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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

crispy air fryer chicken thighs - featured image
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This recipe delivers crispy, golden skin and juicy, tender meat using an easy air fryer method. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra-virgin recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture (5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, drizzle olive oil over the thighs. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional herbs. Toss to coat evenly (3 minutes).
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down, making sure they are not touching (2 minutes).
  5. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the thighs skin side up using tongs. Continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes, total cook time about 22-24 minutes.
  6. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C). If not done, cook a few more minutes.
  7. Let the thighs rest for 5 minutes outside the air fryer before serving to redistribute juices.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even air circulation. Flip chicken halfway through cooking for even crisping. Rest chicken after cooking to keep meat tender. If skin is not crispy enough, air fry an additional 2-3 minutes watching closely to avoid burning. Use tongs with silicone tips to avoid tearing skin. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat best in air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, juicy chicken, weeknight meal, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-juicy-tender-meat/