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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy Golden Skin Recipe

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These air fryer chicken thighs deliver golden, shatteringly crisp skin and juicy, tender meat in under 30 minutes. A happy accident turned into a go-to weeknight dinner that’s quick, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or rosemary)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels, removing all visible moisture.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Add chicken thighs and toss until evenly coated, getting seasoning under the skin if possible.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
  4. Place seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side up, without touching. Cook in batches if needed.
  5. Cook at 380°F for 18 minutes. Halfway through (at 9 minutes), flip the thighs using tongs.
  6. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach at least 165°F, preferably 170°F. Cook in 2-minute increments if needed.
  7. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the skin completely dry is essential for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the basket. Preheating the air fryer helps kickstart crisping. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. For boneless thighs, reduce cooking time to 12-14 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, golden skin chicken

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-golden-skin-recipe/