Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These air fryer chicken thighs offer irresistibly flavorful indulgence with the added benefit of the air fryer cooking method, making them a must-try dish.

Prep Time10

Fry Time25

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 38kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on (approximately 2-2½ pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish

Instructions

Place the chicken thighs onto a plate and, with a paper towel, pat dry both sides of each piece of chicken. Brush each chicken thigh with a thin coating of olive oil on both sides.
Combine the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle half the seasoning mix onto one side of the chicken thighs and flip them over to sprinkle the remaining half of the seasoning mix. Be sure that your chicken thighs are evenly coated with the seasoning mix.
Preheat the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 375°F. Once preheated, place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side down into the fryer basket. Be sure that the chicken is in a single layer with a bit of space between each piece to allow the hot air to circulate around each piece evenly while air frying.
Fry on the first side for 12 minutes, flip the chicken thighs over (skin side up), and continue frying for an additional 12-18 minutes. Be sure to check your chicken thighs for doneness at the 24-minute mark and continue to air fry in 2-3 minute increments until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow the chicken thighs to rest for 8-10 minutes before garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and serving.

Notes

These air fryer chicken thighs are easy to make and can be seasoned ahead for a minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Refrigerate the seasoned chicken thighs covered with plastic wrap. Allow the marinated chicken thighs to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before air frying to ensure the chicken cooks evenly. This is optional but allows the chicken to marinate and absorb the seasoning flavors.
The air fryer used to develop this recipe is a Cosori brand 6.8-quart. Since the sizes and power can differ from brand to brand, you will want to watch your chicken thighs as they air fry. If you have a smaller-sized fry basket, you may need to cook your chicken thighs in two batches to ensure you are not overcrowding the fryer basket.
If your chicken thigh skin gets too crispy or dry, spritz it with a little olive oil spray for the last few minutes of air frying to keep the skin moist. If you prefer crispier chicken skin, then you can omit this option.

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