Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 22–25 mins | Total: 30 mins | Serves: 4
Best For: Weeknight dinners, meal prep, family meals, quick and easy cooking

Introduction

These easy air fryer crispy chicken thighs are everything you want in a fast weeknight dinner — golden, crunchy skin and juicy, tender chicken inside. Made with simple spices and cooked with minimal oil, they deliver big flavour without the fuss of deep frying or long oven times.

Perfect for busy families, meal prep, or pairing with your favourite sides like rice, salad, roast vegetables, or Pacific staples, this recipe is reliable, budget-friendly, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Gathering the Ingredients

You will need:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  
  
  

Optional variations:

• Add chilli powder for heat

• Swap thyme for mixed herbs

• Add ½ teaspoon brown sugar for a caramelised finish

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer
   Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.

2. Season the chicken
   Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
   Drizzle with oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme.
   Rub seasoning evenly across the skin and underside.

3. Cook the chicken
   Place thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
   Cook for 10 minutes, then flip to skin-side up and cook for another 12–15 minutes, or until crispy and golden.

4. Check doneness
   Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
   Skin should be crisp and bubbling.

5. Serve
   Rest for 2 minutes, then serve with rice, salad, vegetables, or your favourite sides.

Helpful Tips

• Patting the chicken dry helps the skin crisp up properly.

• Cooking skin-side down first helps render the fat.

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer — cook in batches if needed.

• Add a squeeze of lemon before serving for freshness.

• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Why This Recipe Works

• Crispy skin without deep frying

• Tender, juicy meat every time

• Uses simple, affordable ingredients

• Fast and beginner-friendly

• Great for weekly meal prep

• Versatile and family loved

Explore More Family-Friendly Favourites

If you loved this recipe, try:

• Easy One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

• Easy One-Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken

• Simple Family-Friendly Chili