Quick answer: Season 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder, air fry skin-side up at 380°F for 20 minutes, then flip and cook 5 minutes at 400°F until they reach 165°F. Rest 5 minutes.
30 min (5 prep + 25 cook) 380°F then 400°F Serves 4
What Ingredients Do You Need?
4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lb)
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
How Long Do You Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer?
Season: Pat the thighs dry and season all over with the salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder.
Arrange skin-side up: Place them skin-side up in the basket. No oil is needed; the fat in the skin crisps it.
Air fry: Air fry at 380°F for 20 minutes.
Flip and crisp: Flip and cook 5 more minutes at 400°F for crispy skin.
Check and rest: The internal temperature should read at least 165°F. Let them rest 5 minutes before serving.
Dual basket tip: Chicken thighs in basket 1. Cubed potatoes tossed in oil and rosemary in basket 2 at 400°F for about 20 minutes. A complete dinner with Sync Finish.
Best for this recipe: Instant Vortex Plus XL 8-QtClearCook windows let you check the skin without opening. SyncFinish handles timing.
How Many Calories Are in Juicy Chicken Thighs? (Estimated)
Per serving (1/4 of recipe (about 1 1/2 thighs)): about 340 calories, 23 g fat (6 g saturated), 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 31 g protein, and 620 mg sodium. These are estimates, not lab values. Estimated from standard USDA values for roasted chicken thighs with skin plus the salt listed. Removing the skin lowers the fat.
What Flavor Variations Can You Try?
Lemon herb: swap the paprika for 1 tsp dried thyme and squeeze lemon over the hot thighs
BBQ: brush with BBQ sauce for the last 3 minutes
Boneless: boneless thighs take about 14 to 18 minutes at 380°F
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do bone-in chicken thighs take in the air fryer?
About 25 minutes: 20 minutes at 380°F skin-side up, then 5 minutes at 400°F after flipping. Always check for 165°F.
Do you need to flip chicken thighs in the air fryer?
Flipping once helps both sides brown. This recipe finishes skin-side down for the last 5 minutes.
How do I get crispy skin?
Pat the thighs very dry, skip the oil, and finish at 400°F. Do not crowd the basket.
Can I cook potatoes at the same time?
Yes. In a dual basket air fryer, cook cubed potatoes in the second basket at 400°F for about 20 minutes with Sync Finish.
