FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

  • Why You Need My Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Cook Chicken Thighs In The Air Fryer
  • My Recipe Tips
  • Serving Ideas
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (Crispy, Juicy, Fast!) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

Oh, air fryer chicken, you’ve saved me at dinnertime so many times! I’ve got lots of ways to cook this protein (a.k.a. my go-to protein) in this amazing little appliance (a.k.a. my daily appliance of choice 😉), but these air fryer chicken thighs are one of my simplest staples I return to again and again. They’re super easy, affordable, and the flavor of bone-in, skin-on chicken is hard to match. If you’re staring at a package of it right now and wondering what to do with it, make these air fried chicken thighs with me and thank me later!

Why You Need My Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 1
  • Flavorful, juicy chicken with crispy skin – Nothing does it better than your air fryer. These are next-level juicy, and have so much flavor with just a few simple spices. And of course, they have that crisp skin we all love!
  • Fastest way to cook – Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, these are faster than grilled chicken thighs , cast iron chicken thighs , or oven baked chicken thighs . And if I’m being honest, I think they taste even better.
  • Simple, no-fuss recipe – Drizzle with oil, sprinkle on a few simple spices, pop your chicken thighs in the air fryer, and you’ll have an easy, healthy dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes. It doesn’t get any easier!
Maya's signature. - 2 Crispy chicken thighs in the air fryer basket. - 3

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fried chicken thighs recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Chicken Thighs – I love bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for their flavor and crispy skin, but you can also use boneless ones or even quarters (the thigh and drumstick combined). See my air fryer boneless chicken thighs and air fryer chicken quarters recipes for timing!
  • Oil – You can get away with less when air frying chicken thighs compared to other methods, but you still need to helps the skin get crispy and for the seasonings to stick. Avocado oil or olive oil works great.
  • Spices – Dried thyme (or you can swap in oregano or rosemary), smoked paprika (sweet paprika works too), garlic powder , onion powder , sea salt, and black pepper. If you like a little heat, a pinch of cayenne is a great addition.
Labeled ingredients: chicken thighs, oil, herbs, and spices. - 4 Spice Variations: - 5

Spice Variations:

Italian herbs , lemon pepper , or Cajun seasoning are all tasty on air fryer chicken thighs (just not all at once, lol). If your seasoning blend doesn’t have salt, add 1/2 teaspoon per pound. Or for something different, try my balsamic chicken marinade—it’s sweet, tangy, and so good!

How To Cook Chicken Thighs In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Season the chicken. Toss it in a bowl and pat dry with paper towels. (This is important for the skin to crisp up!) Drizzle with avocado oil and mix to coat. Sprinkle on the thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix again.
Seasoned chicken thighs in a bowl. - 6
  1. Air fry until crispy. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, in a single layer with space between the pieces. Air fry, flipping halfway through for even cooking. (See my tips below for timing recommendations.)
  2. Let them rest. Wait 5 minutes before digging in, to let the juices settle.
Finished air fryer chicken thigh recipe in the basket. - 7 My Recipe Tips - 8

My Recipe Tips

  • For faster prep, mix the seasoning mixture in a small bowl first. You can just season one-by-one, but then I find I’m washing my hands 50 times between flipping and seasoning (so the spices don’t stick to my hands).
  • Want even crispier skin? Add a teaspoon of baking powder to the spices. It’ll absorb extra moisture on the skin as it cooks. I use this trick for chicken wings a lot!
  • Tongs are the easiest way to mix. You can try a spoon or your hands, but I think tongs are so much easier! These are my favorite and won’t scratch your bowls.
  • Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. My air fryer is big enough to fit all the chicken thighs in one go, but if yours is smaller, you’ll need to cook in batches. It’s important to leave some space between the pieces so the skin gets nice and crispy — and for the cook time here to be accurate.
  • Which side goes down first? It doesn’t really matter, but I prefer to air fry chicken thighs skin side down first and finish skin side up. The skin gets more crispy that way.
  • Can you skip flipping? Yes, you can. In that case, place the chicken thighs in the air fryer skin side up. I don’t notice that much difference in juiciness, but prefer the even browning you get if you flip.
  • Check the internal temperature. It’s hard to dry out dark meat, but here you actually want a minimum target temp (rather than a max for white meat) for the juiciest result. Aim for at least 170 degrees F — even though they’re safe at 165 degrees F, this extra bit makes them much more tender. I use this probe thermometer and the cable sticks out of my air fryer just fine, but this meat thermometer works well, too.
  • Forgot to thaw your chicken? I don’t usually recommend cooking frozen proteins, but it actually works for air fryer chicken thighs in a similar way to my air fried frozen wings ! Air fry for 8-10 minutes first to thaw, without any seasonings. Transfer to a bowl, pat dry, season, and then proceed to air fry for the full time as usual.
Plate of crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs with lemon slices and fresh parsley. - 9

