Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

We especially love using the air fryer to cook chicken thighs because it makes the skin super crispy and golden brown while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Plus, you get dinner on the table faster and there’s less cleanup, too!

For more easy air fryer recipes, try our Air Fryer Chicken Legs.

Why Our Recipe

No marinade or brine, so you get super juicy chicken in only 30 minutes!
The air fryer won’t heat up your whole kitchen and makes cleanup a breeze.
Use our simple, flavorful seasoning blend or experiment with some of our other options.

This recipe uses a simple rub of basic seasonings, which you probably already have in your pantry! This seasoning blend is such a staple because you get a great, savory flavor without being too spicy or bland. And what’s even better, you don’t have to marinate the chicken to get that perfect juiciness and flavor. Air fryers use hot air that circulates around the food to cook it, which means you get extra crispy food and the cook time is typically much shorter, which means your food is less likely to dry out!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make air fryer chicken thighs.

Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe. You can use boneless skinless, but you won’t get that delicious crispy skin.
Olive Oil: This is essential to help crisp up the skin. Use any neutral cooking oil like avocado or vegetable oil.
Herbs and Spices: Our blend of paprika, garlic and onion powder, dried oregano, basil, salt and black pepper is a great all-purpose seasoning.

Skinless Chicken Thighs

With skin, people either love it or hate it, and there are pros and cons to both. Cooking skinless chicken thighs will result in a slightly different texture, but they will still be delicious and flavorful. It’s also a great option for those looking for a leaner protein source. Simply follow the recipe as directed, but rub your oil and spices directly on the meat, rather than the skin.

Pro Tip

Once the chicken is done cooking, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the chicken even more juicy and flavorful.

Air Fryer Tips

Preheat: Make sure to preheat the air fryer for at least 5 minutes before adding the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F to 175°F.

Use a Liner: Cleaning up is a breeze if you use air fryer parchment liners. Less scrubbing, more enjoying. Just be sure to use liners designed for the air fryer so that it has the little holes that allow for air flow.

Don’t Overcrowd: Give your food some breathing room in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer isn’t huge, cook in batches—it’s worth it for those perfectly golden results. And don’t forget to toss or shake everything halfway through so it all cooks nice and evenly.

Keep an Eye on Things: Air fryers work fast, and nobody wants overcooked chicken. Use a meat thermometer if you can (to reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F) and check on things toward the end so you nail that perfect doneness.