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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Garlic Lemon Flavor

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This recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken thighs with a bright garlic and lemon flavor, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1.5 to 2 pounds / 700-900g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice separated
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crisp skin. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine. (3 minutes)
  3. Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until evenly coated, making sure marinade gets under the skin where possible. Marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the fridge. (15-120 minutes)
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. (3 minutes)
  5. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. (2 minutes)
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes. Flip chicken skin-side up and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden and crispy. (20-22 minutes)
  7. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices. (5 minutes)
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra lemon zest if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Preheat the air fryer for best results. Flip chicken halfway through cooking for even crispiness. If skin isn’t crispy enough, air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes watching closely to avoid burning. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). For leftovers, reheat in air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic lemon chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-garlic-lemon-flavor/