Description
These extra-crispy air fryer chicken thighs are juicy, tender, and shatteringly crisp without the heavy grease of traditional fried chicken. A fast, forgiving weeknight dinner that delivers takeout-quality flavor in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse chicken thighs and pat them very dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Place dry chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with avocado oil, tossing to coat lightly.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture over the oiled chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring pieces do not overlap.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
- Flip each thigh and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary. Resting the meat for 5 minutes keeps it juicy. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crunch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh per
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 26
Keywords: air fryer chicken, crispy chicken thighs, healthy fried chicken, quick dinner, gluten-free chicken, air fryer recipes, juicy chicken thighs