Do you love fried chicken but don’t want to take the time or mess to make it yourself? With my instructions and an air fryer, you can easily have fried chicken on your plate in less than 30 minutes. These air fryer chicken thighs are so good with their crispy fried skin and tender meat. They are naturally gluten-free and are keto.

I only use salt on my fried chicken but feel free to add your own favorite seasonings.

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How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs:

I use a 5.8 Qt GoWise Air Fryer and it easily fits 4 chicken thighs. So depending on the size of your air fryer adjust the number of thighs. You don’t want the thighs too crowded together. Trim off any unwanted fatty pieces on the thighs and then pat dry with a paper towel.

Using an oil sprayer lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken thighs skin side up in the basket and spritz the top side of the thighs and sprinkle with salt.

Cook at 400° for 10 minutes.

Steps To Keep Your Air Fryer From Smoking:

While these are cooking set out a hot pad and a plate. You’ll need those for the next step.

This next step is important to keep your air fryer from smoking. Chicken thighs have a lot of fat in them and as they cook the fat will drip down in the bottom basket. If there is too much fat your air fryer may start putting out smoke. So to keep the smoke down you’ll need to remove the excess oil halfway through. This is where the hot pad and plate come in.

Remove the basket from the air fryer and set it on the hot pad and then remove the inner basket and set it on a plate. Carefully pour out the fat that has gathered in the bottom basket into a heatproof bowl or mug. Be sure to carefully wipe away any oil that may have dripped on the side of the outer basket. Replace the inner basket into the outer basket and then turn the thighs over and spritz with oil again.

Continue Cooking:

Cook for another 7 minutes and turn one last time with the skin side up and cook 2-3 more minutes to finish crisping up the skin.

I use a meat thermometer to check to make sure they are fully cooked. The thermometer should read 165°. If you don’t have a thermometer check to see that the juice from the thigh is clear by making a cut into the thickest area.

And then enjoy your fried chicken!

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:

Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Carrots
Air Fryer Korean Chicken Wings