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These are addictive, and they’re quick and easy in the air fryer. I only had 10 minutes to marinate them, but they were fabulous. Thanks for another winner!
Laura B
These Chicken Thighs Are a New House Favorite!
Guys, I’ve been holding myself back from making these chicken thighs every single night. They’re so good. They go with almost anything, they’re extra juicy and crisped, and the kids and adults in my family BOTH approve!
I love them with so many things:
- roasted potato wedges and a cucumber salad
- a creamy pasta
- a wrap, sandwich, or salad
- a baked potato and some roasted veggies
- just eating straight with a side of your favorite sauce! (all my favorite sauces here!)
The chicken is so so flavor-crusted and so finger-licking yummy that I still can hardly believe you can make it in the air fryer.
I have to fight my kids not to eat it all off the cutting board before it even makes it to the table.
If you’ve made our air fryer chicken breasts (also amazing), the flavor on these chicken thighs is more savory. The OG chicken breast recipe has a brown sugar and smoked paprika base, whereas this one has paprika, garlic and onion, and a bit of oregano.
I have been LOVING these with a smoky paprika aioli (I’ll include that in the recipe notes – it is so yummy). I am making myself hungry just thinking about it.
Hope you guys love it!
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
1
Trim Chicken Thighs.
Optional, but I often cut off any little bits of fat that are on the edges of the chicken thighs.
2
Toss with Spices!
Get those chicken thighs totally coated! Like so.
3
Air Fry for 11-13 Minutes.
Place in a single layer in the air fryer to cook evenly!
4
It’s done!
Do a quick temp check – the inside should reach a minimum of 165 degrees (I use this meat thermometer to check).
5
Cut and Serve!
My daughter and my husband couldn’t wait for me to finish the photos. 🙂 I like to chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and squeeze a bit of lemon over the whole thing! So yummy.
How To Make These Chicken Thighs (Video)
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These air fryer chicken thighs are SO good. Super juicy, deeply golden, and ready in 15 minutes! Such an easy recipe that my whole family loves.
Ingredients
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (I’ve been using a fine-grained table salt for this)
- a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- squeeze of lemon to finish
Instructions
- Trim the Chicken Thighs: Optional, but I usually cut off the little bits of fat (the chunkier white strips) from the edges of the chicken thighs.
- Season the Chicken: Toss the chicken thighs with the spices and olive oil. For the best flavor, let it marinate anywhere from 15 minutes to 2-3 hours in the fridge. (Also fine to skip if you’re short on time!)
- Air Fry Chicken: Air fry at 375 for 11-13 minutes, until deeply golden and a bit crisped on the outside, and at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside. (I use a meat thermometer to check!)
- Slice Chicken: Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Let it rest for a few minutes; cut into bite-sized pieces. Squeeze lemon over the top if you want.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite sauce (see notes for a smoky aioli that I love), baked potato or roasted veggies, in a rice bowl, or on a salad!
Notes
Smoky Paprika Aioli (my current favorite sauce with this): Whisk 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 clove freshly grated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons water, 1/4 teaspoon salt (more to taste).
Yes You Can Make This in the Oven: Place an oven rack in the top third of your oven, so it’s near-ish to the top. Arrange chicken on a quarter sheet pan (you can line it with foil for easier clean up). Bake chicken thighs at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then broil on low for 3-5 more minutes, until browned on the outside and at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature.
Spice Coverage on The Chicken: Every package of chicken thighs is a slightly different size, so if your package is 1.5 pounds or more (or if you love a lot of spices), you may want to add a few extra shakes of spices to get more complete spice coverage!
Preheating the Air Fryer: I do not preheat my air fryer. I just put the chicken in, turn the air fryer on, and then make sure to use a meat thermometer to check that it’s completely cooked.
Lining the Air Fryer: I also don’t line the air fryer basket with anything. I just put the chicken thighs directly onto the grill grate.
Flipping the Chicken: I also do not flip the chicken thighs halfway through. I’ve tried it, but I like the texture better with just the top being crispy and the underside being a bit juicy. If you think you want both the top and bottom to be crisped up a bit, you can air fry for 8-9 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes to get both sides a bit crisped.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer chicken, air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer recipe
Frequently Asked Questions For This Recipe
Yes! I would suggest cutting them horizontally into thinner pieces (follow the directions in this recipe) and then air frying them at 375 for 9-10 minutes.
