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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Parmesan

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Crispy, garlicky, parmesan-crusted chicken thighs ready in 20 minutes in the air fryer. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers golden, crunchy skin without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika works great too)
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (from a block)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This is the most important step—wet skin won’t crisp up.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken thighs, then rub the seasoning blend all over—under the skin too if you can. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes while you preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  3. While the chicken rests, combine the grated parmesan, minced garlic, melted butter, and chopped parsley in a medium bowl. Stir until it forms a thick paste.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Don’t overcrowd—leave space between each thigh so the air can circulate.
  6. Cook for 10 minutes at 380°F.
  7. Flip the chicken using tongs. Now it’s skin-side up. Spread the garlic parmesan mixture evenly over the top of each thigh.
  8. Cook for another 8-10 minutes at 380°F. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when measured at the thickest part without touching bone.
  9. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the skin—wet skin steams instead of crisps. Season under the skin too for flavor in every bite. Add the parmesan mixture halfway through cooking to prevent burning. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy. For larger thighs (over 6 ounces each), add 2-3 minutes to cooking time. For smaller thighs, check at 16 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, low-carb chicken, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-with-garlic-parmesan-easy-20-min-recipe/