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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

crispy garlic parmesan air fryer chicken thighs - featured image

A quick and easy 5-ingredient recipe for juicy chicken thighs with a crispy, garlicky Parmesan crust, ready in about 25 minutes using an air fryer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper. Stir well.
  3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub it all over, including under the skin if possible.
  4. Dredge each thigh in the Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating evenly on all sides.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Place the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Cook for 10 minutes.
  7. Flip the thighs skin-side up and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to avoid steaming. Flip halfway through cooking for even crisping. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, air fry 2-3 minutes longer but watch carefully to avoid burning Parmesan. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy skin.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, 5-ingredient chicken, quick dinner, gluten-free chicken