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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe

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This recipe delivers crispy, garlicky, and cheesy chicken thighs with a golden parmesan crust using an air fryer for a quick, easy, and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried Italian herbs (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub to coat each piece evenly.
  4. Toss the oiled chicken thighs in the parmesan-spice mix, pressing gently to adhere the coating well.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Place the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook in batches if needed.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (205°C) for 12 minutes, then flip skin-side up and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until skin is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best texture. Freshly grated parmesan is key for a crispy crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Flip halfway through cooking for even crisping. Rest chicken before serving to keep juices locked in. If crust is not crispy enough, air fry a few extra minutes but watch to avoid burning. For reheating, use air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

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