Do you love crispy skin on your chicken? This air fryer chicken thighs recipe fits the bill. The blend of spices and herbs make the skin and meat so delicious you’re going to love eating every last bit of it.

I love my air fryer so much that I use it a few times a week. And making this chicken thigh recipe made me love it even more. One of the things I most enjoy about it other than it be super easy to use, is how crispy the skin gets on poultry.
I’m not a fan of deep fried meals, though I have been known to devour a good seafood platter. Making this recipe allows for a crispy yet moist chicken without the guilt of deep frying it.
I’m excited to help you make chicken thighs in the air fryer.
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Helpful tips
- Don’t wash your poultry before cooking because it creates a higher risk of spreading bacteria around the sink, on the counters, and even on your hands. What I do is after I un-package it, I take paper towels and blot the chicken dry.
- Tarragon goes so well with chicken and if you’ve been reading my blog for a time, you will see I use it a lot. If you don’t have the herb, you can substitute basil or parsley.
- When adding the chicken to the air fryer, make sure they aren’t touching each other so they crisp up better.
- This recipe works with both an oven type of air fryer or the basket type. The timing and temperature are the same. The only difference is with the type that has trays, you’ll remove them before pre-heating, add the food to the trays and place them in the oven when the air fryer comes to temperature.
- With the basket type air fryer, you will preheat it with the basket inside and add the food once the air fryer comes to temperature.
How to make air fryer chicken
Pre-step
Get out your air fryer and a mixing bowl.
Step one
Get the ingredients – chicken thighs and herbs, spices and salt.
Step two
Add the thighs to a mixing bowl and get a rubber spatula. (A)
Step three
Measure out the herbs and spices – smoked paprika, ground cumin, tarragon, parsley, chipotle powder and salt. (B)
Step four
Add the spices and herbs to a small mixing bowl. (C)
Step five
Use either a fork or small whisk to mix the herbs and spices together. (D)
Step six
Sprinkle the herb mixture over the chicken. (E)
Step seven
Take the spatula and thoroughly mix the chicken so all the spice mixture is coating all of the chicken thighs.
Step eight
Plugin the air fryer, remove the trays if you have the type that I have and preheat at 380 degrees Fahrenheit and set the timer for 23 minutes.
Step nine
Add the thighs to the air fryer trays or wait for the air fryer to preheat if you have the basket type. (F)
Step ten
When your air fryer beeps that it is done preheating, add the trays to the oven or add the chicken to the basket, making sure they don’t touch.
Step eleven
Halfway through the cook time, I transfer the top tray to the bottom and the bottom tray to the top.
And if you have the basket type air fryer, you’ll have to flip the chicken halfway through cook time.
Use a thermometer to check if the chicken is done. It should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Time to plate a piece.
Time to cut into the crispy skin chicken thigh.
Moist and delicious.
Chomp.
So good.
I hope you enjoyed this air fryer chicken thighs recipe as much as we love to eat them. Check out my air fryer French toast recipe! It’s so good.
Other chicken recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried thisrecipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place chicken in the mixing bowl.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the herbs and spices and mix with a whisk.
- Sprinkle the herbs and spices over the chicken and use a spatula to thorougly mix together until the chicken is covered.
- If you have an air fryer with trays, remove them before preheating the oven at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the time for 23 minutes. If you have the basket type, preheat as usual.
- Add the chicken to the trays, making sure they don't touch each other. If you have the basket type, wait until the air fryer have finished pre-heating before adding the meat.
- Once the air fryer beeps that it has come to temperature, add the trays of chicken to the oven or the chicken to the basket.
- Halfway through the cooking time, I move the bottom tray to the top and the top to the bottom. In a basket type of air fryer, you will flip the thighs.
- When the air fryer beeps that it is finished cooking, check the internal temperature of the thighs. I use a digital thermometer – and it should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
Notes
- Don’t wash your poultry before cooking because it creates a higher risk of spreading bacteria around the sink, on the counters, and even on your hands. What I do is after I un-package it, I take paper towels and blot the chicken dry.
- Tarragon goes so well with chicken and if you’ve been reading my blog for a time, you will see I use it a lot. If you don’t have the herb, you can substitute basil or parsley.
- When adding the chicken to the air fryer, make sure they aren’t touching each other so they crisp up better.
- This recipe works with both an oven type of air fryer or the basket type. The timing and temperature are the same. The only difference is with the type that has trays, you’ll remove them before pre-heating, add the food to the trays and place them in the oven when the air fryer comes to temperature.
- With the basket type air fryer, you will preheat it with the basket in and add the food once it comes to temperature.
Gloria
Chicken thighs are the best part. Cooking them in the air fryer is much better than oil for sure. This is a great weeknight winner.
Elaine
Thank you Gloria! I love quick and easy on a weeknight. And that there is less oil than frying.
Natalia
I love chicken recipes a lot and this sounds like one I would really like trying. I will be trying it in the next few days. Thanks for sharing!
Elaine
Thank you Natalia! I hope you do try it and enjoy it. Let me know how it goes.
Marta
Thighs are the best part of the chicken and using your air fryer recipe was a great idea. Crispy skin and juicy meat. Thanks for sharing.
Elaine
Thank you Marta. I think thighs are the best part of the chicken. I hope you make it and see how easy and delicious this recipe is.
Linda
Easy and flavorful are the words to describe these chicken thighs. Plus, a recipe we all need to make often!
Elaine
I’m so glad to hear that Linda. Thanks for letting me know. 😊
Liz
I am loving all of these air fryer recipes!
Elaine
Thanks Liz. I do too. I use it multiple times a week.
silvia
Easy, fast, delicious, what is not to love? Great combination of herbs. The thighs were moist and so flavourful we will be making this recipe over and over again.
Elaine
Thanks so much Silvia. I’m so glad to hear that. 😊
Farrukh Aziz
We love crispy skin on our chicken, so this is perfect for us! The preparation doesn’t take too long, thanks for the recipe!
Elaine
Us too Farrukh. Thanks so much for commenting and rating!
Maren
Made this for a bbq recently and it was a hit! My friends and family loved it!
Elaine
I’m so happy to hear that Maren!! Thanks for letting me know.
Kate
This recipe was wonderful! Our chicken thighs turned were juicy with crispy skin, just the way we like it. Thank you very much.
Elaine
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that Kate!! 🙂 And you’re welcome. Thanks for commenting.
Natalie
Tarragon on chicken thighs sounds amazing. Yum! I’m excited to give this recipe a try. Chicken is always a winner in my house.
Elaine
Here too. Thanks Natalie. I hope you enjoy it when you try it!