Description
Crispy, golden air fryer chicken thighs coated in a garlic Parmesan crust that’s juicy on the inside and perfectly crunchy on the outside. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy fall recipe is a weeknight dinner winner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- Extra fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs and rub in gently.
- In a medium bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, finely grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir with a fork until well mixed.
- Pour melted butter over the breadcrumb mixture and toss with a fork until crumbs are evenly moistened and slightly clumpy.
- Working one thigh at a time, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides generously. Place coated thighs on a plate.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Place coated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, leaving at least 1 inch of space between each piece. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 375°F for 18-22 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, carefully flip each thigh using tongs.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. Cook 2-3 more minutes if needed.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best results. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. For gluten-free, use gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast and olive oil instead of Parmesan and butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 33
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, fall dinner recipe, easy weeknight dinner, keto chicken recipe