Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe delivers incredibly juicy meat with irresistibly crispy, golden skin, all bursting with bold, savory flavor. It’s been tested and perfected to ensure foolproof results, from the spice rub to the secret for crispy skin (hint: it’s baking powder + oil spritz!), with an optional sweet and spicy honey sriracha glaze to take things over the top. You’ll find step-by-step photos, expert tips, variations, and all the tricks you need to make this recipe a crispy, crave-worthy success.

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chicken thighs in air fryer with a glaze being drizzled on

Why you’ll love These air fryer chicken thighs

This recipe has been thoroughly tested and perfected to deliver maximum flavor, juiciness, and crispiness—here’s why you’ll love it:

Quick and easy: No marinade needed—whisk the spices, pat them on, and air fry for crispy, juicy perfection.
Shatteringly crispy skin: Thanks to drying the skin, adding baking powder to the rub, and spritzing with oil, the skin crisps up beautifully without deep frying.
Phenomenal flavor: A bold, smoky-sweet rub made from pantry staples infuses every bite with stand-alone deliciousness.
Extra juicy meat: Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay incredibly moist and tender thanks to their higher fat content and the air fryer’s rapid heat circulation.
Better than oven-baked: Cooks faster than the oven and delivers crispier skin without needing to preheat for long or dirtying extra pans.
Crave-worthy glaze (optional but irresistible): Finish with a quick honey Sriracha glaze that’s sticky, sweet, spicy, and next-level delicious.

showing how to cook chicken thighs in air fryer by cooking until crispy

Air Fried Chicken Thighs Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Bone-in chicken thighs are my FAVORITE and the best choice for air frying because they stay extra juicy, have more flavor, crispier skin, and are more difficult to overcook than boneless thighs.
Spice blend: A well-balanced mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, coriander, ginger, and pepper adds warm, savory depth and a subtle kick that makes the chicken stand-alone, praise-worthy.
Baking powder: This secret weapon helps dry out the chicken skin as it cooks, making it extra crispy and golden in the air fryer.
Olive oil: A drizzle before seasoning helps the spices stick, while a quick spritz after aids in even browning and maximum crunch.
Honey Sriracha Glaze: This is optional, but SENSATIONAL. It’s a quick whisking of honey, sriracha, lime juice, soy sauce, and Dijon.

air fryer chicken thighs ingredients: bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, spices and baking powder

How to Cook Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Bring the chicken to room temperature: Remove the chicken thighs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels. Let them rest, skin-side-up, for 20 minutes until they reach room temperature.
Step 2: Make honey sriracha glaze. Whisk the ingredients in a bowl.

showing how to cook chicken thighs in air fryer by whisking the glaze ingredients together in a bowl

Step 3: Make the Spice Rub. In a medium bowl, whisk the spices together.

showing how to cook chicken thighs in air fryer by mixing the spices together in a bowl

Step 4: Coat the Chicken. Drizzle the chicken thighs lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle half of the rub over the chicken and pat it in, flip, and repeat with the other side.

showing how to cook chicken thighs in air fryer by adding the spice rub to the chicken

Step 5: Air fry. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side down. If you can’t fit them without touching, then cook in batches. Lightly spritz the chicken thighs with cooking oil. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, then continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of a thigh (but not touching bone) registers 170 degrees F.

showing how to cook chicken thighs in air fryer by cooking skin side down in the air fryer before flipping halfway through

What temp to Air Fry Chicken Thighs

Air fry chicken at 400°F. This temperature helps achieve the perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. The high heat quickly renders the fat under the skin, creating a beautifully golden, crackly crust without overcooking the inside. It also locks in moisture, so the dark meat stays flavorful and succulent.

Bonus! This temperature cuts down on cooking time, making it a fast and convenient way to enjoy perfectly cooked chicken thighs.

How long to cook chicken thighs in air fryer

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs typically take 16–22 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer, flipping halfway through. Smaller thighs will cook closer to 16 minutes, and larger thighs will cook closer to 22 minutes.

How long to cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer

To cook frozen bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in the air fryer, cook at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 170°F at the thickest part to ensure they’re fully cooked. If the skin isn’t crisp enough, increase the temperature to 400°F for the last 3–5 minutes.

For best flavor, pat the chicken dry once partially thawed (after about 5–10 minutes of cooking), then brush or spritz with oil and add your spices before finishing the cook time.

air fry chicken thighs Tips

Don’t rinse the chicken. The FDA cautions against rinsing chicken as this can spread bacterial. Additionally, this will water log the skin so it won’t become crispy.
Pat the chicken dry. Pick up each chicken thigh and squeeze it in between paper towels to remove all excess moisture. The drier the skin, the crispier the chicken!
Let the chicken come to room temperature. Room temperature protein is juicier and cooks more evenly because it takes less time to cook, so less moisture is released while cooking. It also relaxes the cold muscle fibers so they release natural moisture while resting, which is then reabsorbed into the muscle for juicier results (otherwise the moisture stays trapped in the fibers).
Know your air fryer: Different models and sizes cook differently—compact, or high-powered, or oven-style air fryers often cook faster and crispier, while larger, less powerful, or basket-style ones may take a bit longer. It’s important to adjust cooking times based on your specific machine and keep an eye on your food the first few times.
Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give the thighs space so air can circulate and crisp the skin evenly—cook in batches if needed.
Use a meat thermometer. Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness so you don’t undercook or overcook your chicken. A meat thermometer means perfectly cooked, tender, juicy chicken ever time! This one is my fav that cooks with the chicken so you know the exact temperature at all times!

top view of chicken thighs in air fryer garnished with green onions

chicken thighs air fryer variations

Here are some tasty chicken thigh seasoning variations for the air fryer to keep things flavorful and exciting. You can also pair them with sauces like teriyaki sauce, pesto, tzatziki , etc.

