A simple and scrumptious recipe that requires almost no effort, these Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs are sure to become a weeknight staple!
Now that I’ve had an air fryer for a few years, it’s hard to imagine a time when I didn’t have one. It’s become the workhorse of my kitchen, making dinner preparation incredibly quick and easy. No more having to fire up the oven. No more worrying about grease splashing out of the pan. No more babysitting a dish over the stovetop. The best part about cooking with an air fryer is that it allows me to be hands-free. In fact, most nights I’m able to squeeze in reading a full chapter of a book while cooking.
Of course, I also fully appreciate how my air fryer can crisp up dishes without the use of much oil, or even in cases like this recipe, no oil at all. If you’ve never cooked chicken thighs in an air fryer before, it’s about to become your new favorite thing. It gets super crispy on the outside while the inside is bursting with juicy flavor. The lemon in this recipe lends a nice zesty tang, while the assortment of herbs and spices adds a delicious savory kick.
Not only is this recipe fast and flavorful, it’s also very affordable to make. Plus, it’s easy to switch up the seasonings whenever you’d like to try something new. It’s sure to become a fave in your dinner rotation!
Are Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs Healthy?
When it comes to making chicken, using an air fryer is usually the healthier option. The air fryer cuts out most of the oil that you’d normally use to make traditional fried chicken, as it uses intense heat and rapid air circulation to make food crispy. This recipe uses no oil, which helps to reduce the amount of fat in the dish. The chicken thighs themselves are a good source of lean protein, though the skin does have fat, and they are also low in carbs.
Should I Use Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs?
Conventional wisdom might tell you to debone the chicken thighs before cooking to help make them a little crispier. But this recipe calls to keep the bone in the chicken thighs because that will help the chicken stay moist. Likewise, it’s important to leave the skin on the chicken thighs. When cooked in the air fryer, the skin is what is going to make the chicken crispy and retain the flavor of the spices that you rub onto it. That said, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but just know that they won’t be as crispy, juicy, or flavorful.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
If you have some leftover chicken thighs, allow them to cool completely and then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be good for up to 4 days. For longer storage, leftover chicken thighs will also keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you freeze them, make sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. Either way, the best way to reheat your leftovers is to put them back in the air fryer on reheat mode so they can get crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Any side dish that goes well with fried chicken will be a great complement to this recipe. It could be as simple as a Tossed Salad, Pimento Mac And Cheese, or a veggie like Sautéed Green Beans. You also can’t go wrong with a serving of Healthy Mashed Potatoes or Baked Corn On The Cob.
Ingredients
- 1 lemon halved
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs such as thyme or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. The high heat ensures the chicken will start cooking immediately and the skin get crispy.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the chicken thighs. Evenly sprinkle the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and dried herbs over both sides of the chicken. Gently rub the seasonings into the skin and meat to infuse the flavors.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down, taking care not to overcrowd the basket for even cooking. Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes.
- After 12 minutes, carefully flip the chicken thighs using tongs to ensure the skin gets evenly crispy. Continue to air fry for another 12 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, the skin is crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Squeeze the remaining lemon half over the chicken thighs, and serve.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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