Air Fryer Spiced Chicken Thighs Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Thighs seasoned with a blend of smoked paprika, garlic, and aromatic spices, cooked to perfection in just 25 minutes. This recipe yields juicy, tender chicken with a crispy skin, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs
- 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on, about 2.25 lbs.)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning Mix
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
Instructions
- Mix the Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until evenly blended to create the seasoning mix.
- Preheat the Air Fryer and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF. Meanwhile, pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure crispy skin when cooked.
- Season the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and drizzle the cooking oil over them. Add the seasoning mix and toss the chicken thoroughly until each piece is well coated with the oil and spice blend.
- Initial Cook: Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side up. Cook for 10 minutes at 400ºF to start rendering the fat and crisping the skin.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the chicken thighs over and continue cooking for another 8 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning on the other side.
- Final Crisp and Check Temperature: Flip the chicken thighs back to skin side up and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature; it should reach at least 165ºF for safe consumption. If needed, cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve: Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite simple sides, enjoying the juicy interior and crispy skin.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve crispier skin.
- Using a meat thermometer ensures the chicken is safely cooked without drying out.
- You can adjust cayenne pepper quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the air fryer model and size of chicken thighs.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.