Print

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy Golden Crust Recipe

air fryer chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

Perfectly golden, incredibly crispy air fryer chicken thighs with juicy, tender meat. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and no deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels, pressing firmly on both sides to absorb as much moisture as possible.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne (if using). Add dried chicken thighs and toss with hands until evenly coated. Gently lift skin and rub seasoning directly onto the meat.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving about half an inch of space between each piece. Cook in batches if necessary.
  5. Air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F.
  6. Using tongs, flip each thigh so skin side is facing up. Cook for an additional 8-12 minutes, until skin is deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 175-185°F.
  7. Transfer cooked thighs to a cooling rack or plate. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken completely dry is the most important step for crispy skin. Let chicken come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before seasoning for even cooking. Do not overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed. For best results, reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://grubella.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-golden-crust-recipe/