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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Easy No Breading Recipe

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This recipe delivers incredibly crispy, juicy chicken thighs without any breading, ready in under 30 minutes. The secret is a two-temperature air fryer method that ensures shatteringly crisp skin and tender meat every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs / 900g)
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons (9g) kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon (2g) black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon (1g) dried thyme or rosemary (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. For best results, let them sit uncovered in the fridge for 15-30 minutes.
  2. Place the dry chicken thighs in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and rub all over the skin and underneath if possible. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle evenly over all sides of the chicken and rub in gently.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, leaving about half an inch of space between each. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  5. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes. The skin will become browned and bubbly.
  6. Flip the thighs skin-side up using tongs. Reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook for another 10-14 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175-185°F (80-85°C) at the thickest part away from the bone.
  7. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest on a cooling rack or plate for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the crispiest skin, try a dry brine: season the chicken with salt only and place uncovered on a wire rack in the fridge for 4-24 hours. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed. Use a meat thermometer for best results; aim for 175-185°F (80-85°C) for tender, juicy meat. Let the chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, no breading chicken, keto chicken, low carb chicken, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-no-breading-recipe/