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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy Family Dinner

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs come out perfect every single time, with shatteringly crisp skin and tender, juicy meat. Made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this is the weeknight dinner your family will beg for.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Most air fryers need about 3-5 minutes to preheat.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Use 3-4 paper towels and press firmly to absorb as much moisture as possible.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir until it forms a thick, fragrant paste.
  4. Add the dried chicken thighs to the bowl and toss with your hands until each piece is evenly coated. Gently lift the skin with your fingers and rub a little of the mixture directly onto the meat.
  5. Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side up. Leave at least half an inch of space between each piece.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. At the 9-minute mark, use tongs to carefully flip each thigh over.
  7. Check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach at least 175°F (80°C) for the juiciest results. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken completely dry is the most important step for crispy skin. Don’t overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed. For best results, let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat well in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken, dairy-free chicken, keto chicken

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