Air Fryer Hen Thighs | Cookies & Cups

By: Shelly
Posted: Nov 4, 2024

These air fryer hen thighs cook dinner to seasoned, crispy perfection in simply half-hour! It’s a fast and straightforward hen recipe, and tremendous versatile. Change up the flavors and spices any method you’d like.

In search of extra hen thigh recipes? Do that flavor-packed honey chipotle skillet chicken!

Close up of a chicken thigh cut into slices next to mashed potatoes on a plate.

Why I Love These Air Fryer Hen Thighs

These juicy, crispy air fryer hen thighs are simple to cook dinner and so versatile! I repeatedly use my air fryer on weeknights, and this fast hen recipe is considered one of my household favorites. Right here’s why:

Easy cooking methodology. The air fryer would possibly simply be the best solution to cook dinner hen. I exploit it to make every little thing from chicken tenders to popcorn chicken and the juiciest crispy hen thighs. It’s fast, mess-free, and virtually foolproof.
Completely seasoned. All you want is 5 components (plus salt and pepper) to make a straightforward hen seasoning. The flavors are garlicky, smoky, and scrumptious.
So crispy. These boneless hen thighs crisp up fantastically within the air fryer. The excessive warmth circulates as they cook dinner, browning the surface right into a golden crust whereas the within of the hen stays juicy.

Ingredients for air fryer chicken thighs with text labels overlaying each ingredient.

Components You’ll Want

Listed here are some ingredient notes to get you began with the recipe. Scroll all the way down to the recipe card under the publish for the printable listing together with measurements and recipe particulars.

Hen Thighs – I exploit boneless, skin-on hen thighs. If you happen to use bone-in hen thighs, you’ll want to extend the cooking time.
Olive Oil – Or your selection of cooking oil.
Seasonings – I season my hen thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika (candy or smoked), salt, and pepper. Be happy to make use of your favourite hen seasoning mix, both home made or store-bought.

Tips on how to Prepare dinner Hen Thighs within the Air Fryer

If you happen to’re simply getting acquainted together with your air fryer, I’ve a useful information on how to use an air fryer that could be useful. You’ll be a professional very quickly! Right here’s methods to make juicy air fryer boneless hen thighs, and you’ll discover the printable directions within the recipe card.

Seasonings added to chicken thighs in a bowl. — Add the hen thighs and seasonings to a bowl.

Prep the hen. Utilizing your fingers, therapeutic massage the oil and seasonings into the hen till it’s evenly coated.

Four seasoned uncooked chicken thighs arranged inside the air fryer. — Add the hen to the air fryer.

Prepare dinner. Place the seasoned hen thighs into the air fryer pores and skin aspect down. Prepare dinner at 390ºF for 10 minutes, flip, and cook dinner for an additional 10 minutes, or till cooked via.
Relaxation and serve. Let the hen relaxation outdoors of the air fryer for five minutes to let the juices redistribute. Take pleasure in!

Close up of air fryer chicken thighs on a platter.

Oven Technique

If you happen to don’t have an air fryer, these hen thighs end up nice within the oven, too. Prepare the seasoned hen thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 35-45 minutes at 400ºF. You can too take a look at my Instant Pot chicken thighs for an additional simple cooking methodology.

Suggestions and Variations

If you happen to’re utilizing bone-in hen thighs, you’ll want to extend the air frying time by about 2 minutes per aspect.
Keep away from non-stick cooking sprays. Do NOT use PAM and different non-stick sprays on the air fryer, as they’ll smoke and will injury the basket. This hen has sufficient oil that it doesn’t want it anyway.
Tips on how to inform when hen thighs are performed: These air fryer hen thighs are performed when the pores and skin is crispy and the interior temperature reads 175ºF on an instant-read thermometer. Examine the temperature on the thickest a part of the hen.
Change the seasonings. You’ll be able to season this hen with any mix of spices you’d like. Attempt Cajun seasoning or blackened seasoning for a little bit of kick, or you need to use Italian seasoning.

An air fryer chicken thigh served next to mashed potatoes on a plate, with a bowl of salad and a platter of chicken thighs in the background.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Refrigerate. Leftover air fryer hen thighs might be saved in an hermetic container and refrigerated for as much as 3 days.
Reheat. Reheat the hen thighs in a 350ºF oven, or return them to the air fryer till they’re scorching all through.
Freeze. Freeze leftover hen for as much as 2 months, and thaw it within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.

Description

These air fryer hen thighs cook dinner to seasoned, crispy perfection in simply half-hour! Change up the flavors and spices any method you’d like.

1 3/4 kilos boneless hen thighs, about 4 medium thighs (pores and skin on or skinless)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon floor black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Preheat your air fryer to 390ºF.
Place the hen thighs in a medium bowl and pour the olive oil on prime. Sprinkle the spices on prime of the hen, then use your fingers to verify each side are evenly coated with oil and spices.
Place the hen thighs within the air fryer basket (no wire rack), pores and skin aspect down. Prepare dinner for 10 minutes, then flip and cook dinner pores and skin aspect up for an additional 10-12 minutes. The hen is finished when the pores and skin is crispy and the interior temperature registers 175ºF with an instant-read thermometer. DO NOT add PAM to the air fryer as it should smoke, the hen has sufficient oil to not want it.
Let the hen relaxation for five minutes, then serve together with your most popular sides.

Notes

Oven methodology: Preheat your oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper. Place the hen on the sheet and bake for 35-45 minutes, till it registers 175ºF with an instant-read thermometer.