Go Back

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs with crackly, golden-brown skin are achieved by circulating hot air at 400°F for crisping in minimal time. Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay juicy inside while spices and oil form a paprika-forward crust.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
rest 5 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken thighs
  • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs Pat completely dry for best crisping.
Seasoning and oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil Helps spices adhere and promotes browning.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Serving
  • 1 Lemon wedges and fresh parsley for serving Use to finish right before eating.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels so the skin can crisp.
  2. Rub the chicken with olive oil, then mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper and rub thoroughly all over the chicken.
Air fry
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes to start the crisping immediately.
  2. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
  3. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip to skin-side up.
  4. Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 more minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the chicken thighs for 5 minutes to help juices settle, then serve with lemon wedges and parsley.

Notes

For the crispiest, crackly skin, start with very dry thighs and avoid overlapping in the basket. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 375°F until hot to help re-crisp. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a lower-sodium option, reduce salt to 1/4 tsp and use a salt-free seasoning blend for the rest.