Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer is an easy hot honey recipe with extra crispy chicken skin, juicy bone-in meat, and an unforgettable finishing sauce.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
When I first created this recipe, I was astounded at how easy AND delicious these chicken thighs are. Before I could even bat an eye, I had eaten two chicken thighs and was considering a third. This recipe is that good!
And if you’re wondering what makes these chicken thighs the best, I can tell you in a heartbeat. It’s the cornstarch and baking powder that make the crispy skin over the top.
Then, slather on a finishing sauce that is hands-down the icing on the cake for these super tender and moist chicken thighs. I am so excited for you to try them!
Save this Recipe
Enter your email address and we will send you this recipe to your mailbox for easy reference! Plus, we will send you our latest recipes every week!
This recipe was adapted from my Hot Honey Chicken Wings. It has all the flavor, and to me, thighs are much easier to eat!
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: 4 nice, fat chicken thighs will weigh about 2 pounds. Use bone-in and skin-on thighs for this recipe, not boneless skinless thighs. If you want to substitute skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe, a 6-quart air fryer can accommodate two side by side. You will need to increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes per side or until the meat is 165 degrees F. at the center.
- Hot honey
- Vegetable or canola oil: This helps the spice blend adhere to the chicken.
- Spice blend: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, kosher salt, black pepper
- Secret ingredients: Corn starch and baking powder. These two ingredients make magic happen!! I don’t know the science, but cornstarch and baking powder make the chicken skin extra-crispy and a sauce that clings like crazy.
- Butter
- Garlic powder
- Hot sauce: If you want the sauce even spicier, substitute sriracha for the hot sauce.
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
Cooking Instructions
For exact ingredient quantities and complete printable instructions, read my recipe card.
Unpackage the chicken thighs and rinse, if desired. Pat dry with paper towels and let the thighs rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 30 minutes if you have time. This resting period helps the thighs cook more quickly and evenly.
Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F. Lightly grease the basket with a generous brush of oil.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, kosher salt, black pepper, cornstarch, and baking powder.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the thighs with the oil, and toss to coat using two spatulas.
Sprinkle the prepared spice blend over the oiled chicken thighs and toss again to coat or use your fingertips to rub the spices into the chicken thighs on all sides, whichever works best for you.
Place the chicken thighs skin-side-down onto the greased air fryer rack. Don’t pack the entire surface of the air fryer rack with anything you’re cooking.
Be sure you can see a bit of the rack so you know there’s a way the hot air can circulate properly. This ensures you get maximum browning and crispiness!
Air fry the thighs for 10 minutes, then turn them skin-side up and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Cooking the thighs skin-side up during the second part of the cooking phase makes the chicken skin really crispy, making the thighs gorgeous right before you dig in.
Always remember that air fryer cooking times can vary depending on the brand, style and size of the model.
Turn off the air fryer and allow the thighs to rest inside for 5 minutes to finish cooking from residual heat or until the internal temperature at the center of the chicken meat is 165 degrees F.
While the thighs rest air fryer, combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium skillet over medium heat, simmering for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
Brush the thighs generously with the warm prepared sauce and serve at once with your favorite side dishes.
How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Follow the recipe as directed in recipe steps 1-4. Place the prepared thighs onto a greased, rimmed baking sheet, skin-side-up. Cook the thighs, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Remove from the oven and tent with foil. Let the thighs rest, covered, for 10 minutes. While the thighs rest, create the sauce as in recipe step 8. Serve the baked thighs generously slathered with the warm sauce, as desired.
Shop This Recipe
Silicone-Coated Flat Whisk: Whenever you’re making a sauce or a gravy in a skillet, a flat whisk makes the job so much easier! No lumps remain and the flat edge can make it’s way right up to the very edge of the pan.
I’m loving this air fryer more every single day. I’m amazed at the quality of food it can crank out and how deliciously CRISPY it is. Did you know you can even cook a chuck roast in an air fryer? Who knew!
Instant-Read Meat Thermometer – I still use the old-fashioned dial-style meat thermometer since I never have to worry about battery strength like you do in the fancy ones.
What to Serve with Chicken Thighs
If you want to stay with the air fryer, crispy roasted Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan takes about 10 minutes and is tasty for the entire family. Then, throw in a fresh loaf of Italian or French bread, freshly roasted garlic, and butter parmesan cheese topping for our favorite garlic bread.
Or turn on the oven and try this Sweetie Pies Mac and Cheese copycat recipe. It is the most creamy cheesy baked macaroni and cheese ever.
Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken thighs, about 2 – 2 1/2 pounds bone-in and skin-on
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
Spice Blend
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons hot honey such as Mike’s Hot Honey, or your favorite brand
- 2 tablespoons Frank’s Hot Sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Rest the Thighs. Unpackage the chicken thighs and rinse, if desired. Pat dry with paper towels and let the thighs rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 30 minutes if you have time. **This resting period helps the thighs cook more quickly and evenly.4 large chicken thighs, about 2 – 2 1/2 pounds
- Prepare the Air Fryer. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F. Lightly grease the basket with a generous brush of oil.
- Make the Spice Blend. Combine the paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, kosher salt, black pepper, cornstarch and baking powder together in a small bowl.1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Prep the Chicken Thighs. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel then place them into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the thighs with the oil; toss to coat using two spatulas.2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- Season the Chicken Thighs. Sprinkle the prepared spice blend over the oiled chicken thighs and toss again to coat or use your fingertips to rub the spices into the chicken thighs on all sides, whichever works best for you. **If you wear silicone prep gloves, the task of rubbing in the spices isn't nearly as messy!
- Position the Thighs in the Air Fryer. Place the chicken thighs skin-side-down onto the greased air fryer rack, ensuring there is space between each one to allow the hot air to circulate well.
- Cook the Thighs. Air fry the thighs for 10 minutes, then turn the thighs skin-side-up and cook an additional 10 minutes. **Air fryer cooking times can vary depending on the brand, style and size of the model.
- Let the Thighs Rest in the Air Fryer. Turn off the air fryer and allow the thighs to rest inside for 5 minutes to finish cooking from residual heat, or until the internal temperature at the center of the chicken meat is 165 degrees F.
- Prepare the Sauce. While the thighs rest air fryer, combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium skillet over medium heat, simmering for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.1 tablespoon butter, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 3 tablespoons hot honey, 2 tablespoons Frank’s Hot Sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Serve. Brush the thighs generously with the warm prepared sauce and serve at once with your favorite side dishes.