Imagine sinking your teeth into perfectly golden, incredibly juicy chicken thighs with a crispy skin that crackles with every bite - and the best part? You can achieve restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen with minimal effort! This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe is about to become your new weeknight dinner hero, transforming ordinary chicken into a mouth-watering masterpiece that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove chicken thighs from refrigerator and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a seasoning blend.
- Brush or rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs, ensuring complete coverage.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook for 12-13 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken thighs using tongs.
- Continue cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Remove chicken thighs from air fryer and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or chives if desired.
Tips
- Always pat your chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - leave space between thighs for even air circulation.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to help redistribute juices, keeping the meat tender and moist.
- Experiment with different seasoning blends to customize the flavor profile of your chicken thighs.
- For extra crispy skin, you can lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil before air frying.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 110mg
