Crispy-skinned, spectacularly juicy, smoky paprika-rubbed Air Fryer Rooster Thighs are a no-effort recipe that earns unanimous reward and augments kitchen swagger.
Of the handfuls (a whole lot?) of recipes I’ve examined the final a number of months, air fryer rooster thighs are the primary to earn the best honor awarded in our family:
- Ben fervently declared that he’d love for me to prepare dinner “precisely this” each week, ceaselessly.
He even went as far as to name this the very best rooster he’d ever had.
Between Baked Rooster Thighs, Pan-Fried Rooster Breast, and all of those wholesome rooster recipes, that’s fairly an announcement.
I do know he means it too, as a result of, whereas he will get jazzed about different proteins like Air Fryer Salmon or Air Fryer Pork Chops, rooster hardly ever causes a coronary heart flutter.
(Until it’s Air Fryer Rooster Wings, however let’s be actual—that’s extra in regards to the Buffalo sauce.)
On the diner’s finish, these juicy thighs have every little thing going for them.
- The meat is juicier than you ever thought rooster may very well be.
- The seasoning tastes flippantly smoky and sophisticated, a really perfect profile for rooster.
- The pores and skin is so shatteringly crispy, even those that normally don’t eat rooster pores and skin (me), will discover themselves nibbling crunchy items.
However that’s not the tip of the story.
From the prepare dinner’s perspective (that’s me and also you), it’s onerous to seek out a neater recipe, not to mention one which’s this simple AND this quick.
- Bone-in rooster thighs prepare dinner in 16 to twenty minutes within the air fryer at 400 levels F.
- You don’t have to spend time marinating the rooster thighs earlier than air frying.
- The rub is produced from widespread spices you seemingly have already got in your pantry, like paprika and garlic powder.
Methods to Make Crispy, Juicy Air Fryer Rooster Thighs
For this recipe, you should utilize bone-in or boneless rooster thighs (I’ve included instances for each), however I extremely suggest utilizing bone-in, skin-on for this recipe.
- As with this Baked Bone-In Rooster Breast, the pores and skin locks in moisture, so that you don’t have to spend time brining the meat for glorious outcomes, the way in which you’d with Air Fryer Rooster Breast.
- The bone flavors the meat from inside and makes it more durable to overcook the rooster.
- Bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs are a discount in comparison with boneless.
- Rooster thighs are wholesome! They don’t deserve the unhealthy rap they generally get. Ready the best means (like within the air fryer), they’re a wonderful, lean supply of protein and include necessary vitamins like zinc and iron.
The Components
- Rooster Thighs. Bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs are perfect for the air fryer. The meat stays tender and juicy throughout cooking, and the pores and skin turns into crackly and crispy.
- Paprika + Smoked Paprika. The mixture of paprika and smoked paprika gives the right steadiness of sweetness and smokiness.
- Garlic Powder. For a contact of addictive garlicky taste.
- Salt + Pepper. Traditional, can’t-miss taste additions.
- Olive Oil. Helps the spice combination adhere to the rooster thighs and the pores and skin to crisp.
The Instructions
- Stir the spice combination collectively in a bowl.
- Dry the thighs, then add them to the bowl. Coat the rooster with oil and the spices.
- Add the rooster thighs skin-side all the way down to an air fryer.
- Air fryer rooster thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 levels F, flipping midway via. Let relaxation for five minutes. ENJOY!
Extra Methods to Season Air Fryer Rooster Thighs
- Parmesan Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Add 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese to your spice combination. (I’ll have this with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, please.)
- Spicy Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice combination.
- Brown Sugar Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to the spice combination. (For a BBQ-like end, serve the thighs with my delicious Barbecue Sauce.)
- Italian Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the spice combination.
- Curry Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons curry powder to the spice combination. (This may be delish with Turmeric Rice.)
- Garlic Butter Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Omit the smoked paprika, add an additional teaspoon of garlic powder, and swap the olive oil for melted butter. (Excellent for pairing with Garlic Pasta.)
- Lemon Air Fryer Rooster Thighs. Add zest of 1 lemon to the spice combination. (Do that with Pasta al Limone or Lemon Rice. YUM!)
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Refrigerate rooster in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the air fryer.
- To Freeze. Freeze thighs in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 1 day upfront, coat the rooster thighs within the oil and spice combination. Cowl and refrigerate till you’re able to prepare dinner.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Rooster Thighs
Advisable Instruments to Make this Recipe
The Finest Air Fryer
A sooner and fewer messy strategy to take pleasure in your favourite crispy meals. This mannequin is barely bigger than most, that means you may prepare dinner extra directly.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Sure! In contrast to Crockpot Shredded Rooster, it’s OK to place uncooked rooster in an air fryer. I might solely recommend this with boneless, skinless rooster thighs, because the bone-in form could be troublesome to thaw. Air fry frozen rooster thighs at 360 levels F for 12 minutes, flipping midway via, then verify for doneness.
Whereas I really like utilizing bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs for this recipe, you should utilize boneless thighs as an alternative. See the recipe notes for ideas.
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs (about 2 to 2 1/2 kilos), see notes to make use of boneless rooster thighs
- 2 tablespoons additional virgin olive oil
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Chopped contemporary parsley or cilantro for serving
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In a big bowl, mix the paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
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Pat the rooster thighs very dry on either side, then add to the bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then toss to coat within the spice combination.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 levels F. Add the rooster thighs in a single layer, skin-side down (be sure that they don’t seem to be touching; if they’re, prepare dinner the rooster in batches).
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Air fry the rooster thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping midway via, till an immediate learn thermometer inserted on the thickest a part of a thigh (however not touching bone) reaches 155 levels F. Put aside, cowl, and let relaxation for five minutes (rooster is taken into account by the FDA cooked at 165 levels F, however the temperature will proceed to rise because it rests; air fryer fashions differ in cooking instances, so verify early to be secure). Serve scorching, with lemon wedges (squeeze them excessive of your serving) and sprinkled with contemporary herbs.
- FOR BONELESS THIGHS: Coat with the spice combination as directed. Preheat the air fryer to 380 levels F, then add the rooster smooth-side down. Cook dinner for six to eight minutes, flipping midway via, till the rooster reaches 155 levels F on an immediate learn thermometer. Let relaxation for five to 10 minutes (the temperature will proceed to rise), then take pleasure in heat.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate rooster in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze thighs in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFats: 31gSaturated Fats: 7gPolyunsaturated Fats: 6gMonounsaturated Fats: 15gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 142mgPotassium: 369mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1407IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg
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