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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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Crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs ready in just 20 minutes. This simple recipe uses pantry staples for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 lbs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Mix into a paste. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
  5. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
  6. Carefully flip the chicken thighs using tongs.
  7. Continue air frying for another 8-10 minutes, until skin is deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C).
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Let chicken rest before serving to retain juices. For boneless thighs, reduce cooking time to 12-14 minutes. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

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

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