Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs |

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

Author: EsmeSalon
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Category: Poultry Recipes
Method: Air Fryer

Description

These crispy air fryer chicken thighs come out crunchy on the outside and juicy in the middle, with just enough flavour from the paprika. It’s one of those easy dinners you throw together on a busy night, and somehow everyone still thinks you spent ages in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Units Scale

2.2 lb (1 kg) chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
4 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp crushed black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Clean and then pat the 2.2 lb (1 kg) chicken thighs dry with a paper towel first. This helps the coating stick better and gives you crispier skin later.
Add the chicken thighs to a large bowl.
Pour over the 4 tbsp vegetable oil and toss well until every piece is lightly coated.
In a separate bowl, mix the 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 3/4 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper. If you prefer more spices, go for it. I handled it on the fly, but I will use more next time. It’s totally up to you.
Coat each chicken thigh in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing it on lightly with your hands so it sticks properly.
Let the coated chicken thighs rest for about 5 minutes before air frying. This helps the coating cling better rather than blow off in the basket.
Preheat your air fryer to 400⁰F (200⁰C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a bit of space between them. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in batches.
Air fry at 400⁰F (200⁰C) for 25 minutes.
Turn the chicken thighs carefully with tongs, then continue cooking for another 15 to 20 minutes until crispy and deeply browned.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. The coating stays crispier that way, even though it’s tempting to grab one straight away.