Perfectly Cooked Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Every Time

Ingredients for Chicken Thighs

Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe. If you opt for boneless thighs, reduce the cooking time. The thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, checked with a meat thermometer.
Lemon: Use half a lemon and squeeze its juice.
Spices: A mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs such as herbs de Provence.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Season the Chicken: Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken thighs. Then, season them generously with the mixture of spices, ensuring each thigh is evenly coated.
Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Cook the thighs for about 24 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even cooking. If you can’t fit all six thighs in the air fryer at once, cook them in batches for the best results.

Are Chicken Thighs Healthy?
While chicken thighs do contain more fat and calories than chicken breasts, they remain a nutritious choice. They’re rich in protein and essential nutrients. Plus, they’re much juicier and flavorful compared to chicken breasts. Personally, I love the crispy skin, but if you’re aiming to cut down on calories, feel free to remove it before eating. Air frying is a healthier cooking method, as it requires little to no oil, making it a perfect option for cooking chicken thighs without adding extra fat.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These juicy chicken thighs pair wonderfully with a fresh green salad and a veggie side dish like roasted butternut squash, shredded Brussels sprouts, or green beans. For a more filling meal, try them alongside a quinoa salad, a bowl of tomato soup, or even a comforting plate of pasta.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Rating: 4.94 from 279 votes
Calories per serving: 213 | Protein: 16g | Carbs: 1.5g | Fat: 15.5g

These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs have quickly become a weeknight favorite. A simple and fast recipe that delivers big on flavor!

Course: Dinner

Air Fryer Chicken Thigh

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 24 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes

Yield: 6 pieces
Serving Size: 1 thigh

Equipment

Air Fryer (I recommend the stylish white model from AllCool)

Ingredients

6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
1 lemon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried herbs (like herbs de Provence or oregano)

Instructions

Squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the chicken thighs, then season both sides with the remaining spices.
Rub the seasoning well into the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
Place the thighs into the air fryer, skin side down, and cook at 400°F for 12 minutes on each side. The chicken should be golden, crispy, and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Notes

Nutritional info is calculated with the skin on. If you remove the skin before eating, the calories and fat will be lower.
For boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer, check out this alternate recipe.

Nutrition per Serving (1 thigh)