Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
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Need an easy weeknight dinner idea? These air fryer chicken thighs are quick to prep and use 7 basic ingredients.
This is one of the easiest ways to make juicy chicken thighs without standing by the stove. Serve them with anything you like.
In a hurry? Bone-in thighs usually need 15 to 20 minutes. Flip halfway through and cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F (75°C).
What I tested: This recipe was developed in a 5.8-quart (5.5-liter) basket-style air fryer using 4 bone-in thighs (skinless) totaling about 1.5 pounds (680 grams). Your time can vary a little depending on thigh size and your air fryer model.
How to make air fryer chicken thighs
You will need:
- Chicken thighs, bone-in, skinless (or skin-on)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Ginger
- Garlic powder
- Oil spray (not needed with skin-on thighs)
Equipment and tools:
- Air fryer
- Small bowl + dessert spoon (or fork/knife) for mixing the seasoning
There are barely 3 steps to this recipe.
- Mix all the seasoning in a small bowl.
- Coat each piece of chicken evenly with the mix (both sides). Use all the seasoning for 4 thighs.
- Cook until the thickest part reaches the right temperature.
Air fryer chicken thighs are cooked at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then turned over, sprayed with oil, and cooked for another 6 to 10 minutes or until the thickest part reaches 165°F (75°C). I start with the thighs bone-side down. If you want more browning, turn them back bone-side down for the last 1 to 2 minutes.
Quick tip: If the thighs look wet, pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning. It helps the spices stick better and improves browning.
If you are not sure the chicken is done, use a food thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part without touching the bone. When it reads 165°F (75°C), you can take them out and serve.
Quick troubleshooting
- Seasoning looks pale: a light oil spray helps (especially skinless thighs).
- Browning too fast: start checking a few minutes early next time, or drop the temperature slightly.
- Not cooking evenly: avoid overlap and cook in batches.
- Smoke in the basket: wipe excess oil/grease from the bottom and avoid letting drippings burn between batches.
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 should have room around it so the air can circulate and cook it evenly.
For this reason, you might need to cook in 2 or more batches when feeding a crowd.
A 5.8-quart (5.5-liter) air fryer can usually cook 4 to 5 chicken thighs (I used 4 but could have fit one more) or 3 to 4 chicken breasts, depending on their size.
Recipe Q&A
Cooking time depends on your air fryer and the size of the thighs (larger takes longer). Count with about 20 minutes. If you want crispier results, cook a little longer, but always check doneness with a thermometer.
Boneless thighs cook faster. Start checking early and don’t rely on time alone. The thermometer is the easiest way to get them right.
That depends. You don’t need to flip if it has skin on (cook it skin-side up). If it doesn’t, I recommend turning it over halfway through the cooking time.
Yes, but they cook faster. Start checking early and don’t rely on time alone. The thermometer is still the easiest way to get them right.
Both work.
Skinless: oil spray helps the surface cook up nicely and keeps the seasoning from looking pale.
Skin-on: skip the oil spray, cook skin-side up, and give it a few extra minutes if you want more crisp.
I like serving these with wedge salad and Parmesan roasted potatoes.
You can also serve them with rice, orzo salad, barley risotto, and more.
My tips
- Like I’ve already mentioned, don’t overcrowd the air fryer. It helps everything cook evenly.
- I always preheat my air fryer for 2 minutes by setting the time and temperature manually. Your model may handle preheating differently, or it may not be needed, so check the manual.
- Seasoning: this is a simple recipe with only a few ingredients, so I don’t recommend omitting any of them.
- Want more color? A light oil spray helps, especially with skinless thighs.
- Want a cleaner read on doneness? Check the thickest thigh first and avoid touching bone with the thermometer tip.
If you are looking for air fryer dessert recipes, I have two for you: air fryer hand pies and air fryer cinnamon rolls.
I also like ham & jalapeno air fryer pinwheels made with puff pastry, so if you’re entertaining at home, give them a go.
More chicken recipes you might like
- Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Chicken Chasseur
- Crispy Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Paprikash
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
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)
- cooking oil spray
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika and ginger. Rub this onto each chicken thigh on both sides.
- Place the chicken thighs into a pre-heated air fryer bone-side down, spray with cooking oil and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Turn them over and cook for another 6 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). If you want more browning, turn them back bone-side down for the last 1 to 2 minutes.
- Serve with a side of your choice.
Video
Notes
- This recipe was developed for a 5.8-quart (5.5-liter) air fryer.
