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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe – Best Easy Dinner

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Golden, impossibly crispy chicken thighs with juicy meat, made in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (or 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano (optional, for herby twist)
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels until the skin feels tacky, not wet.
  2. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and baking powder. Mix well.
  3. Place dried chicken thighs in a mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle seasoning mixture over chicken and toss again, rubbing with hands to ensure even coverage.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Arrange seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, ensuring they are not touching. Cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Cook for 12 minutes. The skin should start turning golden brown and fat should render.
  7. Flip chicken thighs using tongs so skin side is facing up. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 175-185°F (80-85°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part, avoiding the bone.
  8. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve hot.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is the most important step for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. For best results, cook to 175-185°F internal temperature. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes to restore crispiness. For a convection oven alternative, bake at 400°F on a wire rack for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken, keto chicken, air fryer recipe

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