Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

As a busy housewife, you understand the need for quick and flavorful meals that the whole family will love. This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe is a game-changer when it comes to balancing a hectic schedule with a desire to serve delicious, home-cooked meals. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of making these mouthwatering, crispy chicken thighs that are seasoned to perfection.

Why Choose Air Fryer Chicken Thighs?

Life can get pretty hectic, and that’s where the air fryer comes to the rescue. It’s a versatile kitchen appliance that can help you whip up a quick and wholesome meal without compromising on taste. Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it uses significantly less oil, making it a perfect choice for those who are health-conscious.

Ingredients That Make a Difference

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s talk about the key ingredients that give this recipe its incredible flavor.

1. Chicken Thighs: We use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. The skin crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, and the dark meat stays juicy and flavorful.
2. High Heat Cooking Oil: Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil is perfect for air frying as they have high smoke points. This helps achieve that delectable crispiness on the outside of the chicken.
3. Seasonings: A blend of salt, dried thyme, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika imparts a well-rounded flavor profile to the chicken.

Cooking Steps

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of preparing these delectable air fryer chicken thighs.

1. Preparing the Seasoning: Begin by mixing the salt, thyme, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. This seasoning will elevate the flavor of your chicken.

2. Coating the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken thighs in your chosen high heat cooking oil until each piece is thoroughly coated. This step ensures your chicken will turn out crispy and golden.

3. Seasoning the Chicken: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs and toss them until each piece is evenly coated. This is where the magic happens – your chicken will be bursting with flavor.

4. Air Frying: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket or tray, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 22 to 24 minutes. Remember to flip the chicken at the halfway mark to ensure even cooking.

A Flavorful Family Meal 

This easy air fryer chicken thighs recipe takes a mere 5 minutes to prepare and just 24 minutes to cook, making it a perfect option for busy housewives. Whether you’re serving a family dinner or a quick weeknight meal, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Recipe

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, a quick, flavorful, and crispy meal that your family will love.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons high heat cooking oil – such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Start off by preparing the seasoning for the chicken. Add the salt, thyme, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to a small bowl and mix together. Set aside.
2. Place all the chicken thighs in a large bowl and add the oil. Toss the chicken in the oil until all the chicken pieces are thoroughly covered.
3. Next, sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs. Toss the chicken in the seasoning until each piece is evenly coated.
4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the basket or tray of your air fryer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, keeping the chicken pieces from touching each other. *The chicken thighs may need to be cooked in batches, depending on how big your air fryer is.
5. Cook the chicken at 400 degrees for 22 to 24 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, at around the 10-minute mark, remove the basket from the air fryer and flip the chicken.
6. Serve and enjoy!