Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are the perfect weeknight dinner when you need something quick, affordable, and packed with flavor. The chicken turns out crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and cooks in less than 20 minutes with just a handful of simple seasonings.
This family-tested recipe is one of our favorite ways to make chicken thighs because it requires very little prep and pairs well with almost any side dish. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a hungry family, this recipe delivers every time.
Ever since we bought our air fryer, it has really been a game changer. Chicken is one of our favorite things to cook in it. This recipe does not disappoint and your family will really love it.
Each bite is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Plus, it has amazing flavor and you only need a few simple ingredients. This is one of our go to recipes when we want fried chicken but need it fast for dinner. I can’t wait for you to try it.
Make sure to also check out these air fryer chicken recipes, Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe, air fryer southern fried chicken, Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins and Air Fryer Whole Chicken.
Why We Love Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
This recipe is so simple and anyone can make it when you are short on time. The hot air cooks the chicken with a crispy skin and a juicy center. The chicken thighs are ready in less than 20 minutes and the best part is there is no oil splatter and cleanup is a breeze.
You will that this recipe is budget friendly and perfect to meal prep with. If you love to grill, check out these Grilled Chicken Thigh Recipes. To make chicken thighs in the slow cooker, check out Crockpot Chicken Thighs.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs – Skin-on Chicken Thighs with Bones.
- Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice. I really like avocado oil too
- Paprika – Smoked Paprika can be used or check out these Best Paprika Substitute
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Black Pepper – Simple spices
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer
Step 1 – Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. No worries if your air fryer does not have a preheat option. Just let it run for 5 minutes at 390 degrees.
Step 2 – Pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel. Then pour the olive oil over the chicken thighs. I like to drizzle it all over and use a basting brush to make sure all of the chicken is covered.
Step 3 – Mix together the seasonings in a small bowl. You are going to be amazed how just a few simple seasonings give this chicken so much flavor.
Step 4 – Once the seasoning is mixed together, rub the seasoning mixture all over the bone-in chicken thighs. Make sure you get everywhere.
Step 5 – Put the meat in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, skin side down and cook at 390 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for an another 8 to 10 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Single Layer – Do not overlap the chicken in this mini convection oven. You may have to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Rest Chicken – Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving and enjoy!
- Seasoning Chicken Thighs – For the best flavor, season the chicken thighs completely on both sides.
How Long do you Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Air Fry the chicken thighs for about 12-16 minutes depending on the size of your chicken thighs. We recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken thighs are fully cooked.
The chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees in thickest part of the thigh.
Variations Ideas
- Chicken – Feel free to also use this recipe to make boneless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Seasoning – Change the spices to what you prefer. We have substituted the Italian Seasoning for ½ teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Fresh herbs can also be added such as rosemary or thyme.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Easy Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Steamed Broccoli in the Microwave– this is a really quick and easy side dish for busy nights.
- Quick and Easy Macaroni and Cheese
- Brussel Sprouts in Air Fryer
If your kids don’t like brussel sprouts, try them in the air fryer. The texture is different and they are crispy and delicious.
Just keep it simple and enjoy a delicious family dinner. Everyone will love this meal. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but the chicken thighs will need to be thawed first before cooking in the air fryer.
Yes, you will need to flip chicken thighs while cooking in the air fryer. This helps to evenly cook the chicken and creates a crispy skin texture on both sides.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
We recommend reheating in the air fryer to create a crispy texture again. Reheat for about 3-4 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat in the oven or the microwave if you prefer.
Yes, you can place the chicken thighs in a freezer storage container once they have cooled to room temperature. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to serve.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
If you try making these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 12 Chicken Thighs – Skin on with Bones
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place 12 chicken thighs into a large bowl or onto a baking tray.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil evenly over the chicken thighs. Use a basting brush or your hands to coat the chicken evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken thighs.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overlap the chicken. Cook in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the chicken thighs at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs and continue cooking for an additional 8–10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
This is delicious, easy and quick. I used chicken legs because I get food from a food pantry and that is what I have. I really appreciate all the recipes, they are so helpful in my life and I get to try things that I normally would have had to get from a restaurant, which I can no longer afford in retirement.
I love all the recipes I have tried so far, what time and money savers.
Simple yet tasty looking recipe to send off with my college kiddo this fall
Kim – That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Love a good air fryer recipe for chicken my favorite so far
Jessica – I’m so glad to hear. Thanks for commenting.
Had to repost, sorry forgot to rate the recipe 🙂
Thanks so much!
Too hot for the oven here! This looks like a great way to use my air fryer and NOT heat the whole house. Will be using the leftover chicken for other meals too because they are flavored well!! Thank you!
Yes! Great way to keep the kitchen cool! Thanks for commenting.
