Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Salt; ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper; 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder; 2 teaspoons Paprika; ¼ teaspoon Ground Ginger; 4 Chicken Thighs (, skinless, bone in, see note 3); Oil in Spray

Looking for easy weeknight dinner ideas? Try this air fryer chicken thighs recipe. With quick preparation and only 7 basic ingredients, this is the perfect dinner for busy families.

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Crispy air fryer chicken thighs on the plate

This air fryer chicken thighs recipe is one of the easiest ways to prepare a delicious weeknight dinner without having to be standing by the stove for ages. Serve these juicy chicken thighs with anything you like.

I have included some easy side recipes in the FAQ’s section, in case you need some inspiration.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Ingredients

How to make chicken thighs in air fryer

You will need:

Chicken thighs – bone in, skinless (or skin on)
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Ginger
Garlic powder
Oil in spray – this is not needed with skin-on thighs

Equipment and tools:

Air fryer
Small bowl & dessert spoon (or fork, knife…) – for mixing the spice rub

There are barely 3 steps to this recipe. First, mix all the seasoning in a small bowl. Then, coat each piece of chicken evenly with the mix (both sides). You should use all the seasoning for 4 thighs.

Air fryer chicken thighs are then cooked for 15-20 minutes. I also spray them with oil and turn them over halfway through the cooking time. The best temperature is 400°F (200°C).

If you are not sure that your airfryer chicken thighs are done (or any air fryer chicken recipes), I recommend using a food thermometer. Stick it in and if it reads 165°F (75°C) you can take them out and serve.

Can you stack chicken thighs in an air fryer?

Unfortunately, you can’t. The important thing to remember when cooking in an air fryer is that the food you put it should have room around it so that the air can circulate and cook it evenly.

For this reason, you might need to cook your dinner/snack or appetizers in 2 or more batches when you have a large crowd to feed.

A 5.8-quart (5.5-liter) air fryer is able to cook 4-5 chicken thighs (when making these chicken thighs in air fyer I used 4 pieces but, could have fitted one more) or 3-4 chicken breasts, dependent on their size.

Frequently asked questions:

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?

Cooking time will depend on the type of your air fryer as well as chicken thighs (larger will take longer than smaller).

Count with about 20 minutes (if you want to have a crispy skin, cook for longer).

Do you have to flip chicken in air fryer?

That depends. You don’t need to flip if it has skin on (make sure to cook it skin-side up) but if it doesn’t, then I do recommend turning it over around half-way through the cooking process.

What to make with chicken thighs?

I like serving these air fryer chicken thighs with wedge salad and parmesan roasted potatoes.

But you can serve them with anything you like: rice, orzo salad, barley risotto,…

Expert tips

Like I’ve already mentioned, it’s important that the air fryer is not overcrowded with food so it can cook evenly.
I always pre-heat my air-fryer for 2 minutes by setting the time and temperature manually. You may have a model that does the preheating by pressing a button or maybe it’s not required. Always read the manual for the best cooking results.
Seasoning – this is a simple recipe for air fryer chicken thighs using only a few ingredients. For this reason, I do not recommend omitting any of the ingredients.

If you are looking for air fryer dessert recipes, I have one for you: air fryer hand pies.

I also like ham & jalapeno air fryer pinwheels that are made with puff pastry so if you are planning on entertaining at home, you could give it a go. We love those!

More chicken recipes you might like:

Watch how to make it

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