Air Fryer Chicken Thighs | Cookies & Cups

By: Shelly
Posted: Nov 4, 2024

These air fryer chicken thighs cook to seasoned, crispy perfection in just 30 minutes! It’s a quick and easy chicken recipe, and super versatile. Change up the flavors and spices any way you’d like.

Looking for more chicken thigh recipes? Try this flavor-packed honey chipotle skillet chicken!

Close up of air fryer chicken thighs on a platter.

Why I Love These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These juicy, crispy air fryer chicken thighs are easy to cook and so versatile! I regularly use my air fryer on weeknights, and this quick chicken recipe is one of my family favorites. Here’s why:

Simple cooking method. The air fryer might just be the easiest way to cook chicken. I use it to make everything from chicken tenders to popcorn chicken and the juiciest crispy chicken thighs. It’s quick, mess-free, and practically foolproof.
Perfectly seasoned. All you need is 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to make an easy chicken seasoning. The flavors are garlicky, smoky, and delicious.
So crispy. These boneless chicken thighs crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. The high heat circulates as they cook, browning the outside into a golden crust while the inside of the chicken stays juicy.

Ingredients for air fryer chicken thighs with text labels overlaying each ingredient.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are some ingredient notes to get you started with the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below the post for the printable list along with measurements and recipe details.

Chicken Thighs – I use boneless, skin-on chicken thighs. If you use bone-in chicken thighs, you’ll need to increase the cooking time.
Olive Oil – Or your choice of cooking oil.
Seasonings – I season my chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika (sweet or smoked), salt, and pepper. Feel free to use your favorite chicken seasoning blend, either homemade or store-bought.

How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

If you’re just getting acquainted with your air fryer, I have a handy guide on how to use an air fryer that might be helpful. You’ll be a pro in no time! Here’s how to make juicy air fryer boneless chicken thighs, and you’ll find the printable instructions in the recipe card.

Seasonings added to chicken thighs in a bowl. — Add the chicken thighs and seasonings to a bowl.

Chicken thighs covered in seasoning in a large bowl. — Add the chicken thighs and seasonings to a bowl.

Prep the chicken. Using your hands, massage the oil and seasonings into the chicken until it’s evenly coated.

Four seasoned uncooked chicken thighs arranged inside the air fryer. — Add the chicken to the air fryer.

Four cooked chicken thighs inside the air fryer. — Add the chicken to the air fryer.

Cook. Place the seasoned chicken thighs into the air fryer skin side down. Cook at 390ºF for 10 minutes, flip, and cook for another 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
Rest and serve. Let the chicken rest outside of the air fryer for 5 minutes to let the juices redistribute. Enjoy!

Oven Method

If you don’t have an air fryer, these chicken thighs turn out great in the oven, too. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 35-45 minutes at 400ºF. You can also check out my Instant Pot chicken thighs for another easy cooking method.

Tips and Variations

If you’re using bone-in chicken thighs, you’ll need to increase the air frying time by about 2 minutes per side.
Avoid non-stick cooking sprays. Do NOT use PAM and other non-stick sprays on the air fryer, as they’ll smoke and may damage the basket. This chicken has enough oil that it doesn’t need it anyway.
How to tell when chicken thighs are done: These air fryer chicken thighs are done when the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reads 175ºF on an instant-read thermometer. Check the temperature at the thickest part of the chicken.
Change the seasonings. You can season this chicken with any blend of spices you’d like. Try Cajun seasoning or blackened seasoning for a bit of kick, or you can use Italian seasoning.

An air fryer chicken thigh served next to mashed potatoes on a plate, with a bowl of salad and a platter of chicken thighs in the background.

Close up of a chicken thigh cut into slices next to mashed potatoes on a plate.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Refrigerate. Leftover air fryer chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Reheat. Reheat the chicken thighs in a 350ºF oven, or return them to the air fryer until they’re hot throughout.
Freeze. Freeze leftover chicken for up to 2 months, and thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Description

These air fryer chicken thighs cook to seasoned, crispy perfection in just 30 minutes! Change up the flavors and spices any way you’d like.

1 3/4 pounds boneless chicken thighs, about 4 medium thighs (skin on or skinless)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Preheat your air fryer to 390ºF.
Place the chicken thighs in a medium bowl and pour the olive oil on top. Sprinkle the spices on top of the chicken, then use your hands to make sure both sides are evenly coated with oil and spices.
Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket (no wire rack), skin side down. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook skin side up for another 10-12 minutes. The chicken is done when the skin is crispy and the internal temperature registers 175ºF with an instant-read thermometer. DO NOT add PAM to the air fryer as it will smoke, the chicken has enough oil not to need it.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then serve with your preferred sides.

Notes

Oven method: Preheat your oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper. Place the chicken on the sheet and bake for 35-45 minutes, until it registers 175ºF with an instant-read thermometer.