The polyaniline (PANI) with chitosan (CS) (PANI@CS) was synthesized using in-situ polymerization process and its preparation was assured by surface area, XPS, TPD, XRD, FTIR, TGA and SEM analysis. PANI@CS, CS and PANI were used for the removal of acetaminophen (AAP). The maximum value of adsorption capacities were found to be 385.25 mg.g−1 for PANI@CS, 359.84 mg.g−1 for CS and 242.49 mg.g−1 for PANI which reveal that the adsorption capacity of hybrid adsorbent is major than CS and PANI respectively. Moreover, H–bonding, π–π bonding, pore-filling and chemisorption have been suggested as probable mechanism for the elimination of AAP by PANI@CS. Furthermore, AAP elimination was preferable at pH 7.0. Pseudo-second-order (PSO) and Langmuir models reported the kinetic and isotherm data acceptably. This shows that the adsorption processes of AAP are a monolayer chemical adsorption, and it was endothermic, spontaneous, and favorable for the three adsorbents. Moreover, when reused, the hybrid adsorbent remains at around 69% of their original capacities after five adsorption cycles.