By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 13, 2023
These air fryer chicken thighs are one of my favorite quick and easy dinners to make when I’m feeling uninspired. Simple seasonings really make this chicken pop, and the air fryer makes them so crispy and delicious. No matter when I make them, my family is always happy to devour them! They make me feel like supermom with so little effort!
5-Star Review
“These chicken thighs were so delicious. Easy recipe, quick cooking with the air fryer-can’t beat that!!” -Cheryl
My air fryer is quickly becoming my favorite kitchen appliance. It makes everything so much easier and healthier– and super crispy, too! Seasoned simply and coated with olive oil, these air fryer chicken thighs are ridiculously juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. They take less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making them one of my absolute favorite easy weeknight dinners!
What’s in This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe?
- Chicken Thighs: I tested this recipe with bone-in, skin-on thighs. This is my favorite option for juicy, crispy chicken! Boneless thighs will cook through faster, so check the temperature about 5 minutes earlier.
- Oil : I coated my thighs in olive oil to help the seasonings stick and to crisp up the skin.
- Spices : I used a mix of salt, white pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to create a savory coating.
Tips for Success
- The thighs should be at room temperature when you put them in the air fryer. I like to take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before I plan to cook them so that they cook through evenly.
- Preheat the fryer before adding the chicken so that it cooks evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you want to double the recipe, I recommend cooking the chicken in two batches.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover air fryer chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to wrap each thigh separately in foil to help keep moisture off the skin. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F air fryer for 4-6 minutes, or until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These simply-seasoned, crispy air fryer chicken thighs make the perfect main dish for any meal. I love pairing them with sweet and juicy air fryer corn on the cob for a true comfort combo, then balancing things out with a hearty kale salad full of fresh greens. To round it all out, I add a side of warm, buttery cornbread —the kind that makes the whole plate feel cozy and complete.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- ▢ 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Combine the seasonings in a bowl. ½ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Coat the chicken thighs in olive oil on one side. Rub seasonings on chicken thighs. 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Flip the thighs and coat with remaining olive oil and seasonings.
- Spray basket with non stick cooking spray.
- Place chicken thighs into basket and cook for 15 minutes, skin side up.
- Flip chicken thighs and cook 3-4 minutes skin side down, or until internal chicken temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Air Fry Chicken Thighs Step by Step
Mix the Seasonings: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Combine ½ teaspoon of white pepper, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of ground paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper in a bowl.
Season the Thighs: Coat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in 2 tablespoons of olive oil on one side. Rub half of the seasonings on the chicken thighs. Flip the thighs and coat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and seasonings.
Cook the Thighs: Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken thighs into the basket and cook for 15 minutes, skin side up.
Flip and Cook: Flip chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes, skin side down, or until the internal chicken temperature has reached 165°F. Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to Try!
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Combine the seasonings in a bowl. ½ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Coat the chicken thighs in olive oil on one side. Rub seasonings on chicken thighs. 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Flip the thighs and coat with remaining olive oil and seasonings.
- Spray basket with non stick cooking spray.
- Place chicken thighs into basket and cook for 15 minutes, skin side up.
- Flip chicken thighs and cook 3-4 minutes skin side down, or until internal chicken temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
