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Home » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Paprika Chicken Thighs

Published: Apr 24, 2022 · Last Updated: Jan 18, 2023 by Aimee - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Air fryer paprika chicken thighs cook up perfectly in the air fryer and are juicy and flavorful. These chicken thighs are so easy to make and are perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Cooked chicken thighs in the air fryer.

Chicken thighs might be my favorite thing to make in the air fryer. The chicken stays juicy while the skin crisps up perfectly. I just love adding spices to it to give it different flavors.

And this recipe for air fryer paprika chicken thighs is quick and easy. No marinading needed! All you do is prep your chicken, add your spice rub, then pop in your air fryer. Super easy (and quick!) for a weeknight dinner, but delicious enough for date night at home.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs
  • Olive oil
  • Smoked paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt

What type of paprika to use:

I use smoked paprika in this recipe, because I love the flavor it gives the chicken thighs. However, you could use regular paprika if that's what you have or prefer. It just won't have that same smoky flavor that smoked paprika has.

Can you use boneless, skinless thighs?

Yes, you can! However, boneless, skinless thighs require less cook time than bone-in, skin-on thighs. Cook time for boneless, skinless thighs will be more around 12-14 minutes, however always check with a meat thermometer. Internal temperature of the thighs should be ideally 175-195 degrees F.

Equipment needed:

Air Fryer - This is an air fryer recipe, so you'll need an air fryer to make it! This is the one I have and love. Not sure which one is right for you? Check out 5 Things to Consider Before Buying an Air Fryer.

Air Fryer Parchment Paper - This is optional, and you can see I didn't use it in this recipe, but I do for many recipes when I want to make sure something doesn't stick, or I just want to keep my air fryer cleaner.

Meat thermometer - I always use my meat thermometer when cooking chicken to make sure it's cooked properly and to a safe temperature. This is the meat thermometer I have.

Recipe tips:

  • I always dry my chicken thighs thoroughly with a paper towel. This makes sure the chicken is dry before I add oil or spices, helping it to crisp up perfectly.
  • All air fryers cook differently (and different sizes of chicken thighs may need more or less time), please make sure your chicken is cooked properly before serving! Chicken is technically cooked at 165 F, but chicken thighs are a little juicier when cooked to a temperature of 175-180 F, so that's what I usually do.

How to make:

First, add your spices to a small bowl and mix together.

Spices in a white bowl.

Dry your chicken thighs with a paper towel.

Raw chicken thighs on a paper towel.

Drizzle the olive oil over your chicken thighs, then rub so that the olive oil has a chance to coat the thighs. Next, toss your chicken thighs with the spice mixture until coated.

Chicken thighs on a cutting board with paprika.

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degree F. Add your chicken thighs, skin side down, in a single layer to the air fryer basket. (Note, if you have a small air fryer, you may only be able to cook 2 thighs at a time).

Cook for 12 minutes, then flip and cook for another 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees F. Make sure chicken thighs are cooked through (A meat thermometer helps with this!)

Uncoooked chicken thighs in the air fryer.

Let rest for 5 minutes, then enjoy!

Air Fryer chicken thigh on a plate with a side of parsley.

Other chicken air fryer recipes:

  • Air Fryer Greek-inspired Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin
  • Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Southwest Chili Lime Chicken Thighs
Cooked chicken thighs in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Paprika Chicken Thighs

Recipe by Aimee
Air fryer paprika chicken thighs cook up perfectly in the air fryer and are juicy and flavorful. These chicken thighs are so easy to make and are perfect for a weeknight dinner.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 283 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs bone in, skin on
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Mix all your spices (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt) together in a small bowl.
  • Take your chicken thighs and dry with a paper towel. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and rub into all surfaces.
  • Add the spice mixture to the chicken thighs and make sure mixture is distributed evenly over all the chicken thighs.
  • Preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, then add the chicken thighs in a single layer to your air fryer basket, skin side down.
  • Cook chicken for 12 minutes, then flip and cook for another 10-12 minutes.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes, then enjoy!

Notes

  • I always dry my chicken thighs thoroughly with a paper towel. This makes sure the chicken is dry before I add oil or spices, helping it to crisp up perfectly.
  • All air fryers cook differently (and different sizes of chicken thighs may need more or less time), please make sure your chicken is cooked properly before serving! Chicken is technically cooked at 165 F, but chicken thighs are a little juicier when cooked to a temperature of 175-180 F, so that's what I usually do.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 379mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 581IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.

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