Chicken Thighs
gluten-freedairy-freeketolow-carbwhole30dinnerlunchKid-FriendlyMeal-Prep
Chicken thighs are a flavorful and affordable cut that shines in the air fryer. Skin-on thighs crisp up beautifully, while boneless thighs cook even faster. Here's how to air fry them for optimal juiciness and browning.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless skinless for faster cooking)
- Oil (if boneless skinless, not needed for skin-on)
- Salt, pepper, and your seasoning of choice
Steps
- 01Pat the thighs completely dry with paper towels, especially the skin.
- 02Season generously on all sides.
- 03If bone-in skin-on, place skin-side down first for the initial cook to start rendering the fat.
- 04Ready for the air fryer.
- 05Let rest for 5 minutes after cooking. The juices redistribute and the skin stays crispier.
Boneless skinless thighs cook in about 12 to 15 minutes. Bone-in skin-on take 20 to 22. Both hit 165°F internal but the bone-in version is juicier because the bone insulates the meat. The rendered fat in the bottom of the basket is gold for roasting vegetables.
people love this variationShare your own version →
How to Air Fry It
- 01Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- 02Pat chicken thighs completely dry with a paper towel.
- 03Rub generously with oil and the Classic BBQ Rub or Lemon Herb seasoning.
- 04Place skin-side down in the air fryer basket.
- 05Cook for 10 minutes, then flip to skin-side up.
- 06Cook for another 10-12 minutes until the skin is crispy and internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
- 07Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
Be the first to share a tip or note about this recipe. What worked, what you changed, or what you'd do differently next time.
Season it up
1 / 2
Pairs well
Meal Prep
Stores 4 days refrigerated. Reheats better than breast because of higher fat content. 375°F (190°C) for 4-5 minutes to re-crisp the skin.
Discussion
Loading comments...