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Irresistible Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

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This recipe delivers perfectly crispy, juicy chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer, offering a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1.5 to 2 pounds / 700-900g)
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels for 5 minutes to remove surface moisture.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper; mix well.
  3. Drizzle olive or avocado oil over the chicken thighs and toss them in the bowl with the seasoning mix, coating evenly on all sides.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
  6. Cook for 12 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
  7. Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up using tongs.
  8. Continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
  9. Check doneness with a meat thermometer; cook an additional 2-3 minutes if needed, watching closely to prevent burning.
  10. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to seal in the juices.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before seasoning is crucial for crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent soggy skin. Flip the chicken only once halfway through cooking. Rest the chicken after cooking to keep it juicy. If your air fryer smokes, add a little water to the drip tray. For boneless thighs, reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes and check early to avoid drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, easy dinner, healthy chicken recipe, quick chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken, dairy-free chicken

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/irresistible-crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner/