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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are fast, affordable, and deliver shatteringly crisp skin with tender, juicy meat. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and takes about 25 minutes from fridge to table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs / 900g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil (30ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and baking powder (if using). Stir to combine.
  3. Place the dry chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken and rub it into every nook and cranny, including under the skin.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes. Do not open the basket during this time.
  7. Using tongs, carefully flip each chicken thigh. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C) and the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  8. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is the most important step for crispy skin. For extra crispiness, use aluminum-free baking powder. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, budget-friendly chicken, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken, dairy-free chicken

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