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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy Weeknight Dinner

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are a quick and easy weeknight dinner that delivers perfectly crunchy skin and juicy meat in under 30 minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re a crowd-pleasing, foolproof recipe perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  3. Mix the seasoning in a small bowl: kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne (if using).
  4. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it in, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides.
  5. Place the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
  7. Flip the chicken thighs using tongs.
  8. Continue cooking for another 10-14 minutes until internal temperature reaches 175-185°F and skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

For extra crispiness, increase temperature to 425°F for the last 3-4 minutes after flipping. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed. Let chicken come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking for even doneness. Resting is non-negotiable for juicy meat.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-weeknight-dinner/