Crispy-skinned, spectacularly juicy, and garlic paprika-rubbed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a no-effort recipe that earns unanimous praise and augments kitchen swagger. Quicker than the regular oven with even better results, your air fryer will quickly become your favorite way to cook chicken thighs!
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5-Star Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Of the dozens of air fryer recipes I’ve tested, these air fryer chicken thighs earned the highest honor awarded in our household: my husband requested them for dinner every week.
In fact, he called them the best chicken I’ve ever made!
Between all the ways I cook chicken—Baked Chicken Thighs, Pan-Fried Chicken Breast, and all of these healthy chicken recipes—that’s quite a statement.
I know he means it too, because, while he gets jazzed about other proteins like Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Pork Chops, chicken rarely causes a heart flutter.
(Unless it’s Air Fryer Chicken Wings, but let’s be real—that’s more about the Buffalo sauce.)
About This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
These juicy chicken thighs have everything going for them.
- The meat is juicier than you ever thought chicken could be.
- The seasoning tastes lightly smoky and complex, an ideal profile for chicken.
- The skin is so shatteringly crispy, even those who usually don’t eat chicken skin (me), will find themselves nibbling crunchy pieces.
But that’s not the end of the story.
From the cook’s perspective (that’s me and you), this fast and easy dinner is a clear winner.
- Bone-in chicken thighs cook in 16 to 20 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees F.
- You don’t need to marinade the chicken thighs before air frying.
- The rub is made from common spices you likely already have in your pantry, like paprika and garlic powder.
Air Frying Bone-In vs. Boneless Chicken Thighs
For this recipe, you can use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (I’ve included times for both), but I highly recommend using bone-in, skin-on chicken for this recipe.
- As with this Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast, Braised Chicken Thighs, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken, the skin locks in moisture, so you don’t need to spend time brining the meat for excellent results, the way you would with boneless Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
- The bone flavors the meat from within and makes it harder to overcook the chicken.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are a bargain compared to boneless.
- Chicken thighs are healthy! They don’t deserve the bad rap they sometimes get. Prepared the right way (like in the air fryer), they are an excellent, lean source of protein and contain important nutrients like zinc and iron.
How to Make Crispy Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
The Directions
- Stir the spice mixture together in a bowl.
- Pat dry the thighs with paper towel, then add them to the bowl. Coat the chicken with oil and the spices.
- Place chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees F, flip halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Let rest for 5 minutes. ENJOY! Top with fresh parsley, cilantro, or thyme.
More Ways to Season Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Garlic Paprika Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. My favorite everyday chicken thigh rub and what you’ll find below.
- Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese to your spice mixture. (I’ll have this with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, please.)
- Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice mixture.
- Brown Sugar Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to the spice mixture. (For a BBQ-like finish, serve the thighs with my scrumptious Barbecue Sauce or any bbq sauce.)
- Italian Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the spice mixture.
- Curry Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons curry powder to the spice mixture. (This would be delish with Turmeric Rice.)
- Garlic Butter Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Omit the smoked paprika, add an extra teaspoon of garlic powder, and swap the olive oil for melted butter. (Perfect for pairing with Garlic Pasta.)
- Lemon Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add zest of 1 lemon to the spice mixture. (Try this with Pasta al Limone or Lemon Rice. YUM!)
- Marinaded Chicken Thighs. This recipe includes a great chicken rub; you can also try my favorite Chicken Marinade or Chicken Thigh Marinade, or use this Dry Turkey Brine (it works for chicken too!). Be sure to pat the chicken dry prior to cooking.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the air fryer.
- To Freeze. Freeze thighs in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Up to 1 day in advance, coat the chicken thighs in the oil and spice mixture. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Potatoes. Chicken and potatoes is classic comfort. Try Oven Roasted Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Homemade Fries.
- Brussels Sprouts. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic add some nice green to the meal.
- Rice. Get a serving of whole grains with your protein via Brown Rice or Lemon Rice.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer. The air fryer I own and love!
- Instant Read Thermometer. I cannot recommend this tool enough. It’s the most foolproof way to ensure your meat is cooked through.
- Measuring Spoons. A must-have tool for measuring spices.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Video
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds), see notes to use boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Pat the chicken thighs very dry on both sides, then add to the bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then toss to coat in the spice mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side down (make sure they are not touching; if they are, cook the chicken in batches).
- Air fry the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of a thigh (but not touching bone) reaches 155°F. Set aside, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes (chicken is considered by the FDA cooked at 165°F, but the temperature will continue to rise as it rests; air fryer models differ in cooking time, so check early to be safe). Serve hot, with lemon wedges (squeeze them over the top of your serving) and sprinkled with fresh herbs.
Video
Notes
- FOR BONELESS THIGHS: Coat with the spice mixture as directed. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F, then add the chicken smooth-side down. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches 155°F on an instant read thermometer. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes (the temperature will continue to rise), then enjoy warm.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze thighs in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Quick, easy and tasted magnificent. Have already added to my favorites! Thank you
So glad you enjoyed it Lee!
I just made this recipe with chicken thighs. It tastes amazing!
I would next time reduce the salt.
I will definitely be making again.
I’m also sharing with my daughter.
Great to hear, Diane! Just a little tip, make sure to use kosher salt if you didn’t, any other salt will give it a saltier flavor than intended.
Amazing recipe! Absolutely loved it! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.
Great to hear, thank you Neeti!
Super tasty, but the skin stuck to the pan. Was it too wet?
Glad you enjoyed it, Sue! It sounds like you would need to spray your pan if it sticks. I do not have this problem, but all pans are different.
Such a great recipe! Easy and delicious! I usually use boneless chicken thighs and cook them for 13min total. I’ve already made several times and it’s a hit each time!
Thank you Sarah!
This was a winner as is all your recipes. Our air firer only took 10 minutes to get to 165. It was a Ninja but like ovens, no two are the same
Thank you Timothy!
This was really pretty easy and so good! What flavor. Family actually told me to ‘put a heart’ on this recipe. Yummmmm!
Thank you so much, Tracy!
We have made many of the recipes from here in the past (one of my go to’s ;) ) but the first time I’ve posted. All have been wonderful, but when even I …someone who does not care for chicken skin (made recipe as is + 1/4 tsp chipotle chili pwd)… ate all of it i felt I had to post. THANK YOU! We are now trying to figure out how to not make it every night LOL!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Ingrid! Thank you!
My go to air fryer thighs once a week. Perfection every time
Thank you !
Yay! Thank you Coleen!
Love this recipe , the chicken turned out crispy on the outside and moist and delicious . 💕thanks for sharing
Thank you Vanessa! Glad you enjoyed it!
In the Notes for boneless thighs, what do you mean about adding the thighs “smooth side” down for cooking? Does this mean skin side up in other words? TIA!
Hi Anne, it’s normally the side with the skin. Hope this helps!
Crispy, juicy, well seasoned, easy, delicious!
Thank you Ross!
I just made bone in chicken thighs, they were awesome. I added the 2 teaspoons of curry powder to the mixture. They turned out so good. Will definitely make again. This was the perfect amount of spice, my husband loved it.
Great to hear, thank you Sue!
Perfect thighs! Tasty and tender. Much better using the skin-on, bone-in type.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Joan! Thank you!
This is an absolutely fabulous, no-fail, no-sweat recipe. Every crumb has been licked up every time I have made it. I love the variations.
Love to hear that, thank you Smita!
Such a simple and easy spice blend that yields the most moist and delicious air fryer chicken. I’m not normally a fan of chicken thighs but I seriously eat these often. I highly recommend !
Thank you so much, Deb!