Print

Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Thighs

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make bold, juicy chicken with a crisp, spicy crust in minutes using an air fryer. Perfect for busy nights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 chicken thighs (about 2 lb; bone-in, skin-on for best crisp)
  • 1.5 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt (use 1 teaspoon if using table salt)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1.5 teaspoons chili powder
  • 0.5–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey (optional, balances heat)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (plus extra wedges to serve)
  • Fresh parsley or green onion for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim extra fat if needed.
  2. In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar (if using).
  3. Drizzle thighs with olive oil and lemon juice. Rub the spice mix all over the chicken until well coated.
  4. Let the chicken rest 10–20 minutes (or cover and chill up to 12 hours). Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
  5. Place thighs in a single layer, skin-side down, in the air fryer basket. Do not crowd; cook in batches if needed.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes. Flip skin-side up and cook 8–10 minutes more, until the skin is crisp and the internal temp is 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest 5 minutes. Squeeze a little extra lemon on top, garnish with herbs, and serve hot.

Notes

For extra crisp, dry the skin well. Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking powder into the spices for even more crunch. Use a thermometer to check for doneness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesunfolded.com/air-fryer-spicy-chicken-thighs/

×