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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Lemon Garlic Parmesan Herb Crust

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This recipe delivers juicy chicken thighs with a crunchy lemon garlic parmesan herb crust, cooked quickly and easily in an air fryer for a flavorful, crispy skin and tender meat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and thyme, finely chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried mixed Italian herbs)
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley and thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well.
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil evenly over skin and underside. Lightly season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Press the herb-parmesan mixture firmly onto the skin side of each chicken thigh, creating an even layer.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place chicken thighs skin side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 18-22 minutes, flipping gently halfway through. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices and keep crust crisp.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Press crust firmly to adhere well. Flip gently to avoid crust falling off. If crust browns too fast, reduce temperature to 375°F and add cooking time. For gluten-free, substitute panko with almond flour or gluten-free crackers. For dairy-free, omit parmesan and use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, lemon garlic chicken, parmesan crust, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, herb crust chicken

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