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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Garlic Herb Seasoning Recipe

crispy air fryer chicken thighs - featured image

This recipe delivers perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat on chicken thighs using a simple garlic herb seasoning and air fryer cooking method. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 45 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Optional: lemon zest
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon almond flour (for gluten-free crunch)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the thighs, rubbing it all over including under the skin if possible.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 12 minutes.
  7. Flip the thighs skin-side up carefully with tongs and cook for another 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden and crispy.
  8. Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  9. Serve immediately while skin is still crispy.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Flip the chicken only once halfway through cooking. Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. If skin isn’t crispy enough, increase temperature to 400°F for last 2-3 minutes but watch closely to avoid burning. For leftovers, reheat in air fryer or oven to maintain crispness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic herb chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken, quick dinner