Air Fryer Hen Thighs – WellPlated.com

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 rooster thighs earned the best honor awarded in our family: my husband requested them for dinner each week.

The truth is, he referred to as them the very best rooster I’ve ever made!

Between all of the methods I prepare dinner rooster—Baked Hen Thighs, Pan-Fried Hen 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 Hen Wings, however let’s be actual—that’s extra concerning the Buffalo sauce.)

The whole lot You Have to Know About Air Fryer Hen Thighs

On the diner’s finish, these juicy rooster thighs have every little thing going for them.

• The meat is juicier than you ever thought rooster might be.
• The seasoning tastes evenly smoky and sophisticated, an excellent profile for rooster.
• The pores and skin is so shatteringly crispy, even those that often 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), this quick and simple dinner is a transparent winner.

• 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 comprised of widespread spices you doubtless have already got in your pantry, like paprika and garlic powder.

Easy methods to Make Crispy Hen Thighs within the Air Fryer

For this recipe, you should utilize bone-in or boneless rooster thighs (I’ve included instances for each), however I extremely advocate utilizing bone-in, skin-on rooster 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 wonderful outcomes, the way in which you’ll with boneless Air Fryer Hen 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.
• Hen thighs are wholesome! They don’t deserve the dangerous rap they generally get. Ready the appropriate means (like within the air fryer), they’re a wonderful, lean supply of protein and comprise essential vitamins like zinc and iron.

The Substances

• Hen 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 offers the right steadiness of sweetness and smokiness.
• Garlic Powder. For a contact of addictive garlicky taste.
• Salt + Pepper. Basic, can’t-miss taste additions.
• Olive Oil. Helps the spice combination adhere to the rooster 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 rooster with oil and the spices.

3. Place rooster thighs pores and skin aspect down within the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry rooster thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 levels F, flip midway by. Use a meat thermometer to examine 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 may 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. (Good 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 Ideas

• To Retailer. Refrigerate rooster 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 rooster thighs very dry on each 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 rooster thighs in a single layer, skin-side down (be certain that they aren’t touching; if they’re, prepare dinner the rooster in batches).

• Air fry the rooster thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping midway by, till an instantaneous 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 (rooster 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 examine 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°F, then add the rooster smooth-side down. Cook dinner for six to eight minutes, flipping midway by, till the rooster reaches 155°F on an instantaneous learn thermometer. Let relaxation for five to 10 minutes (the temperature will proceed to rise), then get pleasure from 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°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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