Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe is a crispy and juicy recipe, which is made with seasoned salt and paprika. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 35 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs (about 2 1/4 lb.)
- Nonstick cooking spray
How To Make Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine the seasoned salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken thighs, rubbing it in gently.
- Cook skin-side down: Spray the basket of your air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 18 minutes.
- Flip and crisp the skin: After 18 minutes, use tongs to turn the chicken thighs so they are skin-side up. Spray the skin all over with nonstick cooking spray. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook for about 10 more minutes, until the skin is crispy and golden brown and the internal temperature of the thighs reaches at least 165°F. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to get extra crispy skin? The two most important steps are to pat the chicken skin completely dry with a paper towel before seasoning and to spray the skin with nonstick cooking spray before the final high-heat crisping.
- Can I use boneless thighs? Yes, boneless, skinless thighs work well. They will cook faster, so reduce the initial cooking time to about 12-15 minutes before flipping and finishing.
- What if I don’t have seasoned salt? You can make your own by mixing regular salt with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, and a little extra paprika.
- Can I use other seasonings? Absolutely. This is a great base recipe. Feel free to use lemon pepper, a BBQ rub, or a Cajun seasoning blend instead of the Italian seasoning.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
This simple, crispy chicken pairs well with almost any side dish.
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus
- Creamy mashed potatoes or a baked sweet potato
- A simple side salad with a vinaigrette
- Macaroni and cheese
How To Store Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: The cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. For best results, reheat in the air fryer to crisp the skin back up.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 30g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
This recipe does not require preheating, as the chicken goes in for a longer initial cook time. However, preheating for 3-5 minutes can sometimes lead to an even crispier result.
Why aren’t my chicken thighs crispy?
This is usually due to one of two things: overcrowding the basket or not getting the skin dry enough. Make sure the thighs are in a single layer with space between them, and always pat the skin very dry before seasoning.
Can I cook these from frozen?
It’s not recommended for best results, as the skin may not get as crispy. If you must, you will need to increase the cooking time significantly, likely adding 10-15 minutes to the initial cook time.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Verde Burritos Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pot Pie Toast Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pot Pie with Phyllo Dough Recipe
Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
Description
A super easy and quick recipe for incredibly crispy and juicy chicken thighs made right in the air fryer with a simple, savory seasoning blend.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine all seasonings in a small bowl. Pat chicken thighs dry and sprinkle the seasoning mix all over them.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place chicken skin-side down.
- Cook at 375°F for 18 minutes.
- Flip the chicken skin-side up and spray the skin with cooking spray.
- Increase heat to 400°F and cook for 10 more minutes until the skin is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003ePatting the chicken skin very dry with a paper towel is the most important step for achieving maximum crispiness.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure the hot air can circulate properly.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe final high-heat step is what makes the skin perfectly golden and crispy, so don’t skip it.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eAlways check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached at least 165°F.u003c/liu003e
