Quick Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Min Recipe
Crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs ready in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick, delicious dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir into a paste.
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss well, massaging the seasoning into every nook and cranny.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece.
- Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
- Flip the chicken thighs using tongs.
- Cook for another 5-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Pat the chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Let the chicken rest before serving. For larger thighs, add 2-3 minutes cooking time. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 285
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 24
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