Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (Only 3 Ingredients)

If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with pretty much anything that uses the air fryer. Air fryer recipes come together in a fraction of their regular cooking time, plus they give you a nice crispy exterior that you only get when frying.

But, if you ask me to choose a few of my top 10 air fryer staples, these chicken thighs are easily on the list. They’re a busy weeknight staple in our home, especially now as my boys are teenagers and their schedules are full of sports, friends, and “hang-outs” almost every night of the week. When you barely have time to think, this chicken thighs recipe comes to the rescue in under 30 minutes.

How To Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

There are few things easier than prepping and cooking these chicken thighs. 5 minutes of prep, three ingredients, and an air fryer are all you’ll need!

• Prep the chicken: Trim and season your bone-in chicken with the garlic parsley salt and paprika.
• Cook the chicken: Place the thighs into the air fryer basket skin-side up. Air fry at 380°F for about 25 minutes.

Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken Thighs

Haven’t used an air fryer too much? Here are a few tips and tricks that will make you a master of your new favorite appliance.

• Trim the chicken thighs: A little bit of fat is good for flavor and juiciness, but too much isn’t pleasant. Remove the excess fat to speed up the cooking process.
• Leave the skin on: The air fryer makes chicken skin so, so, so crispy. You’re truly missing out if you remove it!
• Avoid overcrowding: Air fryers work by circulating extremely hot air around the surface of the food. Therefore, it’s best to leave some space around the chicken for maximum crispiness.
• Adjust the seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. Have a favorite chicken seasoning blend? Use it! This recipe is as versatile as it gets.
• Let the chicken sit at room temp: If possible, let the chicken sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to bring their temperature up a little bit. If you plop super cold chicken into a hot air fryer, it can cook unevenly.
• Check the internal temperature for doneness: On average, bone-in chicken thighs take about 25 minutes to cook. Time can vary a few minutes depending on the size and thickness of the thighs. If you opt to make boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer, keep in mind they do take a bit less time. Either way, check the internal temperature when you think the chicken is done. It is done when the internal temperature reads 165°F (in the deepest part of the meat).

Storing & Reheating Crispy Thigh Leftovers

Meal prepping is life and these air fryer chicken thighs are the perfect protein to cook in large batches. Here are my favorite methods to store and reheat the thighs to enjoy again later.

• Refrigerator: To store the thighs for up to a week, place them in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Freezer: Freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
• Reheating: For the crispiest reheat, plop the thighs into the air fryer for a couple of minutes. They’ll taste super fresh!

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes: Love baked potatoes but hate waiting? This recipe cuts the time down to 30 minutes!
• Crispy Air Fryer Cod: Skip the oil frying and keep the crunch on this perfectly air-fried cod.
• Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp: A sweet and salty favorite perfect for your next dinner party.
• Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Crispy and Juicy): Another top air fried chicken favorite!

Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Print Pin

Servings

4 servings

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

These easy air fryer chicken thighs are juicy on the inside and extra crispy on the outside. They're my obsession — and the best part? Only 3 ingredients!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken thighs bone-in (or boneless)
• 2 tbsp garlic parsley salt
• 1 tbsp paprika

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Trim off any excess fat and gristle from your chicken. Season the chicken with garlic parsley salt and paprika.
  
• Place the chicken thighs into the air fryer basket with the skin-side facing up.
  
• Air fry the chicken at 380°F for about 25 minutes. Be aware that the cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your thighs. The internal temperature of the cooked chicken should read 165°F.
  

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 501 Calories from Fat 342

% Daily Value*

Fat 38g58%

Saturated Fat 10g50%

Cholesterol 222mg74%

Sodium 3664mg153%

Potassium 504mg14%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 1014IU20%

Calcium 22mg2%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.