These incredibly easy air fryer chicken thighs are juicy and crispy with just the right amount of herbs and seasonings. This easy recipe works perfectly for bone-in or boneless chicken and skin-on or skinless.
These air fryer chicken thighs are seasoned to absolute perfection. Using your air fryer is a great way to get the crispiest skin and the juiciest chicken.
Air frying is the best way to cook the crispiest chicken thighs in less time and without deep frying. Coated with my simple homemade chicken seasoning, these flavorful chicken thighs not only make an easy dinner for busy weeknights that your whole family will love, but they’re perfect for healthy eating meal prep too.
The best thing about serving chicken is that it is also so versatile. Adding a delicious and creamy sauce like this white bbq sauce or Peruvian creamy green sauce can create an entirely new recipe.
And adding side dishes like Instant Pot Risotto or Sous Vide Asparagus makes it the perfect meal.
Tip: You can add halved brussels sprouts, broccoli, etc. at the halfway point and it will cook right along with your chicken.
Ingredients needed
- Olive Oil
- Chicken Thighs – Bone in or boneless, skin on or skinless (see tips below)
- Kosher Salt
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
Tip: To switch things up, try swapping in my Chicken Wing Rub, Italian Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning in place of the herbs called for in this recipe.
How to make air fryer chicken thighs
- In a small bowl combine the salt and spices with oil to create a paste.
- Coat raw chicken thighs with the seasoning mixture.
- Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook your chicken thighs at 360-degrees for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.
- Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your chicken thighs. If they are not fully cooked, return them to the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes longer.
For skin on chicken thighs
For skin on chicken thighs, after the cook time is up, increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook skin side up for an additional 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
How to make ahead & store
Store leftovers in an airtight container (these are my favorite!) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will also keep in the freezer for up to three months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
Recipe FAQs
360-degrees makes for deliciously moist and flavorful chicken in the air fryer.
Cook your chicken thighs at 360-degrees for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your chicken thighs.
For best results, first let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for about four minutes, flipping halfway through.
Wine pairings
Sides for air fried chicken
- Vegan Caesar Salad
- Sauteed Spinach
- Easy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
- Glazed Carrots
- Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
- Easy Arugula Salad
- More → side dishes to serve with chicken
Sauces for chicken thighs
- Buffalo Sauce
- Peri Peri Sauce
- Jerk Sauce
- Mushroom Sauce
- Honey Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- White BBQ Sauce
- More → 25+ tasty sauces for chicken
More air fryer recipes
- Buffalo Wings
- Croutons
- Chicken Drumsticks
- Burgers
- Toasted Ravioli
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Meatloaf
- Chicken Breasts
- Baked Potatoes
- Shrimp
- Chicken Tenders
- Chinese Chicken Wings
More poultry recipes
- Sous Vide Chicken Breasts
- Sous Vide Miso Chicken Recipe
- Leftover chicken soup
- Easy Turkey Swedish Meatballs
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Did you make these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?
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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skinless or skin on )
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (***)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the salt and spices with oil to create a paste. Coat chicken thighs with the paste.
- Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 360-degrees for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165-degrees.
- Can add halved brussels sprouts, broccoli, etc. at the halfway point.
- For skin on chicken thighs, after the cook time is up, increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook skin side up for an additional 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
Note: This recipe was adjusted in January 2023 to change the amount of salt in the recipe. Some readers commented that the chicken was too salty for them. This is due to the fact that I typically cook with Diamond Kosher Salt which is about 50% less salty than table or other salt (more on that here).
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Black powder or was that supposed to be black pepper in the ingredent list?
Yes – Thanks for catching that Karen!
The chicken turned out very good! Very flavorful !
Simple. & the spices had the house smelling good!
I’m so glad you liked it!
Yum – the whole family wants me to make these again. Great recipe!
These were fabulous! Thank you!!
You’re welcome Doreen!
Do you put the thighs with skin on down first meaning bottom up or bottom down?
Hi Dorothy – I would start with the skin side down. Hope that helps!
This might be a silly question, but my oven has an “air fryer” mode. Do I still follow the same temps & times?
Hi Lori – I’m so sorry, but I’ve never used an air fryer oven. I would think it would be the same, but the oven will probably need to be preheated for longer.
Hello,
I want to try your recipe, but my air fryer will only fit 2 thighs, it has two sides. Can I still cook them at the same temperature and cook time or do I have to adjust?
Thank you!
Hi Angel! I would still cook at the same temperature.
Made this recipe last night for dinner and it was not only easy and quick, it was delicious.
Thanks Joan!
Hello, got a Air Fryer for Father’s Day and have been cooking non-stop since, tonight I’m trying your chicken thigh recipe as I’m writing this and so far the house is starting to smell good. Well dinner was served (wife & I) and it was a hit she loved it and is starting to understand why I have been wanting one for awhile. Thanks for sharing and have this one book marked. 🤘🏽
Thank you Andy! I’m glad you liked them!
Hi, with bone-in, does it still cook the same temperature and time? Thank you 🙏
Hi Lisa – Bone in thighs may cook a bit quicker. I would check them a minute or two early. Hope that helps!
Hello, first time using my air fryer. Do I need to put parchment paper down?
Hi Tiffany – I’ve never used parchment in my air fryer, so you should be good. Enjoy!
Thank you for this recipe. Ours turned out great and was a big hit with my husband. I’m printing this one out to add to our go to recipes.
Thanks Nikki!
The chicKen is great but the vegetables are not. Won’t do vegetables like that again.
Hello. I made this and my family loved it. If I want to make it for a larger group, I’ll need to adapt for a regular oven. How would I adjust the time and temp? Also I would use boneless/skinless.
Can you use bone in thighs?
Hi David – you sure can!
Question – How long would you suggest cooking chicken breast tenderloins?? I don’t want to overcook them. Thanks!!
Hi Darcy – Here’s my post on cooking air fryer chicken breasts. With tenderloins, I would probably check them for doneness around the 10 minute mark. This post on my air fryer chicken tenders may also be helpful. 🙂
So easy so yummy! I made with sliced orange and red peppers on the side (added half way through – could have added 3/4 way through but it was still wonderful). I served with rice.
Next time I will add slightly less salt but that’s a petdknal preference.
Thanks Nancy! I love your idea to add in some peppers!
Yum – the whole family wants me to make these again. Great recipe!
These are SO easy and SO delicious! My kids are loving these – especially with ranch. Perfect snack or meal. Love it!
I’m so happy to hear that Carol!
Loved this spice rub for my chicken thighs. Thank you!
You’re welcome Brooke!
I made this for dinner tonight and it was so good! The chicken was super tender, moist, and flavorful. My husband, who is a picky eater, asked me if I would be able to make it again, the same way. Wow! That is high compliments to your recipe. It really was delicious, and so easy. And cleanup is a breeze with the air fryer!
Thanks Marlene! I’m so glad you gave it a try!
I’ve just started using an an air fryer. Does the oven need to be preheated?
Hi Susan – Most models call for preheating. When you set the temp, it will say “preheat” or something like that. It isn’t always necessary though, because air fryers heat up so quickly.
This recipe is so delish! Super easy too, which I love. I added a pinch of red pepper flakes. It will become a regular for us. Thanks!
Thanks Brenda!
5 star++ Outstanding recipe! What a delicious blend of spices, and such tender chicken thighs! This recipe is definitely going to be made weekly! Thank you for sharing such a gem!!
Thank you so much Susan!
This recipe has become my go to favourite. I make it all the time now and I’ve added it to my favourites Pin! Thanks for sharing. I do double the recipe, it’s so quick and easy and my husband loves it!
Thank you so much Pamela!