Print

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

crispy garlic parmesan air fryer chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for crispy, garlicky, and cheesy chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced fresh (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the 4 chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, grated parmesan, olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest if using. Stir until it forms a thick paste (5 minutes).
  3. Rub the garlic parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, covering both skin and underside (5 minutes).
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding (2 minutes).
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the thighs skin-side up carefully using tongs and cook an additional 10-12 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) (22 minutes total).
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices and help the crust set (5 minutes).

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning for crispiness. Preheat air fryer for best results. Flip chicken halfway through cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even crisping. If parmesan browns too quickly, lower temperature and extend cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness (165°F). For leftovers, reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, weeknight meal, party chicken

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/crispy-garlic-parmesan-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner/