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Four chicken thighs cooked in air fryer piled on a white plate and garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
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5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, crispy and perfectly seasoned! Making chicken thighs in the air fryer takes less than 25 minutes! Serve with your favorite veggies and creamy mashed potatoes or simple pasta for the ultimate delicious and easy dinner!
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer chicken thighs, chicken thigh air fryer, chicken thighs air fryer, chicken thighs in air fryer
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 297kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin on
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or another oil with a high-smoke point
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
  • 1 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper lemon pepper is also delicious in this recipe

Garnish (Optional)

  • parsley freshly choped
  • lemon slices or lemon wedges

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Use an air fryer liner or cut a piece of parchment paper to fit in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray (use a high smoke point cooking spray like avocado oil), if desired.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry on both sides with paper towels and then place them in a large bowl.
  • Drizzle the thighs with the oil and toss to coat the chicken evenly.
  • Whisk together the smoked paprika, paprika, salt, garlic powder and black pepper in a small bowl and then sprinkle the seasoning evenly all over the chicken thighs. Rub the seasoning into the chicken until evenly coated.
  • Place the thighs, skin side down, in a single layer, on the prepared liner or parchment paper (if using) in the air fryer basket. The chicken should not be touching so you may need to cook the chicken in multiple batches.
  • Air fry the chicken for 9 to 11 minutes, flip the chicken over and continue cooking for another 9 to 11 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy and the chicken has reached a minimum of 160°F internally, use a meat thermometer.
  • Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. (The chicken will continue cooking after removed, to the FDA recommended 165°F internal temperature.)
  • Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley and/or lemon slices, optional.

Video

Notes

Storage Information
You can store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days. It’s best to reheat leftovers back in the air fryer or the oven to keep that crispy outside texture. 
You can also freeze these chicken thighs in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw completely, overnight in the refrigerator, before reheating in your air fryer. 

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 864mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 746IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg