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Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs

air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs - featured image
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These crispy air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs are quick, easy, and unbelievably crunchy. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Olive oil spray (for misting)
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken (5 minutes): Take chicken thighs out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before cooking to take the chill off. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Make the Coating (3 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Whisk until evenly distributed.
  3. Coat the Chicken (5 minutes): Working with one thigh at a time, press the chicken firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides. Let the coated thighs rest on a plate for 5 minutes before cooking.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer (3 minutes): Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  5. Arrange the Chicken (2 minutes): Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the coated chicken thighs skin-side up in a single layer, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between each piece. Cook in batches if needed.
  6. Spray with Oil (1 minute): Lightly spray the tops of the chicken thighs with olive oil spray.
  7. Air Fry (18-20 minutes): Cook at 375°F for 10 minutes, then flip each thigh carefully with tongs. Spray the other side lightly with oil. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175-180°F and the coating is deep golden brown and crispy.
  8. Rest (5 minutes): Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate or cooling rack for 5 minutes.
  9. Garnish and Serve (2 minutes): Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

For extra crispy coating, let the coated chicken rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking. If chicken thighs are large (over 8 ounces each), add 2-3 minutes to cooking time. Always use a meat thermometer for best results.

Nutrition

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

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