Learn how to cook juicy and crispy bone in chicken thighs in the air fryer! Super easy keto and low carb friendly recipe for the most delicious thighs made with just a few simple ingredients.
You don’t need fancy ingredients to create a fancy restaurant worthy chicken dinner! Try to make chicken thighs in your air fryer and i promise you will be shocked how easy is it. The skin is so crispy and the meat is so tender and juicy. And all of this is ready in less than 30 minutes!
How to choose the right chicken
Most of the chicken sold these days is frozen or been previously frozen. In big supermarkets ins probably the option. When i choose my chicken, i usually just look at the weight of the bird, or bird parts if i am only using thighs or drumsticks.
If the size is too big, skip on that. Usually it happens because there were lots of steroids used in the production or it just simply too much water n the pack.
I like to buy chilled chicken thighs from local farms. They contain less amount of fat, thats what i like the most. But i always ave couple chickens from Walmart in my fridge you know, just in case!
Temperature and cooking time
Typically cooking time for a bone in chicken thigh in air fryer is 18 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. After that turn it up to 400 and cook for another 5 minutes or so until the skin is as crispy as you prefer.
What would you need
So for this delicious recipe you will only need a handful of ingredients. If you have time, marinate chicken in lemon juice with lots of spices. You can use spice blend you like. My recipe spice blend contains paprika (smoked is even better!), salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions powder and some cumin.
If you dont have or like thighs, you can use chicken breast or drumsticks! Just cut the cooking time by 5-7 minutes because those parts cook faster.
If you are on Weight Watchers program, remove the skin before cooking. Its very important since the skin will add you most points.
Made this recipe and looking for a perfect side dish? Try:
We use air fryer on a daily basis in our house. I probably use it more than a stove or oven! I love that whatever recipe i use its always a one pot dish and all you will need to clean is the air fryer basket. Who would not like that?
Cook it from frozen
For frozen chicken thighs use the same temperature setting at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, but instead of first 18 minutes, cook it for 25. After that, increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for additional 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
Thighs vary in size so if you are not sure, always check the internal temperature. It has to be at least 165 for a cooked bird. Stay away from the bone though when checking.
Air fryer frozen chicken thighs (from fresh too!)
Learn how to cook juicy and crispy bone in chicken thighs in the air
fryer! Super easy keto and low carb friendly recipe for the most
delicious thighs made with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dry parsley (or fresh cilantro)
Instructions
Juice the lemon. Add all the spices and place thighs in to the marinade. Let it sit for a few minutes.
From fresh thighs
Place thighs in the air fryer. Cook on 360F degrees for 18 minutes, than change the temperature to 400F and cook for extra 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
From frozen thighs
Cook for 23 minutes at 360F degrees and then for 5 extra to crisp the skin.
Notes
Flip chicken once during cooking. This is optional and only needed if you have too many thighs in the basket. If there is enough space left, the air will circulate around no flipping required.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 290Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 756mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 31g
If cooking from frozen, can spices be added before cruising the skin?
Hi! Adding spices before is fine
I meant to say “crisping” lol
Can I bread frozen thighs then put them in the air fryer?
I don’t think it will work on frozen thighs because they will release too much moister
I made these tonight. I did add Tbsp of olive oil to the marinade and it worked great. I started with frozen thighs, timing and temperature was perfect. I sure will make them again.
Glad you liked it!
Adding this to my air fryer recipe collection. Can’t get enough of the crispy chicken, each juicy bite keeps me coming back for more!
This is my new favorite air fryer chicken recipe. The exterior is crispy and the meat is so tender and flavorful. YUM!
Glad you liked it!
This was a live saver when I forgot to lay something out for dinner. It was a hit we loved it and I even have leftovers for lunch.
Adding this to my list of air fryer go to recipes! So simple and love that we can just pop it into the air fryer to do its thing. Tnx for sharing the recipe:)
This was so helpful and so delicious! My family and I loved this recipe! Such a great and easy dinner! Remaking this recipe again!
These chicken thighs are so juicy! Definitely the recipe to make over the weekend (I’ve got someone who will be in LOVE with it)!
LOVE the simple seasoning! So easy and delicious using the air fryer. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners!
Made this recipe tonight and it was great! I used bone in thighs with skin. The skin was so crispy and tasty. So easy too. Thanks for this recipe. It’s a keeper!
I bought a bag of boneless, skinless frozen chicken thighs. Can the thighs be air fried from frozen? What would your settings be?
Thanks for the article?
Please use same directions as for bone in chicken thigh in the recipe card
I made these last night and thoroughly enjoyed them. I put the recipe straight on my phone home screen to make it easy to find again. Loved the lemon and spices. Thank you.
I am you happy you like the recipe! Thank you
Can you do leg quarters same way ?
Yes, you can but it will take longer to cook. Expand cooking time to 30 minutes or you can look at this air fryer leg quarters recipe