier dish
- Temperature: Here I have preheated the air fryer to 400°F and cooked the thighs at 380°F for 15 minutes. However, you can adjust the temperature settings to suit your preferences. It is important to follow the recipe-specific instructions for your air fryer to ensure optimal results
- Internal Temperature: For safety reasons, the FDA recommends consuming poultry at a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. However, you can also cook the chicken to a higher temperature if you prefer
- Rest - After air frying, it is important to let the chicken thighs rest inside the air fryer for a few minutes before serving. This allows all the flavors to meld together and ensures a delicious and enjoyable meal
Storage Suggestions
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs taste great when served warm to enjoy all of its crispy and juicy goodness. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. To reheat the chicken, simply place it in the air fryer or microwave and heat it until it is heated through. Reheating the thighs in the air fryer for a few minutes usually crisps up the skin again, whereas using the microwave may not achieve the same level of crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
To complement the delicious and versatile flavor of Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, consider serving them with a range of side dishes to create a satisfying and balanced meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like broccoli, carrots, asparagus, brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes is a great way to add some color and nutrients to your plate
- Potato Dishes: Roasted potato, baked potato, and mashed potato to make the meal filling
- Sauteed Dishes: Sauteed greens like spinach and kale and sauteed veggies like mushrooms, cabbage, and brussels sprouts for a healthy well rounded meal
- Rice and Grains - Quinoa, farro, brown rice, white rice, basmati rice, or jasmine rice
- Salad: A simple salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber for a refreshing meal
- Pasta Dishes: If you're in the mood for something more indulgent, serve your chicken thighs with a side of pasta. Some pasta options are, fettuccine alfredo, garlic parmesan pasta, or white sauce pasta
Related Recipes
You could also find similar chicken thighs recipes below and more at chicken and air fryer recipes.
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Fried Chicken
- Tandoori Chicken
- Chicken and Rice
- Baked Chicken and Rice
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Shrimp
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe below that I hope will help you to make a healthy meal at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs, skin-on and bone in
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, ground
- ½ tsp Dried Parsley
- ½ tsp Cumin Powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- To prepare the seasoning for the chicken thighs, start by combining all the spice powders, parsley, and salt in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside
- Next, in a large mixing bowl, add the chicken thighs and pour in the lemon juice and olive oil. Add the prepared seasoning and give the chicken thighs a thorough rub until everything is evenly coated
- Preheat your air fryer by oil-spraying the basket and setting it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes (this may vary depending on your air fryer's instructions)
- Once preheated, open the basket and place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket (my basket fits all four chicken thighs). Close the basket and set the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer to 15 minutes. Note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs and your air fryer's settings, so refer to the instruction manual for recipe-specific instructions
- Once the air fryer beeps, open the basket and check the doneness of the chicken thighs using a kitchen thermometer. The FDA recommends a safe temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for poultry. If the chicken is not yet fully cooked, you can cook it for another 3 to 5 minutes at the same temperature setting. Once the chicken thighs are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside
To Serve
- Serve your crispy and delicious Air fryer Chicken Thighs with quinoa, brown rice, and your choice of roasted vegetables, such as roasted broccoli, roasted zucchini, roasted green beans, or sautéed greens like spinach, kale, or mushrooms, for a healthy and wholesome meal
Video
Notes
- Seasoning: To enhance the flavor of the chicken thighs, it is essential to season them with spice powders before air frying. You can experiment with different seasoning or marinade options to create a tastier dish
- Temperature: Here I have preheated the air fryer to 400°F and cooked the thighs at 380°F for 15 minutes. However, you can adjust the temperature settings to suit your preferences. It is important to follow the recipe-specific instructions for your air fryer to ensure optimal results
- Internal Temperature: For safety reasons, the FDA recommends consuming poultry at a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. However, you can also cook the chicken to a higher temperature if you prefer
- Rest - After air frying, it is important to let the chicken thighs rest inside the air fryer for a few minutes before serving. This allows all the flavors to meld together and ensures a delicious and enjoyable meal
Nutrition
FAQ
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a delicious and healthy dish. It is usually made with skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs and basic seasonings. The Chicken thighs are air fried at high temperatures resulting in a tender, juicy chicken with a crispy exterior. This cooking method is a healthier alternative to traditional frying as it requires less oil, resulting in a lower calorie count and fewer unhealthy fats.
Yes, it is a healthy dish loaded with excellent sources of protein, making them a nutritious choice for any meal. You can also significantly reduce the amount of oil needed to cook the chicken, making it more nutritious compared to traditional frying.
The cooking time for chicken thighs in an air fryer will depend on their size and the desired level of doneness. I recommend cooking them at 380°F for 15 minutes. Before cooking, it is also essential to preheat the air fryer to 400°F for at least 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. While the cooking temperature can vary between 375°F - 400°F, the cooking time will depend on the size of the thighs. However, it is always essential to check the minimum safe temperature of 165°F for poultry as recommended by the FDA.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to comment, and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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