Description
This recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken thighs with a rich garlic Parmesan butter crust, perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinners. The air fryer crisps the skin beautifully while the butter crust adds indulgent flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 pounds / 700–900 grams)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 35 grams)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Lemon zest (optional)
- Optional substitutions: almond flour for Parmesan (gluten-free), dairy-free butter and nutritional yeast for dairy-free option, crushed red pepper flakes for spice
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
- Season the chicken evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried Italian herbs. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and lemon zest if using. Mix well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up. Brush the garlic Parmesan butter mixture generously over the skin.
- Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes at 380°F (193°C), or until skin is golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before seasoning for best crispiness. Apply garlic Parmesan butter halfway through cooking to prevent garlic from burning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). To avoid air fryer smoking from butter drips, place a small piece of bread or liner at the bottom. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320350
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 28
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic Parmesan chicken, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, low carb, keto, gluten-free option