Description
Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs deliver crispy, golden perfection with minimal effort. Seasoned with a zesty spice blend, these tender morsels promise a quick, delicious meal that will satisfy your craving for foolproof home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) paprika
- 3 teaspoons (15 g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) dried thyme
Sweetener:
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) brown sugar
Instructions
- Gently blot chicken thighs with absorbent paper to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Transfer dried chicken thighs into a medium mixing container.
- Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the chicken, massaging it thoroughly with clean hands to create an even coating.
- In a separate small mixing vessel, blend together kosher salt, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, powdered onion, dried thyme leaves, and organic brown sugar using a fork until perfectly combined.
- Sprinkle the aromatic seasoning mixture across the chicken, utilizing tongs to gently toss and ensure complete coverage of each piece.
- For maximum flavor infusion, wrap the seasoned chicken tightly with plastic film and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- Prepare the air fryer by preheating to 380°F (193°C) for approximately 3 minutes to create an optimal cooking environment.
- Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down inside the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not overlap.
- Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 10 minutes to initiate the crisping process.
- Carefully flip chicken thighs using tongs and continue cooking for an additional 7-8 minutes.
- Verify doneness by checking the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) using a digital meat thermometer.
- Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Prep ahead by patting chicken thighs completely dry to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin that locks in maximum flavor and prevents sogginess.
- Marinating overnight intensifies the spice blend, allowing salt, paprika, and herbs to deeply penetrate the meat for a more robust taste experience.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken that’s juicy inside and crisp outside, preventing any risk of undercooking.
- Space chicken thighs evenly in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote even cooking and achieve that desirable crispy exterior all around.
- Skin-side down cooking method helps render fat and create a beautifully crisp texture, transforming ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 440 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg