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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: The Best Easy Weeknight Dinner

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These crispy golden air fryer chicken thighs are ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. The no-flip method delivers unbelievably crispy skin and juicy meat every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (5g)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels, using multiple towels to absorb as much moisture as possible.
  3. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional dried thyme or rosemary.
  4. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub evenly over each thigh. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken, turning to coat all sides.
  5. Arrange the chicken skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each thigh. Do not overlap.
  6. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 18 minutes without flipping.
  7. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 175-185°F (80-85°C) in the thickest part. If not, cook 2-3 more minutes.
  8. Optional: Flip thighs skin-side up and cook 2-3 more minutes for extra crispiness.
  9. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat the chicken completely dry for crispiest skin. Let chicken come to room temperature 15-20 minutes before cooking for even results. Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer’s hot spots. For meal prep, store in refrigerator up to 4 days and reheat in air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy weeknight dinner, no-flip chicken, gluten-free chicken, keto chicken

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-the-best-easy-weeknight-dinner/