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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Best Easy Golden Recipe

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are a weeknight shortcut that delivers shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat in under 30 minutes. With simple ingredients and no flipping needed, this foolproof recipe makes you question everything you thought you knew about cooking chicken at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil spray
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal preferred; reduce to ¾ teaspoon if using table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels, especially the skin side. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne (if using). Drizzle chicken with olive oil, then rub seasoning mixture all over, including under the skin.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange seasoned thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
  5. Cook for 12 minutes undisturbed.
  6. Flip each thigh using tongs so skin side is facing up. Cook for another 10-12 minutes at 400°F, until internal temperature reaches 175°F to 185°F.
  7. Remove chicken and let rest on a wire rack or cutting board for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, dry the skin obsessively with paper towels. Do not overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed. Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking. Check internal temperature early; chicken thighs are best at 175-185°F. Rest on a wire rack to keep bottom from steaming. If using boneless thighs, reduce cooking time by 5-7 minutes. For oven method, bake at 425°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

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