How to Make Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

Let me show you how to make chicken thighs in an air fryer so they come out with crispy golden skin and juicy meat inside. This is one of those simple dinners I make when I want something easy, but still want it to taste like I actually made an effort.

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I’m obsessed with how the air fryer handles chicken thighs. The skin crisps up so nicely, the seasoning sticks to every piece, and the chicken stays tender without needing a long marinade or a hot oven running in the kitchen.

Watch the video below, and I’ll show you how to make chicken thighs in an air fryer so they come out crispy on the outside and juicy inside. If you enjoy it, please like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more simple air fryer chicken recipes.

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Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These air fryer chicken thighs are simple, quick, and so satisfying. You only need a few basic seasonings, and the air fryer does most of the work.

The best part is the skin. Let’s be honest… crispy chicken skin is the reason we are here. It gets golden and crunchy in the air fryer, while the meat stays juicy underneath.

I also love that this recipe feels like a proper dinner without being fussy. It is not one of those recipes where you need twenty ingredients and three bowls. Just season the chicken, get it into the air fryer, and let it cook.

And the cleanup is easy too, which I always appreciate. How can you not?!

Texture + Flavor

These chicken thighs come out crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. The skin gets golden and crunchy, and the meat underneath stays tender and flavorful.

The seasoning is simple and savory, with a little warm smoky flavor from the smoked paprika. Nothing too strong, nothing too complicated, just really good chicken that works with almost any side dish.

It smells amazing while it cooks too. That is always a good sign, right?!

Why The Air Fryer Works So Well For This Recipe

The air fryer is great for chicken thighs because it moves hot air around the chicken. That helps the skin brown and crisp without needing a pan full of oil.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs also work really well because they are naturally juicy. The skin protects the meat, and the bone helps the chicken cook a little more gently.

Did You Know: Chicken thighs usually stay juicier than chicken breast because they have more fat and darker meat. That makes them a great choice for air fryer recipes.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Ingredients

For 4 servings, you will need:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• Cooking spray for the air fryer basket

A Quick Note About The Seasoning

This seasoning mix is simple on purpose. The chicken thighs already have plenty going on because of the crispy skin and juicy meat, so you do not need to cover them in a huge list of spices.

The smoked paprika helps with color and flavor. The garlic powder and onion powder make the chicken taste savory, and the oregano gives it a little herby flavor without taking over.

Note: You can use your own seasoning mix if you like. This is just the simple blend I like because it tastes good without making the recipe complicated.

If you want to add black pepper, start with 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper for 4 chicken thighs. That gives you a little bite without making the chicken too peppery.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Air fryer
• Large plastic bag or large bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Tongs
• Meat thermometer
• Cooking spray

I like using a plastic bag because it makes it easy to move the chicken around and coat every piece with seasoning. If you do not want to use a bag, a large bowl works too. Just toss everything really well.

How to Make Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer Step by Step

If you are wondering how to make chicken thighs in an air fryer, this is the simple method I use. Season the chicken, preheat the air fryer, give the thighs a little room in the basket, and cook them until the skin is crispy and the thickest part reaches 165°F, which is 74°C.

Step 1: Season The Chicken

First, let me show you the best way to season the chicken thighs. Drop 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs into a plastic bag, then add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of oregano.

Close the plastic bag really well, and then shake it and move the chicken around inside the bag so every piece gets coated in the seasoning. You want the spices to stick all over the chicken, not just sit at the bottom of the bag.

Top Tip: If the chicken skin looks wet, pat it dry before adding the seasoning. Dry skin crisps much better in the air fryer, and it also helps the seasoning stick better.

Step 2: Preheat The Air Fryer

Now preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes. This gives the basket time to get nice and hot before the chicken goes in.

Once the air fryer is hot, spray the basket with a little cooking spray. You do not need a lot. Just enough to help the chicken cook without sticking.

I know preheating sounds like a small step, but for skin on chicken thighs, it really helps. When the chicken hits a hot basket, the skin starts cooking right away, which helps it get crisp instead of soft.

