These are my 7 favorite easy air fryer chicken thigh recipes, the ones I make on busy weeknights over and over again! Chicken thighs are made for the air fryer. The skin gets crispy, the meat stays juicy, and most of these are on the table in about 30 minutes. There's something for every craving, from my juicy simple air fryer chicken thighs with a secret ingredient to sweet and sticky cha siu chicken.
Half of these are juicy, cozy flavors like Italian herb and BBQ rub, and the other half are Asian air fryer chicken thighs with soy sauce, oyster sauce and five spice. I love serving them family style with a big bowl of rice, my garlic noodles or golden fried rice, and something fresh like Taiwanese cucumber salad on the side.
Jump to:
- 😍 Why you'll love these air fryer chicken thigh recipes
- 🍗 Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs?
- 🌿 Juicy marinated air fryer chicken thighs
- 🍗 Simple Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- 🌿 Italian Herb Chicken
- 🔥 BBQ Rub Air Fryer Chicken
- 🥢 Asian air fryer chicken thighs
- 🍚 Asian Chicken Thighs
- 🥡 Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
- 🍯 Air Fryer Cha Siu Chicken
- ✨ Extra crispy air fryer chicken thighs
- ✨ Crispy Air Fryer Chicken
- 💡 Tips for crispy, juicy chicken thighs
- 💭 Air fryer chicken thighs FAQ
- 🫙 Storing and reheating chicken thighs
- 💬 Comments
😍 Why you'll love these air fryer chicken thigh recipes
- Quick weeknight dinners: boneless thighs take about 15 to 20 minutes in the air fryer, and bone-in thighs about 25.
- Juicy every time: chicken thighs are much more forgiving than chicken breast, so they stay tender even if you leave them in a few minutes longer.
- Crispy skin without frying: the air fryer crisps up the skin with barely any oil.
- Simple pantry seasonings: most use seasoned salt, garlic salt, soy sauce or oyster sauce you probably already have.
🍗 Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs?
Both work great in the air fryer! I mostly use boneless, skin-on chicken thighs because they cook fast and evenly and you still get that crispy skin. Bone-in thighs take a few extra minutes but are extra juicy. You can usually find boneless skin-on thighs at Asian grocery stores, or debone chicken thighs yourself in a few minutes.
Air fryer chicken thigh cook times (380°F)
- Boneless, skin-on thighs: 15 to 20 minutes, skin side up.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs: 5 minutes skin side down, then flip and cook 20 minutes skin side up.
- Drumsticks: 20 to 25 minutes, flipping a couple of times.
Every air fryer is a little different, so start checking a few minutes early. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, but thighs are even more tender around 175°F.
🌿 Juicy marinated air fryer chicken thighs
My secret for juicy chicken? Sour cream in the marinade! It keeps the meat tender and helps the seasoning stick.
🍗 Simple Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
My most popular chicken recipe! Bone-in, skin-on thighs in a sour cream, garlic salt and smoked paprika marinade, juicy inside with golden skin in about 30 minutes.
🌿 Italian Herb Chicken
Italian seasoning, garlic salt and onion powder with a little sour cream for super juicy chicken. I often use butterflied drumsticks, and the post has times for bone-in and boneless thighs too.
🔥 BBQ Rub Air Fryer Chicken
A smoky sweet dry rub with paprika, brown sugar and a pinch of Old Bay. Great with mac and cheese for an easy BBQ night without firing up the grill.
🥢 Asian air fryer chicken thighs
Savory, sticky and so good over steamed rice. These are the ones my family asks for the most!
🍚 Asian Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skin-on thighs in a soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil marinade with crunchy, savory skin. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect with rice.
🥡 Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
Just five ingredients! Soy sauce, dark soy sauce and oyster sauce give these boneless thighs a deep, savory flavor and a beautiful mahogany color.
🍯 Air Fryer Cha Siu Chicken
All the sweet, sticky flavor of Chinese BBQ pork with honey, hoisin and five spice, made with chicken thighs. Only a 10 minute marinade and no blender needed.
✨ Extra crispy air fryer chicken thighs
✨ Crispy Air Fryer Chicken
The crispiest skin with a simple trick: a little baking powder in the dry rub. Ready in about 20 minutes and amazing dipped in ginger scallion sauce.
💡 Tips for crispy, juicy chicken thighs
- Pat the chicken dry: less moisture means crispier skin.
- Don't crowd the basket: cook in a single layer, in batches if you need to, so the hot air can reach every piece.
- Finish skin side up: start bone-in thighs skin side down, then flip so the skin crisps at the end. Boneless thighs can cook skin side up the whole time.
- Add a few minutes at 400°F: if you want more color, turn up the heat for the last few minutes.
- Use a thermometer: check the thickest part without touching the bone. 165°F is safe, and around 175°F is extra tender.
💭 Air fryer chicken thighs FAQ
At 380°F, boneless skin-on chicken thighs take about 15 to 20 minutes. Bone-in skin-on thighs take about 25 minutes: 5 minutes skin side down, then 20 minutes skin side up. Start checking a few minutes early because every air fryer is different.
Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F. Chicken thighs are even more tender around 175°F, so don't worry if they go a little past 165°F. Check the thickest part without touching the bone.
Both work! Boneless skin-on thighs cook faster and more evenly, so they're my go-to for quick dinners. Bone-in thighs take a few more minutes but are extra juicy.
Pat the chicken dry, cook it in a single layer and finish skin side up. A little baking powder in the seasoning makes the skin extra crispy, and a few minutes at 400°F at the end adds more color.
For bone-in thighs, yes. Start skin side down, then flip them skin side up so the skin gets crispy. Thinner boneless thighs can cook skin side up the whole time.
Yes! Each recipe has oven directions in the post. The oven takes a bit longer than the air fryer, so use a thermometer to know when they're done.
🫙 Storing and reheating chicken thighs
Keep leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 380°F for a few minutes so the skin crisps back up. Leftovers are great sliced over rice, in fried rice or tucked into a wrap the next day!
Which one are you making?
I'd love to hear which air fryer chicken thigh recipe is your favorite! Leave a comment below and tag @thesavorychopstick on Instagram.
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