• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe

Bake It With Love

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Dinners
    • Desserts
    • About
      • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    March 21, 2022 Last Modified: March 21, 2022 By Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com Leave a Comment

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • LinkedIn
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe
    Best air fryer chicken thighs pin with 2 images and text divider.

    Incredibly tasty air fryer chicken thighs cook up to crispy perfection with a flavorful seasoning that is sure to make this a new go-to chicken dinner! It's a super fast and easy-to-make meal option that the whole family will love!

    Best air fryer chicken thighs angled overhead view with fried cabbage and jalapenos on white plate.
    The air fryer really delivers incredibly juicy and tender chicken that everyone will enjoy!

    An easy air fryer recipe for the most tender, juiciest chicken you can imagine!

    Looking for an out-of-this-world chicken recipe you can make in a rush? Air fryer chicken is incredibly easy and quick to pull together but looks – and tastes – like you spent alot more time on it!

    All you need is chicken thighs and seasoning. Chicken seasoning blends often combine multiple herbs with spices like paprika, dry mustard, celery seed, cumin, and cayenne pepper. It’s amazing!

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🧂 Substitutions & Additions
    • 🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
    • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
    • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
    • 🍗 Marinades For Chicken Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    This recipe is simple. Just dry off your chicken, add the spices, and cook until crisp. It’s as easy as that!

    Leftovers won’t disappoint! You can pull the meat off the bone for sandwiches or toss it in pasta, soups, or salads. The whole family can pack a lunch the next day if you make enough!

    ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!

    Easy Prep! 5 minutes of work and 22 minutes of cooking time! There's minimal mess and no extra dishes needed either!

    Crispy Skin! The air fryer does a great job of getting that amazing crispiness!

    It's Family-Friendly! Kids and adults alike will love this savory, juicy chicken dinner!

    🥘 Ingredients

    There are just two ingredients in this recipe, but you can get as elaborate as you want with the spices! See below for some ideas!

    • 1 ½ pounds Chicken Thighs - This comes out to about 4 chicken thighs at 6 ounces each, I used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
    • 2 teaspoons Chicken Seasoning - Check out my recipe or buy your favorite brand!

    Chicken seasoning can be made with loads of different spices. Chicken has a very neutral flavor, and you could season it a million different ways.

    Try some of the combos below or some of my chicken marinades if you feel like experimenting. Or just keep it simple with some a generous seasoning of salt and pepper.

    🧂 Substitutions & Additions

    Lemon Pepper and Rosemary. I’m a big fan of this mix. It’s simple but delicious. When it’s cooked, squeeze on some extra lemon juice and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary for added decor.

    Herbs de Provence - This is a spice blend made with things that typically grow in the Provence region of France like the following: lavender, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, tarragon, fennel seeds, etc.

    Barbecue Rub - Get your cookout on! Smoky and sweet flavors give this all the taste of a good old-fashioned BBQ without even having to get out the grill!

    Garlic Powder and Basil - This simple combination is leaning towards Italian. Just sprinkle it with some Parmesan when you pull it out of the air fryer to finish it off!

    Taco Seasoning - One of the staples of a good taco seasoning, regardless of the meat it’s going on, is cumin. Cumin and chili powder give this the traditional flavors we all know and love!

    🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

    This is an easy recipe for any level of at-home cook. You’ll need your handy air fryer, a digital meat thermometer, and a pair of silicone kitchen tongs.

    1. Preheat your air fryer. Set your air fryer to 360℉ (195℃) and let it heat up for 5 minutes.
    2. Prepare the chicken thighs. Get out 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs. For crispy skin, trim off any excess skin or fat. Then, pat the dry with paper towels and season them thoroughly on all sides with 2 teaspoons chicken seasoning.
    3. Cook. When the air fryer is fully preheated, use a spritz bottle or a pastry brush brush with oil. Then, lay the chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket and cook for 12 minutes.
    4. Flip and finish cooking. Use the tongs to turn the thighs over. Then, cook for another 10 minutes. When the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (74℃) at the thickest point, your chicken is done.

    Garnish with fresh herbs or a lemon slice for extra appeal. I love pairing this with creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes and green bean casserole with bacon for a hearty traditional meal. Enjoy!

    💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes

    • Don’t use aerosol sprays on your air fryer. It damages the non-stick coating. A spritz bottle should be used, or a pastry brush to brush on the oil. 
    • You may need to work in batches. 4 chicken thighs will fit perfectly in a 6-quart fryer. If yours is smaller, cook a couple at a time.
    • Chicken cooks faster in preheated air fryers. This also applies to second and third batches if you're feeding a crowd.
    • Add time for extra crispy thighs. Increase cooking time in 4-minutes increments until they’re as crispy as you’d like them to be.
    • Be quick when you check the temperature. If you need to continue cooking to reach 165℉ (74℃), you don’t want the chicken or the air fryer to lose too much heat. 
    Closeup on the front air fryer chicken thigh with veggies in background.

    🥡 Storing & Reheating

    If you make enough for leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. For best flavor, eat within 2 to 3 days.

    If you need to make your chicken thighs last a little longer, let them cool completely before individually wrapping each thigh in foil before putting them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Store in the freezer for 3 to 4 months. Eat within 2 to 3 for best taste.

    Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

    Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    It’s easy to reheat leftovers. Just unwrap them and put them back in the air fryer at 400ºF (205ºC) for 6 to 8 minutes or until hot.

    If you’ve pulled the chicken off the bone, reheat in a saucepan over low heat with a drizzle of broth until hot.

    🍗 Marinades For Chicken Recipes

    Check out all my chicken marinades, here are a few of my favorites!

    • Lemon Pepper
    • Honey Garlic
    • Italian
    • Balsamic
    • Jamaican Jerk

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

    Best air fryer chicken thighs angled overhead view with fried cabbage and jalapenos on white plate.
    Print Recipe Leave A Comment
    Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
    5 from 1 review

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Incredibly tasty air fryer chicken thighs cook up to crispy perfection with a flavorful seasoning that is sure to make this a new go-to chicken dinner! It's a super fast and easy-to-make meal option that the whole family will love!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 320kcal
    Prep 5 minutes
    Cooking 22 minutes
    Total Time 27 minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 ½ lb chicken thighs (4 chicken thighs at 6 ounces each)
    • 2 teaspoon chicken seasoning (see recipe, or your favorite brand)

    Instructions

    • Preheat your air fryer at 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
    • For the crispiest results, begin by trimming any excess skin or fat from your chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. Then, season the thighs generously with chicken seasoning.
      2 teaspoon chicken seasoning, 1 ½ lb chicken thighs
    • Once the air fryer has preheated, spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray. Place the chicken thighs skin-side-down in the basket, and cook at 380°F (195°C) for 12 minutes.
    • Pull out the basket, flip the thighs skin-side-up, and cook for 10 minutes more. Your chicken thighs are ready once the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

    Equipment You May Need

    Air Fryer (basket style)
    meat thermometer
    Silicone Kitchen Tongs

    Notes

    • A 6-quart air fryer basket will fit 4 chicken thighs perfectly. If you have a smaller air fryer, you should work in batches. 
    • If you want extra crispy thighs, add more cook time in 4-minute increments until the thighs are as crispy as you'd like.
    • When opening the air fryer to temp your chicken thighs, move quickly in case they need to be returned to air fry further to finish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcal (16%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g (48%) | Fat: 24g (37%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 142mg (47%) | Sodium: 112mg (5%) | Potassium: 303mg (9%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 139IU (3%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 22mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    Course Dinner Recipes, Main Course
    Cuisine American

    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/
    « Cuban Recipes
    Roasted Peppers & Onions »

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • LinkedIn
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    en English
    ar Arabichr Croatiancs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianja Japaneseko Koreanpt Portugueseru Russiantr Turkish
    Author bio photo with cake.

    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

    More about me →

    Roast Dinners

    • Pork Ribeye Roast
    • Baked Pork Tenderloin
    • How To Roast Lamb
    • Roasted Leg of Lamb
    • Roasted Lamb Shanks
    • Duck Confit

    Reader Favorites

    • Avocado Egg Bake (Breakfast Bake)
    • Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak
    • Pan Seared Ribeye Steak
    • Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
    • Strawberry Shortcake
    As seen on image block.

    DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Angela
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Home
    • Accessibility Statement

    Subscribe

    Stay in Touch!

    * indicates required

    Read

    • Collections
    • Conversions
    • Food That Starts With
    • Substitutions
    • Food Info
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2022 Bake It With Love