Description
Crispy, juicy air-fried chicken thighs seasoned with smoky paprika, garlic, and herbs. This effortless recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in 30 minutes using minimal oil—perfect for weeknight meals or flavorful bases for tacos and salads.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon paprika
½ tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 to 2½ pounds)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Lemon wedges (for serving, optional)
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for serving, mint if preferred)
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the basket.
Pat chicken skin dry. In a small bowl, mix paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
Brush olive oil evenly over chicken skin and sprinkle spice mix over all surfaces, including under the skin.
Air fry at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving with lemon wedges and herbs.
Notes
Do not flip chicken during cooking—the air fryer crisps both sides simultaneously.
For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of brown sugar to the spice mix for a caramelized crust.
Skin-on thighs yield optimal crispiness; remove skin before serving if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 100mg