Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Crispy-skinned, spectacularly juicy, and garlic paprika-rubbed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a no-effort recipe that earns unanimous praise and augments kitchen swagger. Quicker than the regular oven with even better results, your air fryer will quickly become your favorite way to cook chicken thighs!

crispy, juicy air fryer chicken fries in the air fryer basket

5-Star Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Of the dozens of air fryer recipes I’ve tested, these air fryer chicken thighs earned the highest honor awarded in our household: my husband requested them for dinner every week.

In fact, he called them the best chicken I’ve ever made!

Between all the ways I cook chicken—Baked Chicken Thighs, Pan-Fried Chicken Breast, and all of these healthy chicken recipes—that’s quite a statement.

I know he means it too, because, while he gets jazzed about other proteins like Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Pork Chops, chicken rarely causes a heart flutter.

(Unless it’s Air Fryer Chicken Wings, but let’s be real—that’s more about the Buffalo sauce.)

Four air fryer chicken thighs on a plate with lemon slices

About This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

These juicy chicken thighs have everything going for them.

The meat is juicier than you ever thought chicken could be.
The seasoning tastes lightly smoky and complex, an ideal profile for chicken.
The skin is so shatteringly crispy, even those who usually don’t eat chicken skin (me), will find themselves nibbling crunchy pieces.

But that’s not the end of the story.

From the cook’s perspective (that’s me and you), this fast and easy dinner is a clear winner.

Bone-in chicken thighs cook in 16 to 20 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees F.
You don’t need to marinade the chicken thighs before air frying.
The rub is made from common spices you likely already have in your pantry, like paprika and garlic powder.

The best air fryer chicken thighs on a plate

Air Frying Bone-In vs. Boneless Chicken Thighs

For this recipe, you can use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (I’ve included times for both), but I highly recommend using bone-in, skin-on chicken for this recipe.

As with this Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast, Braised Chicken Thighs, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken, the skin locks in moisture, so you don’t need to spend time brining the meat for excellent results, the way you would with boneless Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
The bone flavors the meat from within and makes it harder to overcook the chicken.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are a bargain compared to boneless.
Chicken thighs are healthy! They don’t deserve the bad rap they sometimes get. Prepared the right way (like in the air fryer), they are an excellent, lean source of protein and contain important nutrients like zinc and iron.

How to Make Crispy Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

The Directions

Stir the spice mixture together in a bowl.

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

Place chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket.
Air fry chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees F, flip halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Let rest for 5 minutes. ENJOY! Top with fresh parsley, cilantro, or thyme.

The Most Important Tool for Cooking Meat

While using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs gives you better protection from dry meat than if you were to use boneless skinless chicken thighs, you can still overcook chicken thighs. For best results use an instant read thermometer.

Good Budget Option. This instant read thermometer costs less than $15 and will save your dinner.
Best Option. This one is well-worth the price tag if you cook often. It reads results immediately and is dead accurate. (Plus, the colors are fun.)

More Ways to Season Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

Garlic Paprika Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. My favorite everyday chicken thigh rub and what you’ll find below.
Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese to your spice mixture. (I’ll have this with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, please.)
Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice mixture.
Brown Sugar Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to the spice mixture. (For a BBQ-like finish, serve the thighs with my scrumptious Barbecue Sauce or any bbq sauce.)
Italian Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the spice mixture.
Curry Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons curry powder to the spice mixture. (This would be delish with Turmeric Rice.)
Garlic Butter Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Omit the smoked paprika, add an extra teaspoon of garlic powder, and swap the olive oil for melted butter. (Perfect for pairing with Garlic Pasta.)
Lemon Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Add zest of 1 lemon to the spice mixture. (Try this with Pasta al Limone or Lemon Rice. YUM!)
Marinaded Chicken Thighs. This recipe includes a great chicken rub; you can also try my favorite Chicken Marinade or Chicken Thigh Marinade, or use this Dry Turkey Brine (it works for chicken too!). Be sure to pat the chicken dry prior to cooking.