This recipe gave me the confidence to use my air fryer . It was easy , very tasty and soooo fast ! Thank you !!!
This was my first recipe to try in my air fryer and WOW!! The family said, that was easy and soooo good. So glad to have found this recipe. A keeper for sure.
Thanks!
I love chicken thighs and can’t wait to try !!
I hope you enjoy it!
What a great weeknight recipe!
Thank you! It is so easy!
Looks delicious! Definitely trying this soon.
Bella – Let me know how it turns out!
This looks so good. I have been looking for different ways to cook chicken in my air fryer. I will definitely have to try this recipe out next time I make chicken thighs. Thank you for sharing.
You’re so welcome! I’m excited you are going to try it.
My children loved the chicken thighs this way and I loved the flavor and especially how fast it was to make before baseball game. I added a pasta salad and corn on the cob as sides. Will definitely be using this recipe again!
Love the side dish ideas with this! So glad everyone liked it during a busy week!
Love me some chicken thighs! : )
We do too!
Delicious and juicy! Nicely seasoned.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
I’ve made something like this before.
Real easy and delicious ?
Thanks so much!
This looks easy and delicious! I will definitely try this recipe.
I’m definitely making this. So easy, fast and tasty. Thank you for including recipes using different cooking techniques.
This looks easy to make but not sure if will fit in my air fryer. If it doesn’t will stick it in the oven. That will take lots longer to cook tho.
I made these and they were really good. I have an Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer oven so have to adjust times just a bit. I make these a second time and just used a french onion soup mix as the seasonings. I’m not sure which version I liked best. This is so easy I know I”ll make them again.
Marla – I’m glad you gave it a try and thought it was easy! We love it too!
I’m going to try this recipe.
Velina – Yay! Can’t wait to hear what you think.
I have been looking for a way to use up some chicken thighs I have! Will be trying this tomorrow night!
Wahoo! Can’t wait for you to try!
Easy and my family loved the taste. Thanks for the recipe!
Peggy – You’re so welcome! I’m glad your family enjoyed it.
Yum!
Thank you 🙂
Love thighs and air fryer. So will try this.
I don’t own an airfryer, so I deep fried them. It was still really good though!!
Great idea! SO glad you enjoyed it!
best recipe and easy to maked
Kevin – Thank you so much!
Nice and simple!
Gloria – Thanks so much!
Can’t wait to make this! You’re recipes are never fail in our house!
Karen – Thank you so much! This means a lot!
My hubs loves chicken thighs and I love using the air fryer so this was a win win for us. So tender and amazing flavor. Thanks for another great recipe Carrie.
Always the best recipes! Ill be making these this week.
yummy….
My husband loves chicken thighs. We have never tried them in the air fryer. I am going to be trying this!
Teri – I’m so glad! Hope you both enjoy!
This recipe is so easy! These are great as they are, but even better if you switch out standard paprika for smoked paprika.
Can’t wait to try this! Since the oven just died, I’ve been looking for more Air Fryer recipes. Perfect timing!
I hope you love it! So sorry to hear about your oven though!
Looks good ?! I’ll hafta try it on these hot summer ?? days ?…
I made these thighs & so many more of your recipes!! Love them for my life & to share with my family & beyond!
Thank you SO much! This means a lot.
This is one we definitely need to try!
Steven – Let me know what you think once you try it!
Thighs are my favorite piece of chicken, this looks easy and yummy, will try!
So glad you are going to try it!
Super easy recipe – only added a touch of garlic powder to it! The chicken thighs came out great and were perfect with a salad.
I’m team air fryer but this stuff is so good
Thank you SO much!
I have never loved thighs, but I know the meat is always very tender. I am always needing easy weeknight meals though, and this certainly fits there so I am try this one soon. Every air fryer is a little different so may have to play around with timing. Love how easy!
The only way I’ll ever make chicken thighs again Period.
Wow! Thank you SO much!
This came out so delicious! I even managed to get my picky toddler to eat some! Thank you for your emails with recipes that are affordable and easy! I enjoy reading through all of your content! I have never been a good cook but I’m working on that lol I wasn’t sure if this was the correct spot to comment to be entered in the drawing! This single mama could definitely use that!! Thanks again for everything!
Erica – Thank you for your kind words! It means more than you know!
I presume to place the chicken thighs skin up before turning over for the remaining time? Also I make similar spice mix to yours (will try yours, easier!) but I make 5-10x more and store the spice mix in an airtight glass jar for the next time I air fry (or bake). I take out from the jar only the amount to use what it takes to coat the chicken pieces. Thanks for the recipe collection too 🙂
Yes, start with the chicken thighs skin side up, then flip them for the remaining cook time. I love your idea of making a larger batch of the seasoning to keep on hand too! Thanks so much for sharing and for trying my recipes!
