Crispy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

Say goodbye to boring chicken thigh recipes. This air fryer chicken thigh recipe will blow your mind! It is so tasty and flavorful. This dish is healthy, and the best part is it is all made in the air fryer. You need to make this today. 

These are one of my favorite chicken thigh recipes. Rub the sauce all over the veggies and chicken, place it in the air fryer, and have a delicious meal in 25 minutes. 

I have a ton of air fryer recipes. Here are a few of my favorite chicken air fryer recipes. Balsamic Chicken Breasts, Spicy Sesame Chicken, Garlic Miso Chicken, and more.

This dish would go well with my Garlic Fried Rice, Cilantro Fried Rice, and my 5 minute Sesame Cucumber Salad - this is a must try! 

Jump to:

• Chicken Thigh Ingredients 
• How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• How to store and reheat air fryer chicken thighs
• 3 Top Tips for Success
• Crispy and Juicy Chicken Thighs - FAQ
• Other chicken recipes that you will love
• Pairing
• Crispy and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
• Food safety

Chicken Thigh Ingredients 

These marinated chicken thighs in air fryer are super easy to make. Here’s what you need. 

Bone in chicken thighs and spices such as smoked paprika, turmeric, sugar, salt, pepper and neutral oil. 

You can use any vegetables you want or have on hand. I used cauliflower, brussell sprouts and red onion. 

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Preheat Your Air Fryer: 

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.

Prepare the Chicken Thighs:

• In a bowl, mix the neutral oil, smoked paprika, turmeric, sugar, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
• Rub the marinade evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well-coated.
  

Cook the Chicken First:

• Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down.
• Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then turn. 

Prepare the Roasted Vegetables:

• In a separate bowl, combine the neutral oil, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
• Toss the Brussell sprouts, cauliflower, and sliced red onion in the spice mixture until they are well-coated.
  

Cook the Chicken and Vegetables:

• Turn the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket to skin side up.
• Place the seasoned vegetables around the chicken thighs in the basket.
• Air fry for 12 minutes until the chicken is crispy and cooked through and the vegetables are crispy and tender.
  

Check for Doneness:

• The chicken thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and have a crispy, golden skin.
• Serve and enjoy! 
  

Don't have an air fryer? If you don’t have an air fryer, roast the chicken thighs with the vegetables for a delicious sheet pan meal. Roast at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway. 

*Internal temp of the chicken should be at 165 degrees. 

Substitutions

For Chicken Thighs:

• Chicken Breasts: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs if you prefer white meat.
  

For Neutral Oil:

• Olive Oil: You can use olive oil as a substitute for neutral oil. It adds a different flavor but works well.
  

For Smoked Paprika:

• Regular Paprika: If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika will work. Smoked paprika has a smokier flavor, so the taste will be slightly different.
  

For Turmeric:

• Curry Powder: Curry powder can be used as a substitute for turmeric, although it will have a more complex flavor profile.
  

For Sugar:

• Honey: You can use honey as a sweetener instead of sugar. Keep in mind that honey is sweeter, so use a bit less.
  

For Salt:

• Sea Salt: You can use sea salt or any other type of salt as a substitute for table salt. Adjust the quantity to taste.
  

For Pepper:

• Black Pepper: If you have white pepper or another type of pepper, you can use it as a substitute for black pepper. The flavor may vary slightly.
  

For Brussell Sprouts:

• Broccoli: You can use broccoli florets as an alternative to Brussel sprouts for roasting.
  

For Cauliflower:

• Broccoli: Just like with Brussel sprouts, broccoli florets can replace cauliflower.
  

For Red Onion:

• White or Yellow Onion: Use white or yellow onion slices instead of red onion if that's what you have on hand.

For Spices (Smoked Paprika, Turmeric, Salt, and Pepper) in Roasted Vegetables:

• You can use your preferred spices or seasoning blends for the roasted vegetables. This allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. Common options include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning.

Equipment

• Air fryer 
• Sheet pan - if you don’t have an air fryer use the oven
• Knife
• Cutting Board
• Large bowl for mixing 
• Measuring spoons

How to store and reheat air fryer chicken thighs

To store, place leftover chicken thighs and vegetables in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. 

Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes or in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, typically 5-8 minutes for the chicken and 3-5 minutes for the vegetables.

Crispy and Juicy Chicken Thighs - FAQ

Other chicken recipes that you will love

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

Print

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.