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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Garlic Parmesan Panko Crust

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This recipe delivers crispy, garlicky, and cheesy chicken thighs with a golden panko crust, cooked quickly in the air fryer for juicy, flavorful results perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (about 100 grams)
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 grams)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (or dried parsley)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Optional: fresh lemon juice for squeezing after cooking

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the crust stick. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumb mixture and stir to coat evenly.
  4. Press each chicken thigh firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both the skin and edges evenly.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  6. Place the coated thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 10 minutes.
  7. Flip the thighs and cook for another 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the chicken rest for 2 minutes. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to avoid soggy crust. Press panko mixture firmly onto chicken for best adhesion. Flip halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Avoid overcrowding air fryer basket. If crust isn’t golden enough, air fry 2-3 minutes more watching closely. Can bake in oven at 425°F for 25-30 minutes on wire rack as alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, panko crust chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-garlic-parmesan-panko-crust/