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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Perfect Easy Fall Dinner

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are quick, easy, and perfect for cozy fall dinners. With simple ingredients and a foolproof technique, you get shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels, removing all moisture from the skin.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Drizzle olive oil over the chicken, then sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over all sides. Rub the seasoning into the chicken, including under the skin if possible.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (about 3-5 minutes). Let the seasoned chicken sit at room temperature while preheating.
  4. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping. Cook in batches if necessary.
  5. Cook for 12 minutes at 380°F. Do not open the basket during this time.
  6. Carefully flip each thigh using tongs. Cook for another 10-12 minutes, until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  7. Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding the bone). Aim for 165°F, or pull at 160°F for juicier meat (carryover cooking will finish it).
  8. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.

Notes

Patting the skin dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the basket. Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even results. Use a thermometer for accuracy. For extra crispiness, increase temperature to 400°F for the last 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, easy fall dinner, quick chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken, low-carb chicken

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