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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

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These air fryer chicken thighs are incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, ready in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or impressing guests, this recipe delivers big flavor with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 to 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  2. Optional: Let the chicken sit uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes for extra crispy skin.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine olive or avocado oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme or Italian seasoning, and cayenne if using.
  4. Add the chicken thighs and toss well to coat, rubbing some seasoning under the skin for maximum flavor.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overcrowding.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes. Flip the thighs skin-side up and cook for another 10-13 minutes, until the skin is deep golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C).
  8. If thighs are extra large, add 2-3 more minutes. For boneless thighs, reduce total cook time by 4-5 minutes.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and skin to crisp further.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, let the chicken air-dry in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 175°F for juicy, tender meat. If the skin isn’t crisp enough, add 2-3 more minutes. For gluten-free, double-check your spices. Leftovers reheat best in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, easy dinner, low carb, gluten free, keto, weeknight meal, healthy fried chicken, meal prep, chicken recipe

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-crispy-and-juicy-dinner-in-30-minutes/