Serving Ideas

These air fryer chicken thighs are very much a I-don’t-know-what-dinner-is-tonight kind of meal for me, so I usually opt for simple, healthy sides to use what I have. If you’re the same way, here are some ideas:

  • Air Fryer Vegetables – I recommend quick options like air fryer broccoli or air fryer green beans , so you can cook them fast while the chicken rests.
  • Other Veggies – If you prefer to cook them while you’ve got the chicken thighs in the air fryer, try my garlicky sauteed mushrooms , crispy smashed brussels sprouts , or for oven options, roasted cauliflower or roasted cabbage .
  • Potatoes – Make it cozy with my air fried baked potatoes , or serve the thighs over air fried crispy potatoes . Just cook the spuds before the chicken and cover in foil.
  • Salads – For a lighter, less-cooking kind of meal, pair your air fryer chicken thighs with my simple cucumber tomato salad , creamy cucumber salad , or 5-ingredient BLT salad .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 lb Bone-in chicken thighs (or boneless chicken thighs) ▢
  • 2 tbsp Avocado oil (or olive oil) ▢
  • 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1 tsp Dried thyme ▢
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Onion powder ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. Place the chicken thighs into a large bowl and pat dry with paper towels. Drizzle with avocado oil and mix to coat.
  3. Season the chicken with salt, dried thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix again to coat.
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer in a single layer, so that they are only minimally touching each other, if at all. (Do this in batches if needed; do not crowd the air fryer basket.)
  5. Air fry bone-in chicken thighs for 15-20 minutes , turning after 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches at least 170 degrees F. (Alternatively, for boneless chicken thighs, air fry for 12-14 minutes .)
  6. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken thigh

  • Tips: Check out my recipes tips above to help you the juiciest chicken with the crispiest skin, shortcuts for easy seasoning and mixing, notes on flipping, and even how to make this recipe using frozen chicken.
  • Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I like to shred them and toss in mason jar salads !
  • Reheat: Pop the chicken thighs in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. I usually add them without preheating and set it to 2 minutes — they’re done by the time the timer goes off!
  • Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. While I have a shortcut above to cook these from frozen initially, I do recommend thawing them first before reheating.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System , Healthy Ebook Bundle , and Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs recipe pin. - 10

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 11

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 12

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 13

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 14

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 15

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 16

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 17

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 18

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 19

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 20

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (Crispy, Juicy, Fast!)

Air fryer chicken thighs up close. - 21

These air fryer chicken thighs are flavorful and juicy with crispy skin, in just 20 minutes! All you need is avocado oil, herbs, and spices.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/air-fryer-chicken-thighs/

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - 22 Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - 23 Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - 24 Air Fryer Chicken Thighs - 25

Ingredients

  • 2 lb Bone-in chicken thighs (or boneless chicken thighs)
  • 2 tbsp Avocado oil (or olive oil)
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 1 tsp Dried thyme
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp Onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. Place the chicken thighs into a large bowl and pat dry with paper towels. Drizzle with avocado oil and mix to coat.
  3. Season the chicken with salt, dried thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix again to coat.
  4. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer in a single layer, so that they are only minimally touching each other, if at all. (Do this in batches if needed; do not crowd the air fryer basket.)
  5. Air fry bone-in chicken thighs for 15-20 minutes , turning after 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches at least 170 degrees F. (Alternatively, for boneless chicken thighs, air fry for 12-14 minutes .)
  6. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken thigh

  • Tips: Check out my recipes tips above to help you the juiciest chicken with the crispiest skin, shortcuts for easy seasoning and mixing, notes on flipping, and even how to make this recipe using frozen chicken.
  • Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I like to shred them and toss in mason jar salads !
  • Reheat: Pop the chicken thighs in the air fryer again, this time at 350 degrees F. I usually add them without preheating and set it to 2 minutes – they’re done by the time the timer goes off!
  • Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. While I have a shortcut above to cook these from frozen initially, I do recommend thawing them first before reheating.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System , Healthy Ebook Bundle , and Healthy Air Fryer Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)