- Always make sure the chicken is cooked through. The food thermometer has to read 165°F (75°C) and it’s best to check the thickest piece.
- I used 4 chicken thighs that weighed 1.5 pounds (680 grams) in total.
- The cooking time may vary slightly. This will depend on the size of the thighs as well as on the air fryer (different brands may have slightly different cooking times).
- Cook time is usually 16 to 20 minutes, depending on thigh size and your air fryer.
- For more tips and answers to common questions, check out the full post.
I cannot believe how easy and delicious this was!! Took the skin off bone in chicken thighs 2 lbs/4 thighs… just like you said, minus the oil… used seasoning. Preheated the air fryer (best purchase of my life!) x 2 min @ 350. Both sides seasoned… 10 min, flipped, 6 minutes more… they’re GONE! Lil’ side salad, fat free dressing, and some garlic mashed potatoes-YUM-trelicious!!! Thank you for perfecting this. We work so hard and to be able to make a hot, HEALTHY, delicious & nutritious meal in minutes is amazing. They didn’t last long enough for a pic. Sorry. Maybe next time.
Thanks so much for your detailed feedback, Ellie. It always helps readers to decide whether to make a recipe or not. Thanks again :)
WOW!! We just our air fryer last week and this was my first chicken meal. Followed the recipe line by line and this may have been the juiciest, tastiest chicken I’ve had in a while. Everyone went crazy over it!
I am so happy to hear that, Tony. Thanks so much for your feedback and happy air frying! :)
Delicious!!!
Thanks for your feedback, Den.
The chicken thighs were wonderful. Crispy on the outside and the seasoning added great flavor. Will definitely make this again.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Renae!
I made it and it was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and had a delicious flavor. It will be my go-to recipe for thighs. I might even try it on legs and wings
That’s great to hear, Catole! Thanks for your feedback.
Do I spray the oil directly on the chicken before turning it?
You don’t have to do it anymore, Amber. You can also just spray the bottom of the air fryer at the beginning and that should be enough. Hope this helps!
These were great, and so simple! I used smoked paprika. Thanks for a keeper!
You are welcome, Belinda and thanks so much for your feedback and rating.
This came out really good. We added some steamed veggies (mixed) and had a really nice meal together. We’ve been trying out the Instantpot for air frying and the chicken was not only cooked through, it was moist, well braised, and had an excellent mouth feel.
My only adjustment is that next time I will use less salt in the recipe. We don’t usually add salt to food and this really was more than we really want, so next time, I’ll use 1/2 TSP instead.
Hi Rick. Thank you so much for your feedback!
This was so good
Can I leave the skin on for extra crispyness?
Yes, you can :)
Great recipe! We really enjoyed it!
Thanks for the feedback, Missy! :)
I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and it turned out wonderfully. My husband and daughter ate so much I didn’t have leftovers. Can’t wait to try something else in my Air Fryer
That’s great to hear Liz. Thanks so much for finding time to write the feedback!
This was AMAZING! Even my husband who doesn’t like chicken was a fan!
That’s amazing! Thanks so much for your feedback, Noel!
Tried the recipe and was a hit. How did you get it crispy? I can never get chicken to crisp. Thanks!
Hi Traci, the photos you see are exactly what it looked like after cooking. These kind of things don’t get crispy easily unless you leave them in the air-fryer for a very long time which in this case might cause the chicken go dry. I noticed some people like to use broiler after but I’ve never tried with these kind of recipes. In general, when you cook breaded chicken in there and spray it with oil, it will get crispy but it will never be like from a deep-fryer. Hope this helps.
Color is so great n air fried chicken do seems amazing
Thanks, Gari!
I love a nice extra crispy “fried” chicken. This recipe looks great, and I need to make it!
That’s good to hear!
The thighs cooked to perfection in 20 min. Each side. I followed the recipe with 3 TBS veg. oil, g powder, lo salt lowreys,
Thanks so for your feedback, Deb!
I really need to get an airfryer! This chicken looks so good, we eat chicken pretty much everyday in my house :)
You really do! :)
This recipe for air fryer chicken thighs looks and sounds amazing. The breading looks so crunchy and I love a good crunchy breading. Will come back to let you know ow it turned out.
Thanks Heidy!
This chicken looks so crispy and delicious! Love the spice mix you used here
Thank you, Sylvie!
These look fantastic! I keep hearing such great things about these air fryers. I really need to get one.
Thanks, Demeter! :)