Air Fryer Hen Thighs | Cookies & Cups

By: Shelly
Posted: Nov 4, 2024

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

Searching for extra hen thigh recipes? Do this flavor-packed honey chipotle skillet chicken!

Close up of air fryer chicken thighs on a platter.

Why I Love These Air Fryer Hen Thighs

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

Easy cooking technique. The air fryer would possibly simply be the best option to prepare dinner hen. I take advantage of 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 prepare dinner, browning the skin 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 beneath the put up for the printable listing together with measurements and recipe particulars.

Hen Thighs – I take advantage of 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 alternative of cooking oil.
Seasonings – I season my hen thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika (candy or smoked), salt, and pepper. Be at liberty to make use of your favourite hen seasoning mix, both home made or store-bought.

How you can Cook dinner Hen Thighs within the Air Fryer

If you happen to’re simply getting acquainted together with your air fryer, I’ve a helpful information on how to use an air fryer that is perhaps useful. You’ll be a professional very quickly! Right here’s the right way 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.

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

Oven Technique

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

Ideas 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 should harm the basket. This hen has sufficient oil that it doesn’t want it anyway.
How you can inform when hen thighs are achieved: These air fryer hen thighs are achieved 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 may 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 should utilize 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.

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

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Refrigerate. Leftover air fryer hen thighs will 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 sizzling 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 prepare dinner to seasoned, crispy perfection in simply half-hour! Change up the flavors and spices any manner 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 high. Sprinkle the spices on high of the hen, then use your fingers to verify either 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. Cook dinner for 10 minutes, then flip and prepare dinner pores and skin aspect up for an additional 10-12 minutes. The hen is completed 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 is going to smoke, the hen has sufficient oil to not want it.
Let the hen relaxation for five minutes, then serve together with your most well-liked sides.

Notes

Oven technique: 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.