Bone-in chicken thighs in the air fryer are one of those dinners I make when I want something easy but still really satisfying. The skin gets crispy, the meat stays juicy, and you only need a few simple seasonings.
Most of the time I just season the chicken, place it in the air fryer, and dinner is ready in about 20 minutes. It's one of the simplest ways to cook chicken thighs without turning on the oven.
This is my main air fryer chicken thighs guide, starting with bone-in, skin-on thighs because they give you the crispiest skin. I'll also show you how long chicken thighs take, how to check the temperature, how to keep the skin crisp, and which recipe to use when you want boneless, BBQ, Buffalo, lemon pepper, marinated, honey garlic, or teriyaki chicken thighs.
Bone-in chicken thighs take a little longer to cook than boneless thighs, but they stay very juicy because the bone and skin help protect the meat while it cooks.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs usually take 20-24 minutes at 390°F in the air fryer.
Start the thighs skin side down, flip halfway through, and cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F. Check near the bone, but do not touch the bone with the thermometer.
Boneless chicken thighs cook faster and do not get crispy skin, so use one of the boneless chicken thigh recipes below when that is what you have.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Time and Temperature
I usually cook chicken thighs at 390°F because it gives crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy.
The cooking time mostly depends on the size of the chicken thighs, so the chart below shows the general cooking time based on thigh size.
| Chicken Thigh Size | Temperature | Cook Time |
| Small Thighs | 390ºF | 18-20 minutes |
| Medium Thighs | 390ºF | 20-22 minutes |
| Large Thighs | 390ºF | 22-24 minutes |
Ingredients you need
These are the simple ingredients I use most of the time when making air fryer chicken thighs.
- Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cook beautifully in the air fryer. The skin gets crispy while the meat stays juicy and flavorful.
- Minced garlic: adds a simple savory flavor that pairs really well with chicken and the herbs in this recipe.
- Sage: brings a warm, slightly earthy flavor that works especially well with roasted or air-fried chicken.
- Rosemary: adds a fresh, aromatic flavor that makes the chicken taste like it was slow roasted.
- Melted butter: helps coat the chicken and adds extra richness while helping the herbs stick to the skin.
How to Season Chicken Thighs for the Air Fryer
Chicken thighs are very flavorful, so they don't need much seasoning to taste good. I usually start with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then add herbs or spices depending on the flavor I want.
Choose Your Chicken Thigh Recipe
Use this recipe when you have bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and want crispy skin.
For a different chicken thigh dinner, choose one of these:
- Bacon wrapped chicken thighs when you want something richer and more special.
- BBQ chicken thighs for smoky dry rub and sticky BBQ sauce.
- Buffalo chicken thighs for buttery Buffalo heat.
- Lemon pepper chicken thighs for a bright, no-marinade dinner.
- Marinated chicken thighs for citrus-herb flavor.
- Teriyaki chicken thighs for a sweet-savory glaze.
- Honey garlic chicken thighs for a sticky sweet-savory dinner.
How to Choose the Best Chicken Thighs
When buying chicken thighs, look for pieces with smooth skin and a fresh pink color. Try to choose thighs that are similar in size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
Bone-in, skin-on thighs are ideal for the air fryer because the skin protects the meat while it cooks and helps it stay juicy. The bone also helps distribute heat through the meat so the chicken cooks evenly.
Bone-In vs Boneless Chicken Thighs
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are best when you want crispy skin and juicy meat. They take longer than boneless thighs, but the skin protects the meat and gets crisp in the air fryer.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook faster and are easier to slice for bowls, wraps, salads, and meal prep. They will not get crispy like skin-on thighs, but they work well with sauces, marinades, and quick seasonings.
For this recipe, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. For boneless thighs, use one of the boneless chicken thigh recipes linked above.
Tools you may need
How to Make Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, especially the skin.
Season the chicken with garlic, sage, rosemary, melted butter, salt, and black pepper.
Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down in a single layer.
Air fry at 390°F for 10-12 minutes.
