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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Delicious, crispy chicken thighs made with simple ingredients and garlic butter, perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4-6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs About 1.5 to 2 pounds / 680 to 900 grams
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted About 43 grams
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 15 ml
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning Optional
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine paprika, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss the thighs in the seasoning mix until evenly coated.
Cooking
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Place the thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not crowded.
  3. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then flip the thighs skin-side up and continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and golden.
  4. While the chicken cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, stir in minced garlic and fresh lemon juice, and let it rest for a minute.
  5. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and immediately brush or drizzle the garlic butter over each thigh.
  6. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat the chicken thighs dry before seasoning to achieve crispy skin. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket and experiment with different seasonings to customize the flavor.