Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rub
Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are seasoned with a bold garlic herb rub and cooked to perfection in the air fryer for crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked preferred)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a rub.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken thighs.
- Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side up.
- Air fry for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Optionally, squeeze lemon juice over the cooked chicken before serving.
Notes
- Drying the chicken skin helps achieve crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Use boneless thighs for a quicker cooking time (14–16 minutes).
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer to maintain crisp skin.
- Marinate the chicken in the rub for 1–2 hours for deeper flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 110mg