Air Fryer Smoked Paprika Chicken Thighs
In short: Bone-in chicken thighs rubbed with smoked paprika, garlic and thyme, then air fried until the skin is mahogany and crisp and the meat is juicy. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Bone-in chicken thighs are cheap, forgiving and full of flavor, and the air fryer renders their fat so the skin turns crisp like a roast. A dry rub of smoked paprika, garlic, onion and thyme builds a deep red crust with no marinade and no mess. The thighs stay moist because dark meat tolerates heat well. Serve them with rice, potatoes or a simple salad, and keep any leftovers for sandwiches.
Instructions
- Pat the thighs very dry with paper towels. Trim any loose flaps of skin and excess fat.
- Mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper and sugar. Rub the oil over the chicken, then rub in the spice mix, getting some under the skin.
- Let the thighs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, or cover and chill for up to 12 hours for more flavor.
- Heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes. Place the thighs skin side down in a single layer, cooking in two batches if the basket is small.
- Cook for 12 minutes, then turn the thighs skin side up. Cook for 10 to 13 minutes more until the skin is deep brown and crisp.
- Check the thickest thigh next to the bone. It must reach at least 74°C (165°F), though dark meat is more tender at 80°C (175°F).
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes on a plate before serving.
Tips
- Do not crowd the basket. Thighs that touch will steam instead of crisp, so use two batches if you need to.
- Swap the rub for lemon pepper, curry powder or a mix of dried oregano and lemon zest for a different flavor.
Questions and answers
How long do chicken thighs take in the air fryer?
Bone-in thighs take about 22 to 25 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Boneless thighs need only 12 to 15 minutes.
Do I need to flip chicken thighs in the air fryer?
Yes. Start skin side down so the fat renders, then flip them skin side up to crisp the skin for the last half of the cooking time.
Can I use skinless thighs?
Yes, but brush them with a little more oil and shorten the cooking by 3 to 4 minutes. They will not have the same crisp finish.
How long does it take to make Air Fryer Smoked Paprika Chicken Thighs?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Air Fryer Smoked Paprika Chicken Thighs?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
