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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Easy One-Pan Air Fryer Recipe

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This recipe delivers crispy, garlicky, cheesy crusted chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer for a quick, easy, and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Zest of 1 small lemon

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix minced garlic, grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until well combined.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub it all over the skin and under the edges.
  4. Press the garlic-parmesan coating firmly onto the skin side of each chicken thigh.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and run empty for 3 minutes.
  6. Place the coated chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
  7. Air fry skin-side down for 12 minutes at 380°F (193°C) to set and crisp the coating.
  8. Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up using tongs and cook for another 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy skin. Press coating firmly onto chicken to prevent falling off. Cook skin-side down first to set crust. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, spritz olive oil before last 5 minutes of cooking. Avoid overcrowding air fryer basket for best results. If no air fryer, bake on wire rack at 425°F (220°C) for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, air fryer chicken, easy chicken recipe, one-pan chicken, quick dinner, parmesan crusted chicken

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/crispy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-thighs-easy-one-pan-air-fryer-recipe/