I love the way chicken turns out in my air fryer.
I’m so glad! Thanks for commenting.
This sounds like a quick and easy recipe. Thank you for sharing this.
Nancy – You’re welcome! Hope you love it!
Easy dinner. We add a bit of garlic and onion powder and serve over rice.
Thank you! Rice is perfect with this!
I want to try this chicken thigh recipe in my air fryer with the air fryer sweet potatoes! I think I have the same air fryer!
Oh fun! We love this air fryer!
yummy thanks for the recipe
You’re so welcome. I’m glad you loved it.
Why have I never thought to make chicken thighs in the air fryer before?!?
Jen – It’s so easy! Hope you enjoy!
Love any recipe with chicken thighs, rather than white meat. This is perfect for our family!
Julie – Thank you so much! I’m so glad your family can enjoy this!
That recipe will be great.
Thank you, Kim!
I make these all of the time. I like chicken thighs more than the breasts.
John – So glad you love it!
We are trying this tonight with chicken breasts and a side of green beans!
Summer – I’m so glad! Let me know how it turns out.
I’ve never made wings in the air fryer so I can’t wait to try these! I love all of your recipes you post!
Thank you so much. Let me know how it turns out.
I am looking forward to making the air fryer chicken thighs recipe…sounds delicious and easy
Lori – I’m so glad you plan to make it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
We love thighs and this air fryer recipe is stellar. It enhances the yummy flavor of the chicken thigh and is quick and easy. I will do this recipe again!
Thank you so much!
definitely need to try this. SO GOOD
Thank you, Alicia. I’m so glad!
These chicken thighs look amazing!
These should definitely be on your menu this week! A great way to beat the heat as well!
I need to make these soon!
Piper – Thank you for taking the time to comment! I’m so glad to hear this!
Oh ps. I think all the meals would ne a hit this week!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that! I hope they’re all a hit with your family this week. Thanks for following along and letting me be a small part of your meal planning!
What happened ? Got booted! I dont have them fancy air fryer! On ss. My budget doesnt have waver for it! I will have to just do the oven. Way.!
Haha! No worries at all! The oven works great too. I know not everyone has an air fryer, so I’m always happy when the oven is an option. I hope you enjoy the recipe! Thanks so much for being here!
Fabulous recipe, and so budget-friendly! It was a definite success. Thanks, Carrie for all of your recipes.
Regina – I’m thrilled to hear this! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Thanks for this easy recipe. I am never sure on cooking times in air fryer and this answered my questions. Great for when you don’t want to turn on oven, Thanks
Those look amazing and super easy! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you think so! I love recipes that are both easy and delicious. I hope you give them a try and enjoy them! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
We don’t have air conditioning and trying to use the oven is not an option in this heat. My friends all love their large air fryers. We’ve been experimenting with our small one. I can’t wait to try our new large air fryer.
My family loved these chicken thighs. Thanks.
Belinda – I’m so glad your family enjoyed them! You made my day!
Carrie, I have actually made this recipe several times. It’s SO good. My husband loves it. I’ve served with it several different ways. With white rice, with mashed potatoes, with your recipe for air fryer roasted potatoes (so good). Also with different vegetables, corn, green beens, steamed carrots. This chicken thigh recipe is so good. I’ve even changed up the paprika for Hot Hungarian Paprika (didn’t use a 1/2 tsp. though, lol) for little bit of a kick and it was yummy.
I loved the air fryer thighs chicken recipe. I tried it I will be making it many times. Chicken thighs are my favorite part of the chicken . Thanks ??
Joanne – So glad you tried it. Thanks for taking time to leave a comment. It really brightened my day!
What flavor of trying this? I cant imagine the flavor is unbelievable
I LOVE my air fryer and thighs are the best part of the chicken!! These thighs look sinfully good!! Thank you!!
Bonnie – Thank you! I’m so glad you love it.
If cooking only 4 thighs do you change time and/or temp of air fryer? ( 12 thighs is a hellava lot of chicken)
Jack – I wouldn’t change the temperature of the air fryer and then use the lower range of the cooking time. If you try it out, please come back and let me know how they turn out!
Very Good and a great easy way to cook them!!
So glad you loved it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and rating.
This was a great quick, last minute main dish. Served with Parmesean noodles and home grown Tomatoes. Would make it again maybe with a bit more spices.
I haven’t used my air-fryer can I use a baking dish to make this chicken dish ? They look so good
Love this chicken thigh recipe on Air dryer, so easy and quick, my husband can’t beleived how crispy it came out. I even shared it to my sister and she did it and loved it too!