Description
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs deliver perfectly crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat with minimal effort. Ready in under 30 minutes, this healthy and versatile recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and a convenient air frying method to create a satisfying meal ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
Seasoning and Marinade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (natural)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (natural)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Lightly brush or rub the olive oil (natural) all over the skin and underneath if possible to help seasoning adhere and promote crispiness.
- Season Generously: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder (natural), paprika (natural), dried thyme (natural), salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs, ensuring full coverage. Add a splash of vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) and rub gently into the meat for a flavorful umami boost.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (about 200°C) and preheat for 2 minutes. Preheating ensures the chicken crisps immediately instead of steaming, keeping the skin crackly.
- Air Fry the Thighs: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip so skin side is up. Cook for another 10-12 minutes until skin is golden and crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the thighs rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pat chicken skin dry before seasoning for optimal crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to brown both sides evenly.
- Customize spice blends to suit your taste preferences with herbs and chili powders.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-24 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, healthy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe
