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Crispy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs

air fryer lemon chicken thighs - featured image
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Crispy, juicy air fryer chicken thighs with a bright lemon finish. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients, this easy recipe delivers crackling skin and tender meat every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
  2. In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Drizzle olive oil over chicken and rub in evenly. Sprinkle seasoning mixture all over, including under the skin and on the underside.
  3. Zest the lemon (about 1 teaspoon) and juice it. Set zest and juice aside.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Cook for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
  7. Flip chicken thighs skin-side up using tongs. Cook for another 10-12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F (79°C) at the thickest part.
  8. While chicken cooks, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, and about 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a small bowl.
  9. As soon as chicken is done, brush the lemon garlic butter mixture over the crispy skin. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Squeeze extra lemon juice over top if desired.

Notes

Dry the chicken skin thoroughly for maximum crispiness. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even results. Add lemon juice after cooking to prevent bitterness and steaming. Rest chicken for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, lemon chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, keto-friendly

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/crispy-air-fryer-lemon-chicken-thighs-easy-recipe/