Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are seasoned with simple pantry spices and cooked until perfectly tender with golden, flavorful edges. They're quick, easy, and perfect for meal prep, salads, wraps, grain bowls, or serving alongside your favorite sides.
Servings: 4 chicken thighs
Calories: 409kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chives finely chopped for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Mix the Seasoning: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer: Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Air Fry: Cook at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 175°F–185°F.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing, dicing, or serving. Garnish with finely chopped chives.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the seasoning mixture. This helps the oil and spices stick better and promotes browning.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer so the hot air can circulate evenly around each piece.
- Chicken thighs are best cooked to 175°F–185°F. While chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, thighs become more tender and juicy when cooked a little longer.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken thighs. Always use an instant-read thermometer for the most accurate results.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing or dicing. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
- These air fryer chicken thighs are perfect for salads, pasta salads, wraps, sandwiches, grain bowls, and meal prep throughout the week.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently or enjoy cold in salads.
Nutrition
Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 279IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg