Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Paprika
Crisp-skinned chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer with a simple garlic-paprika rub for rich, savory flavor. This American-inspired air-fryer recipe (low-carb), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (about 12 oz total) bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in chicken thighs (12 oz total) dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Rub this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer chicken to an air fryer basket (skin-side up). Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 4: While chicken cooks, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then drizzle over cooked chicken before serving.








