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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer)

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These air fryer chicken thighs are incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, thanks to a secret ingredient—mayonnaise. This streamlined recipe delivers shatteringly crispy skin with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1/2 cup (30g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon table salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
  • Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat or skin. Place in a medium bowl and season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let sit while preparing the coating.
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Whisk until evenly distributed.
  3. Add mayonnaise to the bowl with the chicken thighs. Use your hands to coat each thigh evenly with a thin layer of mayo.
  4. Working one thigh at a time, press the chicken into the Parmesan mixture, flipping and pressing to coat all sides. Place coated thighs on a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer with at least 1/2 inch of space between each piece. Work in batches if needed.
  7. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes without opening the basket.
  8. Carefully flip each thigh using tongs. Spray tops lightly with olive oil. Cook for another 6-8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is deep golden brown and crispy.
  9. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken or letting the coating rest for 5 minutes—both are crucial for crispy results. Air fryers vary, so start checking at the 14-minute mark. For batch cooking, keep cooked chicken warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes (not microwave).

Nutrition

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

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