If you’re looking for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken thighs without all the fuss of frying, this Air-Fried Chicken Thighs recipe is the one for you! With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll get perfectly crisp, golden skin and tender, juicy chicken, all in under 30 minutes!
Serve this crazy delicious fried chicken dish with Crock Pot Baked Beans and fresh Pineapple Slaw for a flavor-packed weeknight meal.
In This Post
The first time I made chicken thighs in my air fryer, I wasn’t sure they’d turn out as crispy as fried. But one bite, and y’all, my mind was changed when I had these beautifully browned, perfectly cooked chicken thighs. The best part? It’s a healthier option that doesn’t skimp on flavor!
Craving more air fryer goodness? You’ll find tons of ideas and delicious dishes in my collection of Amazing Air Fryer Recipes.
Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe
- Crispy Skin Without the Extra Oil: The air fryer circulates hot air around the chicken, giving it a crisp, golden skin without needing a deep fryer or lots of oil.
- Quick and Easy: In just 30 minutes, you can have a dinner on the table that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
- Versatile and Delicious: This recipe works for weeknight meals, casual get-togethers, or even meal prepping for the week!
- Perfect for Entertaining: Whether feeding a crowd or keeping things small and cozy, these chicken thighs are a hit every time I serve them.
What You Need To Make The Best Air Fried Crispy Chicken Thighs
- Bone in/skin on chicken thighs.
- A Southern Soul House Seasoning.
- Lemons and fresh parsley – optional.
Donya’s Tips For The Best Air Fried Chicken
- Pat the Chicken Dry: Before adding your seasoning, make sure to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. This helps the skin crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
- Don’t Skip the Flip: Halfway through cooking, flip the chicken thighs over to ensure even cooking and crispy skin on both sides.
- Give It Some Space: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you’re cooking for a crowd, do it in batches so that the air can circulate around each piece.
- Let It Rest: Once the chicken is done, let it rest for 4-5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, making every bite tender and juicy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfectly Cooked Chicken Thighs
- Trim extra skin from chicken thighs. Sprinkle both sides with house seasoning.
- Place chicken thighs, skin side down, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 360 degrees. Cook on one side for 10 minutes, flip the chicken, and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest then garnish with extra salt, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.
Cooking Temperatures and Timing:
Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F for safe eating.
Set the air fryer to 375°F for 20-25 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs with skin on. If using boneless chicken thighs, adjust the cooking time to 15-20 minutes.
Commonly Asked Questions
You can use boneless/skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray before seasoning to help with browning and flavor.
Definitely! Veggies like baby potatoes sliced bell peppers, or carrots can be cooked in the air fryer at the same time. Just make sure not to overcrowd the basket and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Pop the chicken thighs back into the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F. This will crisp the skin and heat the chicken without drying it out.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?
I turn to this recipe anytime I need something easy yet impressive for dinner or want to wow my guests without spending all evening in the kitchen.
- Classic Comfort Meal: Serve with stuffed baked potatoes, skillet green beans, and a side of cornbread.
- Lighter Option: Pair with a crisp garden salad and roasted butternut squash for a balanced dinner.
- Entertaining Made Easy: Arrange on a platter with air fryer chicken wings, fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and a few dipping sauces—like honey mustard, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, and spicy mayo so that guests can mix and match. With a side of fries, it’s an easy way to impress without a lot of fuss!
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 bone in/skin on chicken thighs
- 1 ½ tablespoons House Seasoning – recipe below
Instructions
- Trim extra skin from chicken thighs. Sprinkle both sides with house seasoning.
- Place chicken thighs, skin side down in air fryer basket. Set temperature to 360 degrees. Cook on one side for 10 minutes, flip chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with additional salt, parsley and a squeeze of lemon is desired.
A Southern Soul House Seasoning Mix
- Mix together 8 tablespoons Kosher salt, 3 tablespoons pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons paprika. Keep in a sealed jar or zip top bag.
Notes
- Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F for safe eating.
- Set the air fryer to 375°F for 20-25 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs with skin on. If using boneless chicken thighs, adjust the cooking time to 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
Want To Know More About Air Frying?
If you are new to cooking with an Air Fryer or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using the Air Fryer like a pro!
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Thank you so much for air fryer cooking instructions. They are more thorough than instructions that come with.
You are so welcome!
~Donya
I made this air fryer chicken for the first time. I used the Southern Soul house seasoning mix. It seemed like it made the chicken way too salty. I used 1 1/2 tblsp. of the seasoning. Do you think I can use less with similar results? The chicken was very juicy and flavorful!
Hey Karen.
Yes, just adjust the seasoning to your liking. Glad the “process” worked. The air fryer is the best!
~Donya