Description
These crispy air fryer garlic Parmesan chicken thighs are quick, easy, and deliver shatteringly crisp skin with juicy, tender meat. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for serving, optional)
- Extra grated Parmesan (for serving, optional)
- Lemon wedges (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- In another small bowl, mix the melted butter, olive oil, and minced fresh garlic.
- Brush the butter mixture all over each chicken thigh, including underneath the skin if possible.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan seasoning mixture generously over each thigh, pressing gently into the skin. Flip and repeat on the other side.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, making sure they are not touching. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook at 380°F for 18 minutes. Do not flip. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C). If not, cook in 2-minute increments.
- For extra crispy skin, increase temperature to 400°F (204°C) for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Use fresh garlic in the butter mixture and garlic powder in the dry coating to prevent burning. Let the coated chicken rest in the fridge for 15 minutes for extra crispiness. Watch the Parmesan closely during the last few minutes as it can burn quickly. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 32
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, keto chicken, low carb chicken