Step 3: Add The Chicken

Then, put the seasoned chicken thighs into the air fryer basket in one layer. If they fit with a little room between them, that is perfect.

If your air fryer is smaller and the pieces are touching too much, cook them in two rounds instead. I know cooking in batches is not always fun, but it is better than crowding the basket and ending up with soft skin.

Note: Air fryers come in different sizes, so do not worry if yours does not fit all 4 chicken thighs at once. The chicken will cook better if the hot air can move around it.

Step 4: Air Fry The Chicken Thighs

Air fry the chicken thighs for 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F, which is about 200°C.

The chicken thighs I am using are quite small, so 20 minutes is usually enough for mine. If your chicken thighs are larger, you will probably need closer to 25 minutes.

The best way to make sure the chicken is cooked is to check the thickest part with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F, which is 74°C, inside.

If the chicken is fully cooked but you want the skin a little crispier, cook it for another 2 to 3 minutes and check again. Keep an eye on it near the end because the skin can darken quickly once it is already crisp.

How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

For bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F usually works well. Smaller chicken thighs may be ready around 20 minutes, while larger ones may need closer to 25 minutes.

If you are asking how long to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer, the honest answer is that the time depends on the size of your chicken thighs and your air fryer. Use the time as a guide, but use the thermometer as the final check.

The chicken is ready when the skin is golden and crisp, and the thickest part reaches 165°F inside.

Why A Meat Thermometer Helps

A meat thermometer makes this recipe so much easier because you do not have to guess. Chicken can look cooked on the outside before the inside is fully done, especially when you are cooking bone-in pieces.

Place the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, but do not press it right against the bone. The bone can throw off the reading, and you want the temperature of the meat.

Top Tip: Start checking around 20 minutes if your chicken thighs are small. If they are larger, start checking closer to 23 minutes.

Related Recipe: If you like using your air fryer to make quick and simple dinners, you should also check out how I make a whole chicken in the air fryer here.

Tips For Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

• Pat the chicken dry if the skin looks wet. This helps the seasoning stick and gives the skin a better chance to crisp.
• Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes. A hot basket helps the chicken start cooking right away.
• Do not crowd the basket. If the chicken thighs are too close together, they can steam instead of crisping properly.
• Use a light spray of cooking spray. You only need a little. Too much spray can make the chicken feel greasy instead of crisp.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives the juices a little time to settle, and the chicken tastes better.

Can I Make These Without Skin?

Yes, you can make chicken thighs in the air fryer without skin, but they will not turn out the same. The skin is what gives this recipe its crispy golden outside.

Skinless chicken thighs can still taste really good, but they will be more browned than crispy. If you are using skinless thighs, watch the time closely because they can dry out faster.

For the best crispy result, I would stick with skin-on chicken thighs.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These air fryer chicken thighs go with so many simple sides. I love them with potatoes, rice, salad, roasted vegetables, or a quick slaw.

For a cozy dinner, serve them with mashed potatoes or rice and something green on the side. So simple, but sooo good.

For a lower-carb dinner, try green beans, broccoli, cauliflower rice, or a big crunchy salad. The chicken has plenty of flavor, so the sides do not need to be complicated.

For a super easy plate, add a bagged salad and some air fryer vegetables. Dinner done. I love that kind of night.

Storage And Reheating

Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

To reheat them, put them back in the air fryer at 350°F, which is about 175°C, for a few minutes until hot. The air fryer is the best way to bring back some of that crispy skin.

You can reheat them in the microwave, too, but the skin will be softer. Still tasty, just not as crispy.

More Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

If you like using your air fryer to make quick and simple dinners, you should also check out more air fryer chicken recipes below.

• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips – These chicken strips are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfect for dipping into your favorite sauces.
• How I Mastered Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – Learn the simple tips for making chicken drumsticks that are tender, juicy, and perfectly crispy every time.
• Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe With a Crunchy Golden Crust – Enjoy classic fried chicken with a crispy golden coating and juicy meat, all made in the air fryer with less oil.

And if you make these air fryer chicken thighs, leave a comment or question in the comment section below, or in the YouTube video comments. I try to respond to all the comments and questions!