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Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs for a Crowd (Easy!)

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Perfectly crispy air fryer chicken thighs with juicy meat and bold seasoning, ready in under 40 minutes. Ideal for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds total)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for serving)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)
  • Flaky sea salt (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  4. Place dried chicken thighs in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Sprinkle seasoning mixture over chicken and toss until evenly coated.
  5. Arrange seasoned thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down, without touching.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes.
  7. Flip the chicken thighs carefully using tongs. Reduce temperature to 375°F and cook for another 10-12 minutes.
  8. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 175-185°F at the thickest part.
  9. Let chicken thighs rest on a cutting board or wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. For multiple batches, keep finished thighs warm on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
  11. Garnish with fresh herbs, flaky sea salt, and lemon wedges before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best results. The two-temperature method (400°F then 375°F) ensures crispy skin without burning. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

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Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/best-crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-for-a-crowd-easy/