Perfect Crispy Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer
Published
Cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer is an excellent method for achieving juicy, tender meat with a crispy skin, all with less oil than traditional frying methods.
The air fryer circulates hot air around the chicken, cooking it evenly and crisping up the skin perfectly. This easy recipe will take you through the steps for cooking delicious chicken thighs in an air fryer.
Ingredients
To make 1 serving
- Chicken thigh, skin-on, bone-in
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
- Olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
How to cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer
- Start by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps to remove excess moisture, ensuring the skin will get crispy.
- Brush or rub each chicken thigh lightly with olive oil. Season all sides generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika to taste.
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Preheating helps to cook the chicken evenly and crisps up the skin right from the start. If your air fryer doesn’t have a pre-heat function, simply add two minutes to the cooking time.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side up. Make sure they’re not touching; air needs to flow around them for even cooking and crisping.
- Cook the chicken thighs for about 20-30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. If your chicken thighs are particularly large, they may require a few extra minutes. If your air fryer has a thermometer, you’re looking for the temperature to reach 74°C.
- If you don’t have an air-fryer, you can cook in the oven. Increase the cooking time by 10 minutes.
- Once cooked, let the chicken thighs rest for a few minutes once removed.
- Serve the chicken thighs hot, with your choice of sides.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Ensure the chicken thighs are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. Good air circulation is key to getting that crispy skin.
- Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Chicken thighs have a rich flavour that stands up well to bold seasoning. Feel free to experiment with different spices according to your taste preferences, such as our Chinese Chicken Thighs.
- Cooking the chicken thighs skin-side up for the entire cooking process helps the skin become as crispy as possible.
With the air fryer, cooking chicken thighs to perfection is quick, easy and delivers delicious results.