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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – Easy & Juicy Recipe

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are the answer to your fried chicken cravings without the guilt or mess. With a handful of simple ingredients and about 25 minutes, you can have restaurant-quality chicken that’s juicy on the inside and impossibly crispy on the outside.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 lbs total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Press firmly on both sides until the skin feels dry to the touch. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and any optional spices. Whisk together until paste-like.
  3. Add dried chicken thighs to the bowl and toss with your hands until every piece is completely coated. Gently lift the skin and rub some seasoning directly onto the meat.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Arrange chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin-side down, leaving space between each piece. Do not overcrowd.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
  7. Flip each thigh using tongs and cook for another 10-12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
  8. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, let seasoned chicken sit uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking. If skin isn’t crispy enough after cooking time, add 2-3 more minutes at 400°F. Every air fryer runs differently, so adjust timing as needed. For oven-baked alternative: preheat oven to 425°F, place thighs on a wire rack over a baking sheet, bake 35-40 minutes flipping halfway.

Nutrition

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Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-and-juicy-recipe/