Welcome to a culinary revelation that will change your weeknight dinners forever: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Prepare to be amazed by how effortlessly you can achieve perfectly crispy, incredibly moist, and wonderfully flavorful chicken without the usual mess and unhealthy excess oil associated with traditional deep-frying. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to the magic of the air fryer, delivering all the comforting goodness of “fried chicken” with a healthier, simpler twist.
Experience Crispy, Flavorful Chicken Without Excessive Oil
The air fryer has quickly become an indispensable kitchen appliance for many, and for good reason. It offers an innovative way to enjoy traditionally fried foods with significantly less oil, making your favorite dishes healthier without compromising on taste or texture. These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a prime example. From the moment you try them, you’ll appreciate how the circulating hot air transforms humble chicken thighs into a golden-brown masterpiece, complete with a satisfyingly crisp skin and tender, juicy meat inside. This method is particularly cherished for busy school nights or whenever you crave a comforting meal that’s both easy to prepare and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Unlike deep-frying, which submerges food in a vat of hot oil, the air fryer uses rapid air circulation technology to cook food, simulating the effect of frying. This means you get that desirable crispy exterior, often described as “fried,” but with only a fraction of the oil, typically just a light spray. The result is a lighter meal that doesn’t feel heavy, allowing the natural flavors of the chicken and seasonings to truly shine through. Plus, cleanup is a breeze compared to dealing with greasy oil splatters and disposal. If you’ve been searching for a simple yet incredibly satisfying chicken recipe that’s sure to delight everyone at your table, these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are an absolute must-try.
Frequently Asked Questions for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Absolutely, preheating is a crucial step for achieving the best results with air-fried chicken. For this recipe, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheating ensures that the chicken starts cooking immediately at the correct temperature, leading to a consistently crispy crust and preventing the chicken from steaming rather than frying, which can happen if placed in a cold air fryer.
Spraying the chicken liberally with olive oil cooking spray before and during air frying is key to replicating the crispy, golden-brown skin you’d typically get from deep-frying. The oil helps the breading to crisp up beautifully and gives it that desirable “fried” texture. Don’t be shy – a generous and even coating of spray oil ensures maximum crispiness and helps the spices to adhere and caramelize effectively.
Yes, it’s highly recommended to spray your air fryer basket thoroughly with olive oil nonstick spray. This simple step creates a barrier that prevents the chicken’s coating from sticking to the basket, ensuring easy removal and maintaining the integrity of the crispy crust. It also makes cleanup much simpler!
The versatility of these chicken thighs means they pair wonderfully with a wide array of side dishes, depending on your preference and the effort you want to put in. For classic comfort, consider serving them with fluffy mashed potatoes and steamed green peas. If you’re looking for something more homemade, Italian Green Beans or Maple Glazed Carrots are excellent choices. A crisp garden salad, roasted asparagus, or even a quick corn on the cob can also complement the rich flavor of the chicken beautifully.
The most reliable way to ensure your chicken thighs are cooked through and safe to eat is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone. The chicken is perfectly done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures both safety and optimal juiciness.
Absolutely! This recipe is easily scalable for feeding more people. However, to maintain that signature crispy texture, it’s essential not to overcrowd your air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches, ensuring there’s enough space between each piece for proper air circulation. Overcrowding can lead to steaming, resulting in less crispy chicken.
While you technically can make fried chicken without buttermilk, it plays a vital role in achieving incredibly moist and flavorful results, especially in an air fryer where meat can sometimes dry out more easily. Buttermilk’s acidity tenderizes the chicken and helps the breading adhere better, infusing it with a subtle tang that enhances the overall flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a homemade substitute: add one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill the rest with whole milk or heavy cream to make ½ cup. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. While homemade works, fresh, real buttermilk will always provide the superior taste and texture.
While standard vegetable oil sprays can be used, we highly recommend olive oil nonstick spray for air frying. Through extensive testing, we’ve found that olive oil spray tends to perform better in the air fryer, creating a superior nonstick surface and preventing the basket from becoming sticky or gummy with repeated use. Some vegetable oil sprays can leave a residue that is harder to clean, while olive oil spray helps maintain the air fryer’s cleanliness and efficiency over time, and its flavor also complements the chicken well.
Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Thighs can be stored in an airtight container or a resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place the chicken back in your preheated air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 4-6 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and crispy again. This method helps retain the chicken’s delicious texture and prevents it from becoming soggy.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs:
Crafting these perfectly crispy and juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs requires a few simple, readily available ingredients. The combination of these components creates a flavorful crust and keeps the meat incredibly moist. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
- Buttermilk: Essential for tenderizing the chicken and ensuring a moist interior. It also helps the flour coating adhere perfectly.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, helping the buttermilk mixture and subsequent dry coating stick to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of our crispy breading.
- Cornstarch: The secret ingredient for extra crispiness! It helps achieve that desirable crunchy texture.
- Garlic powder: Adds a foundational aromatic flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.
- Onion powder: Enhances the savory profile and adds depth to the seasoning blend.
- Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out all the flavors. Adjust to your taste.
- Bone-in chicken thighs: The star of the show. Bone-in thighs cook up extra juicy and flavorful. Ensure they are skin-on for maximum crispiness.
- Olive oil cooking spray: Crucial for achieving a crispy exterior without using excessive oil. It also prevents sticking.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making delicious, crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time:
- Prepare Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This is a crucial step to ensure the chicken starts cooking immediately at an optimal temperature, leading to a consistently crispy exterior. While the air fryer preheats, you can prepare the chicken.
- Create the Wet Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ½ cup of buttermilk and 1 large egg. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined. This mixture will serve as the first coating for your chicken, helping to tenderize the meat and providing a base for the dry breading to adhere to.
- Prepare the Dry Breading: In a separate medium-sized bowl, stir together the ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Whisk these dry ingredients until they are evenly mixed. This flavorful blend will create the crispy crust.
- Coat the Chicken: Take each bone-in chicken thigh and dip it into the buttermilk-egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Lift the chicken and allow any excess liquid to drip off. Then, transfer the wet chicken thigh into the bowl with the flour mixture. Pat the flour mixture onto the chicken firmly, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating. This step is crucial for that desirable crispy crust.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Generously spray the bottom of your preheated air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Carefully place the breaded chicken thighs into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. This is important for proper air circulation and even crisping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Once arranged, spray the tops of the chicken thighs liberally with olive oil spray, making sure they are completely covered. This step is vital for achieving a golden and crispy exterior.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Cook the chicken thighs in the air fryer for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around 12-15 minutes), carefully flip the chicken pieces over and spray them liberally again with more olive oil cooking spray. Continue cooking until the chicken is beautifully golden brown and crispy. To confirm doneness, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken (avoiding the bone); it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Serve Immediately: Once cooked to perfection, carefully remove the crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs from the air fryer.
- Enjoy Your Meal: Serve these delightful chicken thighs immediately with your favorite comforting side dishes. Their crispy texture and juicy interior are best enjoyed fresh!
Want More Delicious Recipes?
If you loved these crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, you’ll be thrilled to discover more incredible recipes that bring comfort and flavor to your table. Explore some of our other favorites:
- Best Southern Fried Chicken
- Chicken Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Air Fryer Cranberry Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Potatoes and Sausage
- BBQ Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Copycat Chipotle Chicken
- Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
- Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Thighs
These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a delicious, quick and easy dinnertime meal. You won’t believe how crispy they are without all the oil!
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Ingredients
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the buttermilk and egg in a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip the chicken in the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, place the dipped chicken into the flour mixture and pat it down to ensure a good coating.
- Spray the air fryer basket liberally with olive oil spray. Place the coated chicken into the air fryer, making sure the pieces are not touching. You may need to cook in batches. Spray the chicken thoroughly with olive oil spray so it is completely covered.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying liberally again with more olive oil spray. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and an internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Always preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken thighs to the basket for optimal crispiness.
- Ensure you spray the air fryer basket well with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- If doubling the recipe, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent proper crisping.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 29g |
Protein: 36g |
Fat: 34g |
Sodium: 779mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 2g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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