Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: 5-Ingredient Garlic Parmesan
These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are coated in a savory garlic parmesan butter mixture, offering a restaurant-quality crunch without the oil splatter. Ready in under 30 minutes, this simple recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners and meal prep.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin-side down, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Cook for 10 minutes until the skin starts to render and turn golden.
- Flip the thighs and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While the chicken cooks, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic, grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt to form a thick paste.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the air fryer and brush or toss the thighs in the garlic-parmesan butter mixture while still hot.
- For extra crunch, optionally return the coated chicken to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Notes
Ensure chicken skin is patted dry for maximum crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Add garlic at the end to prevent burning. If using frozen chicken, add 5-10 minutes to cooking time but skin may not crisp as well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 chicken thighs p
- Calories: 375
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: air fryer chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, quick dinner, meal prep, low carb, gluten free