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Cooked air fryer chicken thighs in an air fryer basket.

Smoky Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

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  • Author: Kelli Avila
  • Prep Time: 00:05
  • Cook Time: 00:15
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Air-Fryer
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These perfectly seasoned Smoky Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are versatile for both quick dinners and weekly meal prep. Keep this recipe in your back pocket for whenever you need an effortless dinner idea.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Avocado oil spray (or similar air-fryer safe oil for coating the basket)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF (if your air fryer requires it).
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together chicken thighs, oil, honey, paprika, salt, vinegar, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  3. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil (I use a non-aerosol avocado oil spray) then place the chicken thighs in it, spaced evenly apart.
  4. Cook the chicken for 14-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the it reaches an internal temperature above 165ºF and there are crispy browned bits on the edges of the meat. 
  5. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve, or cool down and store in the refrigerator for meal-prep throughout the week.

Notes

This recipe was tested using Diamond Crystal coarse kosher salt. If you use Morton's kosher salt or fine salt, decrease by half for volume.