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Quick Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Minute Recipe

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These quick crispy air fryer chicken thighs deliver shatteringly crisp skin and tender, juicy meat in about 20 minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this easy weeknight dinner is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon table salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Most air fryers need about 3-5 minutes to preheat. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, just run it empty for 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Press firmly on both sides until no moisture remains.
  3. Trim any excess skin or fat from the thighs using kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Leave the skin that’s attached to the meat.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir with a fork to break up any clumps.
  5. Place the dry thighs in a bowl or on a plate. Drizzle with the olive oil and rub it all over each thigh with your hands. Then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides.
  6. Arrange the thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between each thigh. Cook in batches if necessary.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F. Do not open the basket during this time.
  8. After 10 minutes, use tongs to carefully flip each thigh over. The skin side should be golden brown and starting to crisp.
  9. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, skin-side up. Total cooking time should be 18-20 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 175-185°F (80-85°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching the bone.
  10. Transfer the thighs to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat the skin completely dry for maximum crispiness. Do not overcrowd the basket—air needs to circulate. Let chicken come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Use a meat thermometer for best results. For boneless, skinless thighs, reduce cooking time to 12-14 minutes (no crispy skin).

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, quick chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken, low-carb chicken

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/quick-crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-20-minute-recipe/