Crispy Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Crispy, juicy chicken thighs made in the air fryer in just 20 minutes! A foolproof weeknight dinner with easy seasoning, perfect crisp, and minimal cleanup. Keto, low-carb, and packed with flavor.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on (~2 lbs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl to form a seasoning paste.
- Coat chicken thighs evenly with the seasoning paste using a brush or hands.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
- Air fry for 10–11 minutes, flip, then continue for 8–10 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Make it spicy with cayenne or chili flakes. Skinless thighs reduce cooking time by 3–4 minutes. Marinate for deeper flavor. Try different rubs like lemon pepper or BBQ for variety!