Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—these air fryer chicken thighs are packed with flavor and cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 6–8 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on preferred for crispiness)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
🔹 Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper to taste
🍳 Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl or plate
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
🔸 Step 1: Preheat Air Fryer
- Preheat to 200°C (400°F) for 3–5 minutes
🔸 Step 2: Prep Chicken
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels
👉 Helps create crispy skin - Rub with olive oil
🔸 Step 3: Season
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
- Coat chicken evenly
🔸 Step 4: Arrange in Basket
- Place thighs skin-side down first
- Leave space between pieces
🔸 Step 5: Air Fry
🔹 Bone-In Thighs:
- Cook 18–22 minutes
🔹 Boneless Thighs:
- Cook 14–16 minutes
👉 Flip halfway through cooking
✔ Internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F)
🔸 Step 6: Rest
- Let rest 3–5 minutes before serving
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Mashed potatoes 🥔
- Rice or quinoa 🍚
- Roasted vegetables 🥦
- Salad 🥗
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Dry skin = crispier chicken
✔ Don’t overcrowd basket
✔ Bone-in thighs stay juicier
✔ Add BBQ sauce during last 2 minutes if desired
🔄 Variations
🌶️ Spicy
Add cayenne or chili powder
🧄 Garlic Parmesan
Add parmesan after cooking
🍯 Honey Garlic
Brush with honey garlic sauce
🍋 Lemon Herb
Add lemon zest and herbs
❓ FAQs
Can I cook from frozen?
Yes, add 5–8 extra minutes.
Why isn’t the skin crispy?
Chicken may have too much moisture or basket is crowded.
Can I stack them?
Best cooked in a single layer.
⚖️ Approx. Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~250–350
- Protein: ~25g
- Fat: ~18g
- Carbs: ~1g
⚖️ WW Points (Estimated)
🔹 Skinless Boneless Thighs
👉 4–5 WW Points
🔹 Skin-On Bone-In Thighs
👉 6–8 WW Points
🔻 Chicken Breast Alternative
👉 1–3 WW Points