Crispy-skinned, spectacularly juicy, and garlic paprika-rubbed Air Fryer Hen Thighs are a no-effort recipe that earns unanimous reward and augments kitchen swagger.

Of the handfuls of air fryer recipes I’ve examined, these air fryer hen thighs earned the very best honor awarded in our family: my husband requested them for dinner each week.

In actual fact, he known as them the perfect hen I’ve ever made!

Between all of the methods I cook dinner hen—Baked Hen Thighs, Pan-Fried Hen Breast, and all of those wholesome hen recipes—that’s fairly a press release.

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, hen not often causes a coronary heart flutter.

(Until it’s Air Fryer Hen Wings, however let’s be actual—that’s extra concerning the Buffalo sauce.)

Every thing You Must Know About Air Fryer Hen Thighs

On the diner’s finish, these juicy hen thighs have the whole lot going for them.

• The meat is juicier than you ever thought hen may very well be.
• The seasoning tastes evenly smoky and complicated, a great profile for hen.
• The pores and skin is so shatteringly crispy, even those that normally don’t eat hen pores and skin (me), will discover themselves nibbling crunchy items.

However that’s not the top of the story.

From the cook dinner’s perspective (that’s me and also you), this quick and straightforward dinner is a transparent winner.

• Bone-in hen thighs cook dinner in 16 to twenty minutes within the air fryer at 400 levels F.
• You don’t have to spend time marinating the hen thighs earlier than air frying.
• The rub is comprised of frequent spices you probably have already got in your pantry, like paprika and garlic powder.

Make Crispy Hen Thighs within the Air Fryer

For this recipe, you should use bone-in or boneless hen thighs (I’ve included instances for each), however I extremely advocate utilizing bone-in, skin-on hen for this recipe.

• As with this Baked Bone-In Hen Breast and Air Fryer Complete Hen, the pores and skin locks in moisture, so you don’t have to spend time brining the meat for glorious outcomes, the best way you’ll with boneless Air Fryer Hen Breast.
• The bone flavors the meat from inside and makes it tougher to overcook the hen.
• Bone-in, skin-on hen thighs are a discount in comparison with boneless.
• Hen thighs are wholesome! They don’t deserve the dangerous rap they generally get. Ready the correct manner (like within the air fryer), they’re a wonderful, lean supply of protein and include necessary vitamins like zinc and iron.

The Substances

• Hen Thighs. Bone-in, skin-on hen 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 mix of paprika and smoked paprika supplies the proper stability 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 hen thighs and the pores and skin to crisp. No cooking spray wanted.

The Instructions

1. Stir the spice combination collectively in a bowl.

2. Pat dry the thighs with paper towel, then add them to the bowl. Coat the hen with oil and the spices.

3. Place hen thighs pores and skin aspect down within the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry hen thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 levels F, flip midway by way of. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Let relaxation for five minutes. ENJOY! High with contemporary parsley, cilantro, or thyme.

Extra Methods to Season Air Fryer Hen Thighs Recipe

• Parmesan Air Fryer Hen 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 Hen Thighs. Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice combination.
• Brown Sugar Air Fryer Hen Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to the spice combination. (For a BBQ-like end, serve the thighs with my delicious Barbecue Sauce or any bbq sauce.)
• Italian Air Fryer Hen Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the spice combination.
• Curry Air Fryer Hen Thighs. Add 2 teaspoons curry powder to the spice combination. (This might be delish with Turmeric Rice.)
• Garlic Butter Air Fryer Hen 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 Hen 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 hen in an hermetic 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.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Hen Thighs

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• In a big bowl, mix the paprika, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
• Pat the hen thighs very dry on either side, then add to the bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then toss to coat within the spice combination.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Add the hen thighs in a single layer, skin-side down (be certain they don’t seem to be touching; if they’re, cook dinner the hen in batches).
• Air fry the hen thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping midway by way of, till an immediate learn thermometer inserted on the thickest a part of a thigh (however not touching bone) reaches 155°F. Put aside, cowl, and let relaxation for five minutes (hen is taken into account by the FDA cooked at 165°F, however the temperature will proceed to rise because it rests; air fryer fashions differ in cooking time, so test early to be protected). Serve sizzling, 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°F, then add the hen smooth-side down. Prepare dinner for six to eight minutes, flipping midway by way of, till the hen reaches 155°F on an immediate learn thermometer. Let relaxation for five to 10 minutes (the temperature will proceed to rise), then get pleasure from heat.
• TO STORE: Refrigerate hen 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°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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