Crispy-skinned, spectacularly juicy, and garlic paprika-rubbed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a no-effort recipe that earns unanimous reward and augments kitchen swagger.

Of the handfuls of air fryer recipes I’ve examined, these air fryer rooster thighs earned the very best honor awarded in our family: my husband requested them for dinner each week.

In truth, he known as them the most effective rooster I’ve ever made!

Between all of the methods I cook dinner rooster—Baked Chicken Thighs, Pan-Fried Chicken Breast, and all of those wholesome rooster recipes—that’s fairly an announcement.

I do know he means it too, as a result of, whereas he will get jazzed about different proteins like Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Pork Chops, rooster not often causes a coronary heart flutter.

(Except it’s Air Fryer Chicken Wings, however let’s be actual—that’s extra concerning the Buffalo sauce.)

The whole lot You Have to Know About Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

On the diner’s finish, these juicy rooster thighs have every little thing going for them.

• The meat is juicier than you ever thought rooster may very well be.
• The seasoning tastes flippantly smoky and complicated, a perfect profile for rooster.
• The pores and skin is so shatteringly crispy, even those that often don’t eat rooster pores and skin (me), will discover themselves nibbling crunchy items.

However that’s not the tip of the story.

From the cook dinner’s perspective (that’s me and also you), this quick and straightforward dinner is a transparent winner.

• Bone-in rooster thighs cook dinner in 16 to 20 minutes within the air fryer at 400 levels F.
• You don’t must spend time marinating the rooster thighs earlier than air frying.
• The rub is constructed from widespread spices you possible have already got in your pantry, like paprika and garlic powder.

Methods to Make Crispy Chicken Thighs within the Air Fryer

For this recipe, you should utilize bone-in or boneless rooster thighs (I’ve included occasions for each), however I extremely advocate utilizing bone-in, skin-on rooster for this recipe.

• As with this Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Complete Chicken, the pores and skin locks in moisture, so you don’t must spend time brining the meat for wonderful outcomes, the best way you’d with boneless Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
• The bone flavors the meat from inside and makes it more durable to overcook the rooster.
• Bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs are a discount in comparison with boneless.
• Chicken thighs are wholesome! They don’t deserve the dangerous rap they generally get. Ready the appropriate approach (like within the air fryer), they’re a wonderful, lean supply of protein and comprise essential vitamins like zinc and iron.

The Components

• Chicken Thighs. Bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs are perfect for the air fryer. The meat stays tender and juicy throughout cooking, and the pores and skin turns into crackly and crispy.
• Paprika + Smoked Paprika. The mixture of paprika and smoked paprika gives the proper stability of sweetness and smokiness.
• Garlic Powder. For a contact of addictive garlicky taste.
• Salt + Pepper. Traditional, can’t-miss taste additions.
• Olive Oil. Helps the spice combination adhere to the rooster thighs and the pores and skin to crisp. No cooking spray wanted.

The Instructions

1. Stir the spice combination collectively in a bowl.

2. Pat dry the thighs with paper towel, then add them to the bowl. Coat the rooster with oil and the spices.

3. Place rooster thighs pores and skin facet down within the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry rooster thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 levels F, flip midway by means of. Use a meat thermometer to examine for doneness. Let relaxation for five minutes. ENJOY! High with contemporary parsley, cilantro, or thyme.

Extra Methods to Season Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

• Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese to your spice combination. (I’ll have this with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, please.)
• Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 1/Four teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice combination.
• Brown Sugar Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to the spice combination. (For a BBQ-like end, serve the thighs with my delicious Barbecue Sauce or any bbq sauce.)
• Italian Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the spice combination.
• Curry Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons curry powder to the spice combination. (This may be delish with Turmeric Rice.)
• Garlic Butter Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Omit the smoked paprika, add an additional teaspoon of garlic powder, and swap the olive oil for melted butter. (Excellent for pairing with Garlic Pasta.)
• Lemon Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add zest of 1 lemon to the spice combination. (Do that with Pasta al Limone or Lemon Rice. YUM!)

Storage Suggestions

• To Retailer. Refrigerate rooster in an hermetic container for as much as Four days. 
• To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the air fryer.
• To Freeze. Freeze thighs in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as three months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating. 

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Video

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• In a big bowl, mix the paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.

• Pat the rooster thighs very dry on either side, then add to the bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then toss to coat within the spice combination.

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Add the rooster thighs in a single layer, skin-side down (ensure that they don’t seem to be touching; if they’re, cook dinner the rooster in batches).

• Air fry the rooster thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping midway by means of, till an instantaneous learn thermometer inserted on the thickest a part of a thigh (however not touching bone) reaches 155°F. Put aside, cowl, and let relaxation for five minutes (rooster is taken into account by the FDA cooked at 165°F, however the temperature will proceed to rise because it rests; air fryer fashions differ in cooking time, so examine early to be protected). Serve sizzling, with lemon wedges (squeeze them excessive of your serving) and sprinkled with contemporary herbs.

• FOR BONELESS THIGHS: Coat with the spice combination as directed. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F, then add the rooster smooth-side down. Cook dinner for six to eight minutes, flipping midway by means of, till the rooster reaches 155°F on an instantaneous learn thermometer. Let relaxation for five to 10 minutes (the temperature will proceed to rise), then get pleasure from heat.
• TO STORE: Refrigerate rooster in an hermetic storage container for as much as Four days. 
• TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350°F or within the microwave. 
• TO FREEZE: Freeze thighs in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as three months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating. 

Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFats: 31gSaturated Fats: 7gPolyunsaturated Fats: 6gMonounsaturated Fats: 15gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 142mgPotassium: 369mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1407IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

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