Description
This air fryer chicken thighs recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with perfectly crispy skin. Marinated with a simple blend of spices and olive oil, these bone-in, skin-on thighs cook quickly in the air fryer, making it an easy and delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds)
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
- Dry the chicken thighs: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step is essential to achieve crispy skin during cooking.
- Marinate the chicken: Coat each chicken thigh evenly with the marinade. For best flavor, make sure to gently lift the skin and rub some marinade underneath.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the chicken thighs skin-side up in the air fryer basket, keeping them spaced so they are not overcrowded, which helps in crisping.
- Cook the chicken: Air fry the chicken thighs for 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure both sides crisp up nicely. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This helps retain juices inside for tender meat.
- Optional marination: For enhanced flavor and tenderness, you can marinate the chicken thighs in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken thighs hot, paired with sides like roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry ensures crispy skin in the air fryer.
- Marinating overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Keep the skin side up during cooking to maximize crispiness.
- Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to guarantee doneness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, bone-in chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken
