Crispy Garlic-Paprika Air-Fried Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy bone-in chicken thighs coated in aromatic spices and air-fried to golden perfection, perfect for a high-protein keto meal. This American-inspired air-fryer recipe (keto, high protein), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, avocado oil, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels until no moisture remains, then place in a bowl. Drizzle with 2 tbsp avocado oil and use hands to rub oil evenly over all surfaces.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the bowl. Massage spices into the chicken until fully coated, ensuring even coverage on skin and meat.
  3. Step 3: Arrange thighs skin-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Set air fryer to 390°F (199°C) and cook for 20 minutes, then flip thighs and cook for 5 more minutes until skin is golden brown and crisp, audible sizzling stops.
  4. Step 4: Rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.

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