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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Parmesan

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Crispy air fryer chicken thighs with garlic Parmesan are a quick and easy weeknight dinner, delivering shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat in about 30 minutes. This recipe uses a double-seasoning method for the perfect crunch every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (finely grated, not shredded)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels until the skin feels tacky, not wet.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the skin side of the chicken thighs only. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Brush the skin side of the chicken lightly with olive oil.
  5. Place the chicken skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece.
  6. Cook at 380°F for 18 minutes without opening the basket.
  7. Flip the chicken using tongs and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C) at the thickest part.
  8. While the chicken finishes, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl to form a paste.
  9. As soon as the chicken comes out of the air fryer, brush the garlic Parmesan butter onto the skin side. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken skin thoroughly—moisture prevents crispiness. Let chicken come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking for even cooking. Use a meat thermometer for best results; chicken thighs are best at 180-185°F. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the basket. Let chicken rest 3-5 minutes after brushing on garlic butter to allow juices to redistribute.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, keto chicken, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-with-garlic-parmesan/