Print

Crispy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs: Easy 20-Min Recipe

air fryer lemon chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

Ridiculously crispy air fryer chicken thighs with lemon that change your weeknight dinner game completely. Quick, easy, and made with simple ingredients for a golden, crackling skin without the mess of deep-frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds total)
  • 2 medium lemons
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon table salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, getting in between the skin and the meat if possible. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir with a fork, breaking up any lumps.
  3. Zest and juice one lemon to get about 1 tablespoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice. Slice the other lemon into rounds.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat. Sprinkle the dry seasoning mixture over the chicken and toss again until each thigh is evenly coated, using your hands to rub the seasonings into the skin.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for about 3 minutes.
  6. Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Tuck lemon slices in between the chicken pieces.
  7. Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes without opening the basket.
  8. Carefully flip the chicken thighs using tongs. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175-180°F and the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  9. Let the chicken rest in the air fryer basket (turned off) for about 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter with the roasted lemon slices.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken thoroughly for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. For larger thighs, add 2-3 minutes cooking time. If skin browns too quickly, reduce temperature to 370°F. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, lemon chicken, crispy chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, keto-friendly

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/crispy-air-fryer-lemon-chicken-thighs-easy-20-min-recipe/