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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe for Juicy, Crackling Skin Every Time

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This recipe delivers crispy, crackling skin with juicy, tender chicken thighs using a simple seasoning and air fryer technique. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick, fuss-free weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Pat each chicken thigh thoroughly with paper towels to dry the skin. Let them air-dry on a rack for 15 minutes if time allows.
  2. In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  3. Rub the chicken thighs all over with olive oil.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly on all sides of each thigh, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces do not touch.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the thighs skin-side up using tongs.
  8. Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes until the skin is golden and crackling and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.

Notes

Patting the chicken skin dry is essential for crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for balanced crispiness. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. If skin isn’t crispy enough, add 2-3 extra minutes but watch closely to avoid burning. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, juicy chicken, crackling skin, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-for-juicy-crackling-skin-every-time/