Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Min Recipe
No breading, no fuss, just pure flavor and impossible crunch. These crispy air fryer chicken thighs come together in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Total Time: 23-25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs / 900g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (5 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (3 g)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (1.5 g)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2.5 g)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, 0.5 g)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels until the skin feels tacky.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) to form a loose paste.
- Add the dried chicken thighs to the bowl and toss well, massaging the seasoning into every nook and cranny, including under the skin.
- Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down, without overlapping.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes without opening the basket.
- Flip the thighs using tongs so the skin side is up.
- Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C) and the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crispy skin, add 2 minutes at 425°F (220°C) at the end. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 thighs
- Calories: 400
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 1.5
- Protein: 34
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, 20 minute dinner, keto chicken, gluten free chicken