Yes! Bake on a small sheet pan at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To get extra browning on the chicken thighs, turn on the broil setting for the last few minutes of cooking and move the pan closer to the top of the oven.
I would not recommend using frozen chicken thighs.
I don’t. I just put the chicken right in, turn the air fryer on, and then make sure to use a meat thermometer to check that it’s completely cooked.
When it reaches 165 degrees, you’re good to go! This is the thermometer I use. (affiliate link) I use this thing all the time. Highly recommend.
I use both avocado oil and olive oil.
This is my favorite air fryer! The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL. (affiliate link) Love this for so many recipes!
These chicken thighs are the best and have the perfect blend of spices. I often make several batches and freeze the fully cooked chopped thighs to use in easy recipes. My go-to way to cook chicken thighs! Thank you!
Absolutely the best chicken I’ve ever made. Used the grill instead of the air fryer. 10/10
I have a bunch of chicken I wanted to do this with. Do you think I could make a bunch and then freeze it when needed? Would I have to do anything different?
Definitely!
Wow! Big hit – first time air frying chicken for me! Had little notice for unexpected company and needed something fast! Delicious, so moist and crispy outside. Served with lettuce, rice, some toppings and your Very Awesome Basil Sauce. My daughter took her first bite, looked up and said, “YUM!”
So yummy!! Easy, delicious, going into the rotation immediately. Even my toddler ate these “chicken nuggets”. Thank you for sharing.
The chicken was delicious and the sauce heavenly. I used the same sauce on fajitas this evening using the leftover chicken along with onions, peppers, etc. I will make that sauce regularly.
This chicken thigh recipe is so so good! Been making it like crazy. I’ve started to used different variations of spices to mix it up. Also follow you on IG. Love when you rate food you’ve cooked. Thanks!
Excellent dish! So easy to make; accompanying aioli complemented the chicken well. A few observations: one Costco pkg of boneless, skinless chicken thighs was enough for the spice mix; putting a liner in the air fryer did not control the grease; marinated for two hours; fried 8 min one side and 6 min other side. Thank you for an easy weeknight recipe!
We loved this! Will be making this very often, along with the delicious aioli dip! Thank you!
I never comment on recipe posts, but I had to on this one. This chicken recipe is so delicious and was loved by my entire family! We make it weekly and my boys are always asking for more!
Lived up to the hype!! Even my two year old had multiple helpings. We did the smoked paprika sauce with it—divine. Will make again!
Perfect, quick, flavorful, and easy! I followed the recipe exactly and made the aoili, too. My family & I loved it. Will definitely be making again!
This is delicious! Definitely going to be our new favorite recipe for chicken thighs.
This was so easy and flavourful! It is regular rotation now. Makes excellent leftovers if you can save some 😉
This was such a good main for a weekday meal that is so versatile, flavorful, and kid friendly! Loved the smoky paprika aioli with it too!
Great flavor, chicken was very tender. Will definitely go on repeat, so quick and easy. Made the Smokey Paprika Aioli, couldn’t believe how flavorful for such a simple recipe. Drizzled on my roasted Brussels Sprouts too .
I’ve made this 3x. My daughter really loves it. I’ve never had time to marinate and it turns out great. I’ve served with rice and your avocado cucumber salsa. It’s great bc it’s so fast and my daughter takes it leftover for her lunches.
Made this tonight for dinner and it was so good, and super easy. The chicken came out so juicy and flavorful. This will definitely go into regular rotation at our house
Glad it was enjoyed!
Loved it, thank you!
I was skeptical this would be as good as the reviews said because of how simple the seasoning is but this was SO GOOD. We loved it and it’s so easy. This will definitely be in our regular dinner rotation!
This was so easy and SO good, my gosh! So happy to have found this, thank you! Any advice for reheating leftovers?
A few minutes at 350 in the air fryer, or you can reheat in the microwave!
Thank you so much! We had this again last night. Obsessed
Okay. Wow. These were so easy, and the flavor was unreal for being so simple. And can we talk about that sauce?!! It’s restaurant level good!
Hi, did you use greek yogurt or regular yogurt for the sauce? Thanks!
greek yogurt!
Can I marinate them for even longer? As in prep them before work (6am) and not make them until dinner time?
Definitely!
I wish I could give this recipe more stars. It is SOOOO good. Perfectly seasoned and so juicy. And that aioli sauce makes it next level!! Adding it to my weekly rotation for my fam. I could literally eat it every day.
Great to hear, Holly!