Flip the thighs and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F. Check near the bone, but do not touch the bone with the thermometer.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps keep the juices inside the meat.
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning. Removing extra moisture helps the skin crisp better in the air fryer.
- Cook the thighs in a single layer. This allows the hot air to circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
- Flip halfway through cooking. This helps both sides cook evenly and prevents the skin from burning.
- Use a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs usually cook in the air fryer at 390°F for about 20-24 minutes, depending on their size.
I like to start them skin side down, then flip halfway through cooking so the skin has time to crisp and the meat cooks evenly.
Use this guide as a starting point:
- Small thighs: 18-20 minutes
- Medium thighs: 20-22 minutes
- Large thighs: 22-24 minutes
The chicken is done when the thickest part reaches 165°F. Check near the bone, but do not let the thermometer touch the bone.
Why Chicken Thighs Are Great for the Air Fryer
Chicken thighs are one of the best cuts of chicken to cook in the air fryer. Because they contain a little more fat than chicken breast, they stay juicy while the skin becomes crispy.
The air fryer circulates hot air around the chicken, helping the skin crisp up while cooking the meat evenly inside.
How to Get Crispy Skin on Chicken Thighs
The biggest thing I watch is moisture on the skin. Wet skin does not crisp as well, so I pat the chicken dry before adding the seasoning.
Start the thighs skin side down so the fat begins to render. After the first half of cooking, flip the thighs and keep cooking until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
When the chicken is almost done but the skin needs a little more color, increase the air fryer to 400°F for the last 2-3 minutes and watch closely.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer?
Yes, frozen chicken thighs can be cooked in the air fryer, but they will take longer. Frozen bone-in chicken thighs usually take about 30-35 minutes depending on their size. Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Make It a Meal
Easy dinner plate: Serve with green beans, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, or a simple salad.
Potato dinner: Pair with mashed potatoes, baby potatoes, sweet potato cubes, or smashed potatoes.
Lower-carb plate: Serve with cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, roasted vegetables, or salad.
Rice bowl: Pull the meat from the bone and serve over rice with vegetables and a drizzle of sauce.
Meal prep: Remove the meat from the bone and pack it with rice, potatoes, vegetables, or salad ingredients.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Frozen Chicken Breast
Frozen Chicken Drumsticks
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
How to Store and Reheat Air Fried Chicken Thighs
Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Reheat refrigerated chicken thighs in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes, or just until hot and the skin crisps again. The microwave works when you are in a hurry, but the skin will soften.
For frozen cooked thighs, reheat at 350°F until hot, then increase to 400°F for a couple of minutes when the skin needs more crisping.
FAQs
Yes. Chicken thighs cook very well in the air fryer. Bone-in, skin-on thighs usually take about 20-24 minutes at 390°F, depending on their size.
I like 390°F for bone-in, skin-on thighs because it helps the skin crisp while the meat stays juicy.
Most bone-in chicken thighs take 20-24 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Small thighs may finish closer to 18-20 minutes, while larger thighs may need 22-24 minutes.
The skin may have been too wet, or the basket may have been crowded. Pat the skin dry before seasoning and cook the thighs in one layer so the air can move around them.
Check the thickest part of the thigh near the bone, but do not touch the bone with the thermometer. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F.
Keep cooking at 390°F until the thickest part reaches 165°F. When the chicken is almost done and the skin needs more color, finish at 400°F for 2-3 minutes.
More chicken thighs recipes you'll love
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Marinated Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken thighs Air Fryer Recipe
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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These air fryer bone-in chicken thighs have crispy skin and juicy meat with simple garlic, sage, rosemary, and butter seasoning. Cook them at 390°F and adjust the time based on the size of the thighs.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon melted unsalted butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, especially the skin.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and season with garlic, sage, rosemary, melted butter, salt, and black pepper. Toss until coated.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down in a single layer.
- Air fry at 390°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Flip the thighs and cook for another 10–12 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F. Check near the bone, but do not touch the bone with the thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving with your side dishes of choice.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 pieceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 18g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
