Print

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe

crispy garlic parmesan chicken thighs air fryer recipe - featured image

A quick and easy air fryer recipe for crispy, garlicky, and cheesy chicken thighs with a golden crust and juicy interior, perfect for a 30-minute dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 35 g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine grated Parmesan, garlic powder, minced fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to distribute evenly. (3 minutes)
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs, then toss them in the seasoning mix until each piece is well coated. Press the mixture onto the skin to help it stick. (5 minutes)
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC) for 3 minutes. (3 minutes)
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces for air circulation. (2 minutes)
  6. Air fry at 400ยฐF (200ยฐC) for 12 minutes. Flip the thighs skin-side up using tongs, then cook for another 8-10 minutes until the skin is golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF (74ยฐC). (20 minutes)
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. (5 minutes)

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Press seasoning firmly onto skin to create a crust that sticks. Flip chicken halfway through cooking to crisp both sides evenly. If parmesan browns too fast, reduce temperature by 10-15ยฐF and cook longer. Rest chicken before serving to keep it juicy. For gluten-free, use dairy-free cheese alternative. For dairy-free, replace parmesan with nutritional yeast and use garlic-infused oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, air fryer chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, keto chicken, gluten-free chicken