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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Garlic Paprika Rub Recipe

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This recipe features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs coated in a flavorful garlic paprika rub and cooked in an air fryer to achieve crispy skin and juicy meat. Perfect for quick, weeknight dinners with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds or 700g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture (about 2 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix well (1 minute).
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs, then toss them in the spice mix until evenly coated (3 minutes).
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping (1 minute).
  6. Cook for 12 minutes skin-side down.
  7. Flip the thighs skin-side up using tongs (1 minute).
  8. Cook for another 10-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crisp.
  9. Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to avoid steaming. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. If your air fryer basket sticks, lightly oil it or use perforated parchment paper. For reheating leftovers, use the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic paprika rub, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, quick chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-garlic-paprika-rub-recipe/