Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are so easy to make and delicious. I love the taste of crispy fried chicken but frying chicken in oil isn’t healthy to do often. So to get crispy fried chicken and avoid the fat that comes with deep frying. I use my air fryer. Air frying can yield the crispiest chicken. It’s healthier and the clean up is quick and easy. In today’s blog I will share my recipe for crispy air fryer chicken thighs.
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Watch Video Tutorial for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are full of flavor and so easy to cook in an air fryer. The dark meat remains tender while the skin crisps up beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to your thigh pieces and promotes even browning, resulting in a crispy, golden exterior. It also adds a subtle richness to the flavor.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is used to help achieve that crispy skin we love. It raises the pH of the chicken’s surface and dries it out slightly, which enhances the crispiness when air fried, giving you that satisfying crunch.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika provides a smoky flavor and enhances the color giving the chicken thighs a barbecue-style aroma and appearance.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a savory tastes to the chicken. It’s aromatic flavor pairs perfectly with the smoky and earthy seasonings.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder adds a sweet and slightly tangy depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish without overpowering it.
- Italian Seasoning: Italian Seasoning brings a flavor that complements the robust flavors of the chicken and seasonings, adding complexity to the dish.
- Salt: Salt is essential for enhancing all the other flavors, ensuring that every bite of chicken is well-seasoned and flavorful.
- Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a touch of heat and earthiness, balancing the other seasonings and providing a mild spicy kick to the chicken.
What You Will Need
Instructions for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Preparing the Chicken and Seasonings
In a small bowl combine the salt, black pepper and smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and baking powder.
Make sure your chicken thighs have been thoroughly washed and dried, then cover with the olive oil. Mix well to ensure each piece has been generously coated.
Step 2: Season the Chicken Thighs
Next sprinkle the seasoning mixture on the chicken and mix assuring each piece is well coated.
Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken Thighs
Place the chicken lthighs in the air fryer and assure they are evening spaced to allow the air to flow around the chicken pieces.
Heat the air fryer to 385 and allow the chicken to cook for 25 minutes or until it has an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
What to Eat With Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air fryer chicken thighs pair beautifully with a variety of side dishes that complement their crispy exterior and flavorful seasonings. Mac and Cheese is a great choice, offering a comfort food delight that compliment the crispy chicken. To add to this taste of Southern comfort, candied yams and collard greens would round off this meal perfectly.
If you’re craving something a little lighter try pairing your chicken with potato salad. The creaminess of the potato salad create a refreshing balance against the chicken’s bold flavors. Air fryer chicken pairs so well with so many side dishes. Experiment with what you like to create a meal you will love.
What to Do With Leftovers Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
To store air fryer chicken thighs, ensure that they have cooled to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator. Air fryer chicken thighs can last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to store them in a airtight container. If you need to store the chicken thighs for a longer period, they can be easily placed in the freezer. Wrap each chicken thigh individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn, and then place them in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Properly stored, chicken legs can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Always label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
When reheating, it’s important to restore the crispiness of the chicken. For refrigerated chicken thighs, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and reheat the chicken for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Frozen chicken thighs should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator for the best results, but if reheating directly from frozen, increase the air fryer time to 12-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat chicken legs in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, ensuring they are heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can result in rubbery texture and uneven heating.
Other Great Recipes
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings – crispy wings perfect for game day or any day of the week.
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo – hearty and tasty gumbo that is sure to please any crowd.
- The Best Southern Oxtails Recipe – delicious fall off the bone oxtails.
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs – these juicy chicken legs are great for Sunday soul food dinner.
- The Secret to Perfect Fried Chicken – if you want to learn the secret to making perfect fried chicken then your in the right place.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
4
servings8
minutes23
minutesIngredients
2 lbs Chicken Thighs
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
Directions
- In a small bowl combine the salt, black pepper and smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian Seasoning, salt, black pepper and baking powder.
- Make sure your chicken thighs have been thoroughly washed and dried, then cover with the olive oil. Mix well to ensure each piece has been generously coated.
- Next sprinkle the seasoning mixture on the chicken and mix assuring each piece is well coated.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer and assure they are evening spaced to allow the air to flow around the chicken pieces.
- Heat the air fryer to 385 and allow the chicken to cook for 25 minutes or until it has an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Recipe Video
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