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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe Easy Perfect Dinner

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This recipe delivers crispy garlic parmesan chicken thighs with a crunchy cheesy crust and juicy meat, all made quickly and easily in the air fryer. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on recommended, about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced finely
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (about 50 g)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the 4 chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a large bowl, combine ½ cup finely grated parmesan, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 cloves minced fresh garlic. Stir well until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly but not soggy (about 5 minutes).
  3. Rub the chicken thighs all over with the parmesan mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks well to the skin and edges (about 5 minutes).
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it warm up for 3 minutes.
  5. Place the coated chicken thighs skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes. Then, carefully flip the chicken thighs skin side up using tongs. Continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Use a light coating of oil in the breadcrumb mixture to help browning. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent soggy spots. Flip chicken carefully halfway through cooking to keep the crust intact. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, add 2-3 minutes more cooking time but watch closely to avoid burning. Can substitute panko with gluten-free crackers or almond meal for gluten-free version. Parmesan can be replaced with nutritional yeast for dairy-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, air fryer chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, parmesan crusted chicken, weeknight dinner

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