Classic BBQ: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and chili powder. Finish with a brush of BBQ sauce in the last few minutes. Try my homemade barbecue sauce to elevate the dish!
Lemon Herb: Dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and lemon zest for bright, Mediterranean flavor.
Spicy Cajun: Use store-bought or my easy homemade Cajun for bold Southern heat.
Garlic Parmesan: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Tandoori-inspired: Ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garlic, ginger, and a touch of cayenne pepper.
Spicy. Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice mixture.
Marinated: Try any of my incredible chicken marinades to make chipotle chicken, buffalo chicken, Hawaiian chicken, or Teriyaki chicken! If marinating, I recommend removing the skin because it won’t get as crispy.

showing how to serve chicken thigh air fryer on a plate with air fried vegetables, rice, and freshly squeezed lime

How to serve air fried chicken thighs

These chicken thighs pair with just about everything from rice to salad! Here are some delicious serving ideas:

Rice: Plain rice, coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, pineapple rice, or avocado rice.
Potatoes: Garlic mashed potatoes, twice baked potatoes, potatoes au gratin, Parmesan crusted potatoes or butter potatoes.
Vegetables: Broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, etc., only take about 5 minutes in the air fryer! You can add them while your chicken is resting.
Salads: Tossed salad, Caesar Salad, Apple Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad, and Green Bean Salad.

How to Store chicken thigh air fryer recipe

•Refrigerate: Let the chicken cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
•Freeze: Place the cooked chicken thighs in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze the tray in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the chicken is solid. Transfer the chicken to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Thaw individual pieces of chicken or multiple pieces of chicken in a single layer in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating.

How to reheat chicken thighs in air fryer

For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes until heated through and the skin is crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will soften the skin.

Air Fried Chicken Thigh FAQs

Should I use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer?

Bone-in chicken thighs are the best for air frying because:

•They stay extra juicy: The bone helps insulate the meat, retaining moisture during cooking so the inside stays tender and flavorful.
•More flavor: Bones (and skin, if you keep it on) add rich, savory depth that boneless pieces just can’t match.
•Crispier skin: The slightly longer cook time needed for bone-in pieces gives the skin more time to crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
•Harder to overcook: Bone-in thighs are more forgiving than breasts or boneless cuts, so you’re less likely to dry them out.

How do I make air fryer chicken thighs extra crispy?

For the crispiest chicken thighs, pat the skin dry, drizzle with oil, and season generously. Cooking at 400°F, leaving space between pieces, and using a small spritz of oil will maximize crispiness.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer for chicken thighs?

Yes, preheating the air fryer ensures the chicken starts cooking immediately, giving it a crispier exterior and more even cooking. Preheat for 3–5 minutes before adding the chicken.

up close of serving air fryer chicken thighs recipe with rice, air fried broccoli and air fried bell peppers

Looking for more Chicken Thigh Recipes?

Baked Chicken Thighs
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Garlic Lemon Chicken
Honey Dijon Glazed Chicken
Korean Chicken
Hawaiian Chicken
Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

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Chicken Thigh Air Fryer Recipe

Servings: servings

Total Time: 45

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 20

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Ingredients

CHICKEN & SPICE RUB

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp EACH paprika, garlic powder, salt
1/2 tsp EACH onion powder, ground coriander, ground ginger, pepper
4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (See notes to use boneless thighs)
Olive oil for spritzing/drizzling

HONEY SRIRACHA GLAZE (OPTIONAL)

1/4 cup honey
2 ½ tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon sriracha, more or less to taste

FOR SERVING

Lime wedges
Fresh cilantro and/or green onions

Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels (the drier the skin, the crispier it will get!). Let them rest, skin-side-up, for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400°F using the Air Fry Setting and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Next:
Make Honey Sriracha Glaze: Whisk the ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
Make the Spice Rub: Whisk the spices together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Add Rub: After 20 minutes, drizzle the chicken thighs lightly with olive oil, then rub the oil all over each thigh (top and bottom). Sprinkle half of the rub over the chicken and pat it in (don’t rub or it will clump). Flip, and repeat with the other side.
Air Fry: Add the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side down. If you can’t fit them without touching, then cook in batches. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, and spritz with olive oil (this is my FAVORITE sprayer). Cook an additional 8-15 minutes (depending on size and air fryer model-see Notes) or until an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of a thigh (but not touching bone) registers 170 degrees F (I suggest this digital meat thermometer that cooks with the chicken).
Serve: Let individuals add the glaze to their chicken when ready to enjoy so the skin stays crispy. Garnish with cilantro and/or green onions if desired.

Video

Notes

Know your air fryer: Different models and sizes cook differently—compact, high-powered, or oven-style air fryers often cook faster and crispier, while larger, less powerful, or basket-style ones may take a bit longer. It’s important to adjust cooking times based on your specific machine and keep an eye on your food the first few times..
Use a meat thermometer. Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness so you don’t undercook or overcook your chicken. A meat thermometer means perfectly cooked, tender, juicy chicken ever time! This one is my fav that cooks with the chicken so you know the exact temperature at all times!
For Boneless chicken thighs: Use 5-6 thighs instead of 4. Skip the baking powder in the rub. Air fry the chicken, smooth side down, at 380°F, for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

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2 Comments

Angela says

at

This was sooooo good! I have never cooked meat in my air fryer and i’m not sure why. I usually use it just to warm stuff up but I could not believe how crispy and delicious the chicken came out!

This has definitely been saved for future meals in our home!

- Jen says
  
  at
  
  Yay Angela! Thank you so much for your glowing review! I’m so glad that you loved this recipe and I could help you branch out with your air fryer!