Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Crispy and Juicy – Made with Potatoes
Air fryer chicken thighs are a game changer. A delicious weeknight meal you can make anytime that’s ready in minutes, but still fancy enough for weekend company!
Do you own an air fryer? If not, you may just be convinced to buy one after seeing this recipe, and these crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs!
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I don’t like to use lots of different contraptions in my kitchen, like the Instant Pot or Thermomix, but I am sold on air fryers! I do use my oven more during the winter, and even have a recipe for roast chicken. However, I have been using an air fryer for the past few years and there’s rarely a day that I don’t use it at least once. Just so you know, this is not a sponsored post, I just love using an air fryer for several reasons.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
Here are a few reasons to use an air fryer:
- It cooks faster than a traditional oven, saving time.
- You can cook, bake and roast without heating up the entire kitchen (a lifesaver during summer in LA).
- It takes up less space for those with limited kitchen space, small apartments, dorms, etc.
- It uses much less energy than a large, conventional oven.
- It reheats almost all food better than a microwave, keeping it crisp instead of soggy.
- Air fryers are inexpensive.
I love to make rack of lamb in my air fryer.
How Long Should you Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer?
Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs, you’ll cook them in an air fryer anywhere from 18 to 25 minutes until they are ready (internal temperature of 165 F (74 C).
Find out how to roast chestnuts in an air fryer.
Can you put raw Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Raw chicken can definitely be put into an air fryer. The only caveat is that you want to make sure there’s some sort of parchment paper or enough oil so that it doesn’t stick. Follow this recipe for foolproof results, even the first time.
What Should I Serve With Chicken Thighs?
With this recipe, you’ll already have a side to go with your air fryer chicken thighs, without using another pot, pan or dish: roasted air fryer potatoes! If you don’t like or eat potatoes, you can skip them entirely. You can also add a salad to this combination for a perfect meal. Otherwise, choose from these side dishes which pair perfectly with chicken thighs ~
- Sautéed rapini (like broccolini)
- Green bean salad.
- Tiny truffled hasselback potatoes.
- Greek salad
- Vegetarian stuffing recipe.
What Makes these Chicken Thighs so Crispy, Juicy and Flavorful?
Don’t skip marinating the chicken thighs, which is what gives this recipe its outstanding results. It takes 5 minutes to make the marinade. I advise doing it the night before, but you can still marinate the thighs a few hours beforehand with tasty results.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Crispy and Juicy –
Made with Potatoes
Recipe by Christina Conte serves 2
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- chicken thighs
- salt
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- garlic
- rosemary
- (black pepper – optional)
- potatoes
Special equipment: an air fryer (<- this is the one I own)
Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, or covered dish, place the chicken thighs with the salt, lemon juice, oil, garlic and rosemary (and black pepper, if using). Mix well and chill overnight or for a few hours, minimum. About an hour before dinner time, remove the chicken from the fridge and continue with the recipe.
Prepare the Potatoes
Scrub and cut the potatoes in into pieces (if not organic, peel the potatoes). Put into a pot or bowl and cover with water for 5 minutes. Rinse and dry, then put back into a dry bowl or pot, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and toss to coat.
Turn the air fryer on and preheat to 400 F (200 C).
Roast the Chicken in the Air Fryer (with the potatoes)
Put a layer of the oil coated potatoes into the bottom of the air fryer and top with the four chicken thighs.
Don’t add any of the liquid marinade, but the pieces of garlic and rosemary are fine. Set for 20 minutes and allow to cook.
Check the chicken thighs, but don’t do it too often as it will slow down the cooking.
Turn the thighs and stir the potatoes after about 10 minutes.
Continue to cook, and you’ll begin to smell a gorgeous aroma! You can turn the thighs over one last time and stir the potatoes so they brown evenly.
The end result will have you salivating before it’s even on your plate. Check the temperature with an inexpensive meat thermometer before taking it out of the air fryer.
Serve the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Potatoes.
Remove the chicken first, then sprinkle the potatoes with salt, as desired. You can serve the dish directly onto individual plates, or put onto a serving platter with some sprigs of rosemary (this is nice if you’re having company).
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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Crispy and Juicy - Made with Potatoes
Special Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs (organic)
- 1 tsp sea salt plus more for potatoes
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil another tablespoon for the potatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (optional)
- 3 potatoes (organic)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, or covered dish, place the chicken thighs with the salt, lemon juice, oil, garlic and rosemary (and black pepper, if using). Mix well and chill overnight or for a few hours, minimum.
- About an hour before dinner time, remove the chicken from the fridge and continue with the recipe.
Prepare the Potatoes :
- Scrub and cut the potatoes in into pieces (if not organic, peel the potatoes). Put into a pot or bowl and cover with water for 5 minutes.
- Rinse and dry, then put back into a dry bowl or pot, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and toss to coat.
- Turn the air fryer on and preheat to 400℉ (200℃).
Roast the Chicken in the Air Fryer (with the potatoes):
- Put a layer of the oil coated potatoes into the bottom of the air fryer and top with the four chicken thighs.
- Don't add any of the liquid marinade, but the pieces of garlic and rosemary are fine. Set for 20 minutes and allow to cook.
- Check the chicken thighs, but don't do it too often as it will slow down the cooking.
- Turn the thighs and stir the potatoes after about 10 minutes.
- Continue to cook, and you'll begin to smell a gorgeous aroma! You can turn the thighs over one last time and stir the potatoes so they brown evenly.
- Check the temperature with an inexpensive meat thermometer and cook for a few more minutes, if necessary, before taking the chicken thighs out of the air fryer.
Serve the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Potatoes:
- Remove the chicken first, then sprinkle the potatoes with salt, as desired.
- You can serve the dish directly onto individual plates, or put onto a serving platter with some sprigs of rosemary (this is nice if you're having company).
Notes
- It's important to note that marinating the chicken thighs is very important in this recipe. You won't have the same results if you skip this step.
- NB: you can cook this in a traditional oven at 375 F for 45 minutes (turning once or twice) or until cooked.
Nutrition
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These chicken thighs were as tasty as they look! Such a simple recipe but so delicious! Thank you!
Thank you for posting an explanation on why to use an air fryer. It never occurred to me to warm food up in my air fryer. I have only made french fries in mine. I will write a review on your chicken thigh recipe when I make it! I know it will be delicious!
Happy to hear you have one, Sue! I love using it on frozen food that should be crisp. The microwave ruins it, the oven takes so long to heat up, takes up more energy and even on convection, doesn’t make things as crisp as the air fryer, so it’s a win-win! Let me know what you think of the chicken :)
Looks delicious! Maybe one day I will break down and get a air fryer!
It’s definitely a useful kitchen appliance!
I don’t have an air fryer but thanks so much for explaining it all so well with the difference between an oven.
Christina, I have an air fryer setting as part of my Breville “Smart Oven Air”, but things don’t seem to turn out well. For example, the french fries come out soggy in the middle no matter how thin I slice them.
I know all air fryers are a little different, and I know that the Breville Oven is not just an air fryer. But should I give up on it? My husband loves chicken thighs, though.
Judy
Breville air fryers are not that inexpensive, so I would hope they work at least as well as the cheaper ones! This sounds like something I would contact the manufacturer about, Judy. Fries should definitely NOT be soggy in an air fryer (any part of them). So no, I wouldn’t give up, but would find out what is wrong with your air fryer. You very well may have a “lemon”. Let me know what happens!