How Long Do Chicken Thighs Take in an Air Fryer? A Detailed Guide

I have to say that I wasn’t sure about air fryers until I made this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. When I tell you that these chicken thighs are the most juicy chicken thighs I’ve ever had in my life, I wouldn’t be exaggerating. Plus, they cook in about half the time it takes in the oven and have a deliciously crispy skin. I’m SOLD. Air-fried chicken thighs are my new easy dinner go-to.

Chicken thighs are a fantastic option for quick and easy meals. They are flavorful, juicy, and become deliciously crispy when cooked in an air fryer. But how long should you cook chicken thighs in an air fryer to achieve the perfect texture? In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to cook chicken thighs to crispy, juicy perfection in your air fryer.

Factors That Affect Chicken Thigh Cook Times

Several factors impact how long chicken thighs take to cook in an air fryer:

Which is better: chicken thighs with bones or without bones? It will take longer to cook chicken thighs with bones. The bones help keep the meat moist and take longer to cook all the way through. Boneless thighs cook faster.
Thickness: It will take longer to cook thicker chicken thighs than thin ones. Double check thickness and adjust cook time as needed.
Number: It will take longer to cook a lot of chicken thighs than a few little ones. Work in batches if needed.
Temperature Higher air fryer temperatures will decrease cook time The average temperature range is 380°F to 400°F
Model of air fryer Different air fryer models vary in size and power Get to know your appliance
What’s the difference between frozen and thawed chicken thighs? Thawed chicken thighs take about half as long to cook as frozen ones.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked air fryer chicken thighs every time:

1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs

Trim off any excess fat or skin if desired. This prevents flare-ups.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Any moisture on the surface will prevent crisping.
Season as desired. Consider a dry rub or marinade.

2. Preheat Air Fryer

Preheating is key for even cooking. Most recipes call for preheating at 400°F for around 5 minutes.

3. Add Chicken Thighs to Air Fryer Basket

Place thighs in a single layer in the basket, without overcrowding.
You may need to cook in batches depending on air fryer size.

4. Cook Chicken Thighs

Cook at 400°F, flipping thighs halfway through. Time will vary based on factors above.
Bone-in thighs take 18-22 minutes total. Boneless around 15-18 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness of at least 165°F.

5. Allow to Rest

Let chicken thighs rest 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.

Handy Time Chart for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Use this chart as a guide, adjusting cook time based on your specific factors:

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Brush thighs with oil before cooking for crisper skin.
Flip thighs over halfway during cooking for even browning.
Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
Let thighs rest before serving for juicier meat.
Play with different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, herbs.

Common Questions

Should I flip chicken thighs when air frying?

Yes, flipping the thighs halfway during cook time allows for even browning and crisping on both sides.

Can I air fry frozen chicken thighs?

Yes, just extend cook time and always thaw frozen chicken thighs in the fridge before air frying.

Should I trim chicken thighs before air frying?

Trimming excess fat and skin is optional, but can prevent flare-ups in the air fryer.

What temperature should I cook chicken thighs?

Cook at 400°F, adjusting time based on whether they are bone-in or boneless.

The Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Cooking chicken thighs in the air fryer results in a crispy, juicy version of this flavorful cut of chicken. Follow the recommendations in this guide for the ideal cook times based on the factors for your specific batch. With a quick prep, simple seasonings, and the right cook time in your air fryer, you’ll enjoy tender, delicious chicken thighs any night of the week.

how long do chicken thighs take in air fryer

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Since air-fried chicken thighs are such a fast and easy dinner staple, I suggest keeping the side dishes easy as well. I like to serve my chicken thighs with something that I can prepare in the amount of time that it takes for them to cook in the air fryer, like my mushroom rice or homemade mac and cheese. When chicken is on the menu, I also often make a salad. A simple side salad, crudites, or my three bean salad are always a hit in my house!

how long do chicken thighs take in air fryer

1 Tbsp cornstarch ($0.06)
1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.02)
1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.01)
1/4 tsp onion powder ($0.01)
1/4 tsp dried oregano ($0.01)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.02)
1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
1/4 tsp Freshly cracked pepper ($0.04)
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.25 lbs.) ($7.83)
1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)

Put the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
Put the chicken thighs in a bowl and pour the cooking oil over them. Next, add the cornstarch and seasoning mix. Turn the chicken thighs over so that all the oil and spices are on them.
Air fry the chicken thighs for 10 minutes with the skin side up in the basket. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 8 minutes more.
Turn it over one more time so the skin side is facing up. Cook for two minutes. Check with a meat thermometer to see if the temperature inside has reached 165ºF. If it hasn’t, cook for another one to two minutes. Serve the chicken thighs hot with your favorite simple sides!.

how long do chicken thighs take in air fryer

What kind of Air Fryer to Use

You can cook chicken thighs in pretty much any type of air fryer. You’ll just need to make sure that the basket is large enough to cook the number of chicken thighs you’d like to make. I was able to cook four large chicken thighs in my 5-quart Air Fryer. The chicken thighs should have enough room around them for air to flow freely, keeping in mind that they will shrink some as they cook.

If you want to change up the flavor of your air-fried chicken thighs, try using some of these other seasoning blends:

Factors That Affect Chicken Thigh Cook Times