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Easy Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Parmesan

air fryer chicken thighs garlic parmesan - featured image
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Crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs with a savory garlic parmesan crust. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup, this simple weeknight dinner proves that sometimes the best approach is the simplest one.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
  • Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, pressing firmly to remove all moisture.
  3. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to break up clumps.
  4. Place dried thighs in a medium bowl. Sprinkle seasoning mixture over them and toss with your hands until evenly coated. Optionally, lift the skin gently and rub some seasoning underneath.
  5. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
  6. Arrange thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the basket, leaving about 1/2 inch between each piece. Cook in batches if needed.
  7. Cook for 12 minutes at 400°F without opening the basket.
  8. Flip the chicken using tongs. Spray the tops lightly with oil.
  9. Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the skin side of each thigh (about 1 tablespoon per thigh).
  10. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning, until the Parmesan is melted and golden brown.
  11. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone). Target 175-180°F. If not done, cook in 2-minute increments.
  12. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  13. Garnish with fresh parsley and squeeze lemon wedges over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat chicken thighs very dry for crispiest skin. Add Parmesan in the last 5-7 minutes to prevent burning. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. For best results, use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. If air fryer is smaller, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Nutrition

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

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