These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned with garlic and flavorful herbs and cooked until the skin is nice and crispy. They’re super easy to make in less than 30 minutes and always come out tender and juicy! Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
PIN HERE for later and follow my boards on Pinterest for more easy recipe ideas!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
There’s something so special about a crispy chicken thigh that explodes with flavor and tenderness in every bite. It’s a family meal that everyone looks forward to! This simple Air Fryer Chicken Thigh recipe will set a new standard for this beloved dish at your dinner table.
The seasonings not only add flavor, but they also bring out the beautiful taste of the chicken itself. All you need is garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper! And this tempting chicken dinner is completely gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, Whole30 and low-carb/keto. Prepare to fall in love!
Looking for more ways to spice up your chicken? Use our Chicken Marinade with 6 delicious flavors next!
Why Use an Air Fryer for Chicken Thighs
You may be wondering how it’s possible to cook chicken that has an ultra crispy skin, but stays super juicy and tender on the inside. The anwswer is the Air Fryer! Not only does it excel at cooking the chicken, but it’s also a much healthier process than traditional methods of frying.
The Air Fryer reduces calorie content by up to 80%, and air-fried food contains far less fat than its pan-fried counterparts. Plus, there’s no aimless loitering by the stove or close contact with hot oil. So grab out your Air Fryer and go make this delicious fried chicken!!!
Don’t have chicken thighs? Try our Air Fryer Drumsticks, Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or Air Fryer Chicken Breast next!
Recipe Ingredients
The simplicity of fried chicken thighs is not lost on this recipe. In fact, it makes them easier than ever! Here’s the short and sweet list of ingredients you’ll need:
- Chicken Thighs: 4-6, about 1 pound of chicken.
- Avocado Oil: Or olive oil.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
- Garlic & Onion Powders: We use half a teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder.
- Smoked Paprika: optional but adds an extra kick of flavor, If you don’t have smoked paprika, cayenne pepper will work as well,
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
After you season your chicken thighs, the Air Fryer takes care of the rest. Follow this quick-fix recipe and watch the video below to see how easy!
- Heat Air Fryer: If your Air Fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 390°F.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken dry on both sides with paper towels. Drizzle with oil, then sprinkle evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika.
- Place Chicken in Air Fryer: Working in batches (depending on the size of your Air Fryer), place the thighs in the Air Fryer basket, skin-side down, in a single layer, making sure they’re not crowding or overlapping.
- Cook: Air fry the chicken at 390°F for 10 minutes.
- Flip & Finish Cooking: After 10 minutes, open the Air Fryer basket and use tongs to flip the thighs over. Continue to cook the chicken for another 12-15 minutes (or longer), until it’s no longer pink and the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle the chicken thighs with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve.
Tips for Success
Before you get cooking, be sure to check out our recipe tips and tricks below!
- Start Skin-Side Down: Don’t forget to place your chicken thighs in the Air Fryer skin-side down. This will help the protein caramelize, which means extra crispy skin!
- Work in Batches: Unless your Air Fryer is large enough to cook all of the chicken at once with plenty of room, work in batches. Overcrowding makes for less crispy chicken and can result in uneven cooking.
- Season to Taste: Our family is obsessed with how this chicken is seasoned, and yours should be too! The amounts or types of seasonings you use can be adjusted according to your tastes.
- Check Internal Temperature: As always, the best way to figure out whether or not your chicken is finished cooking is by using an instant read meat thermometer. Once the chicken registers at 165°F, it’s done!
Serving Suggestions
Fried chicken tastes great with just about anything, but there are a few sides that go exceptionally well with this recipe. Try them out and find your favorite match!
- Pair with Veggie Fries: Regular french fries are definitely tasty, but these Crispy Asparagus Fries are on another level! They’re super easy to make and much healthier than classic fries.
- Serve with Rice: Whether you cut up your chicken and mix it into your favorite rice or serve the thighs alongside a bright and summery bowl of Pineapple Fried Rice, you’re bound to have a deliciously wholesome dinner!
- Pair with Smashed Potatoes: A heaping plate of Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Pesto tastes wonderful alongside Air Fryer chicken! It’s guilt-free comfort food that’s also fun to make.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover chicken thighs should be wrapped well or kept in an airtight container and refrigerated. Make sure they’re completely cool before you store them. Reheat your chicken in the microwave or the Air Fryer within 4 days.
To warm up your chicken thighs in the Air Fryer, preheat it to 350°F, if needed. Cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes, and enjoy!
Can I Freeze Extras?
Yes! These chicken thighs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply wrap them well in two layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Want more yummy Air Fryer dishes to try? I have plenty!
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned with garlic and flavorful herbs and cooked until the skin is nice and crispy. They're super easy to make in less than 30 minutes and always come out tender and juicy! Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
- 4 chicken thighs , about 1 lb
- 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt or kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or cayenne pepper) , optional but adds an extra kick of flavor
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish
If your Air Fryer requires preheating, preheat to 390°F, as needed.
Pat the chicken dry on both sides with paper towels. Drizzle with oil then sprinkle evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Working in batches (depending on the size of your Air Fryer), place the thighs in the Air Fryer basket, skin side down, in a single layer, making sure they are not crowding or overlapping.
Cook at 390 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, open the Air Fryer basket and use tongs to flip the drumsticks. Continue to cook for another 12-15 more minutes (or longer), until no longer pink and the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Recipe Video
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover chicken thighs should be wrapped well or kept in an airtight container and refrigerated. Make sure they're completely cool before you store them. Reheat your chicken in the microwave or the Air Fryer within 4 days.
To warm up your chicken thighs in the Air Fryer, preheat it to 350°F, if needed. Cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes, and enjoy!
How to freeze:
Wrap any leftover chicken well in two layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in freezer-safe containers. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Leave a Comment