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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs No Breading Recipe Easy Perfect Dinner Idea

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy, juicy chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer without breading, perfect for a fuss-free and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground preferred)

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the chicken thighs thoroughly with paper towels, about 3 minutes.
  2. Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the pieces.
  3. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning blend over the chicken.
  4. Toss to coat each thigh evenly with the oil and seasoning, especially the skin side, about 2 minutes.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 5 minutes.
  6. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes skin-side down to render fat and start crisping the skin.
  8. Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up using tongs and cook for another 10-12 minutes until skin is golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. If needed, cook 2-3 more minutes for extra crispiness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  10. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Preheating the air fryer improves skin texture. For extra crispy skin, a pinch of baking powder can be added to the seasoning. If using boneless thighs, cooking time may be shorter and skin will not be as crispy. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, air fryer chicken, no breading chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-no-breading-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/