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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy 25-Minute Dinner

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are quick, easy, and deliver a deep-fried crunch without the mess. Perfect for busy weeknights, they are ready in about 25 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels, pressing firmly to remove as much moisture as possible from the skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne (if using). Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub it in with your hands. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides and rub gently to adhere. Let the seasoned thighs sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (about 3 to 5 minutes).
  4. Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket skin-side down in a single layer, leaving at least ½ inch of space between each thigh. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
  5. Cook for 12 minutes at 400°F. Do not open the air fryer during this time.
  6. After 12 minutes, use tongs to carefully flip each thigh over so the skin side is facing up.
  7. Cook for another 10 to 13 minutes, until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 175°F to 185°F.
  8. Transfer the thighs to a plate or cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry before seasoning to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to keep the meat juicy. For best results, serve immediately as the skin stays crispy for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, quick chicken recipe, air fryer recipe

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