Description
Succulent Air Fryer Chicken Thighs deliver ultimate crispy perfection with minimal effort. Juicy meat and golden-brown exterior promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or rosemary)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Cooking Oil:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Create a pristine workspace and ensure air fryer is clean and ready for culinary action.
- Thoroughly eliminate moisture from chicken thighs using absorbent kitchen towels, guaranteeing maximum crispiness potential.
- Craft a flavor-packed seasoning blend by combining olive oil with aromatic spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne for subtle heat.
- Massage the fragrant spice mixture meticulously into every crevice of the chicken thighs, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration and skin coverage.
- Carefully arrange seasoned thighs inside air fryer basket, positioning skin-side down to promote initial rendering of fat and developing crisp texture.
- Activate air fryer at 400F (200C), initiating a precise 10-minute cooking cycle to establish foundational crispness.
- Gently flip chicken thighs, revealing golden-brown skin, and continue cooking for an additional 8-12 minutes until internal temperature confidently reaches 165F (75C).
- Allow freshly cooked chicken to rest momentarily, permitting juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Present your culinary creation alongside complementary accompaniments like roasted vegetables, herbed rice, or tangy dipping sauces for a complete gastronomic experience.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and golden-brown skin.
- Customize spice blend by adjusting cayenne for heat level or adding smoked paprika for deeper flavor complexity.
- Check internal temperature with meat thermometer to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked chicken without drying out.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to help redistribute juices, keeping meat tender and preventing moisture loss.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg