Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs

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Cook bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in the air fryer for tender meat and crispy skin.

Chandra Ram

Published on May 6, 2024

Tested by

Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs — Photo:
Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Julian Hensaring / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless

Active Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

From barbecuing to pan-searing, there are so many different ways to cook chicken thighs. This readily available cut of chicken is beloved by home cooks and pros alike because they’re fatty and forgiving, so they’re nearly impossible to overcook. Here, we call for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which are even juicier and develop a crispy, crackling skin in the air fryer. Season the thighs evenly with salt, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl, then place them in the air fryer to cook for about 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do chicken thighs take in the air fryer?

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs take 15 to 20 minutes to cook in the air fryer. The cooking time will depend on their size, so check them with a meat thermometer to see if they are done.
What temperature should bone-in skin on chicken thighs be cooked to?

Chicken thighs should always be cooked to 160℉ to 165℉. To check the internal temperature of the chicken, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Once you remove the meat from the heat source (in this case, the air fryer), the internal temperature will continue to rise by about five degrees, so take care as to not overcook the chicken.
How do you cook boneless chicken thighs in the air fryer?

You can prepare boneless chicken thighs the same way as bone-in thighs, but they will take less time; about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on their size.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

The spice rub for these chicken thighs is made with ground cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Wondering if your spices are still good? Give them a quick whiff. If they still have a strong, pleasant aroma, that’s a sign that they’ll deliver great flavor in your dish. If they don’t have a strong smell, it’s time to toss them.

Make ahead

The spice mixture can be combined and stored in a cool, dry cabinet for up to one month.

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Ingredients

2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
8 (6-ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Directions

Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Combine salt, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Pat chicken dry with paper towels then season with spice mixture.
Place the chicken, skin-side down, in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Use tongs to turn chicken thighs over, then continue cooking them until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F, 5 to 10 minutes more. Remove chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 2 minutes before serving.