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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Perfectly Seasoned with Zesty Lemon Herb

crispy air fryer chicken thighs - featured image
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This recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken thighs with a bright and zesty lemon herb seasoning, cooked quickly and easily in an air fryer for a perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds or 700 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture (5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to form a paste (3 minutes).
  3. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated with the lemon herb seasoning. Use your hands for better coverage and wash afterward (5 minutes).
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap (2 minutes).
  6. Air fry for 12 minutes. Flip each thigh so the skin side is up and continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crackling (22-24 minutes).
  7. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at 165°F (74°C). Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness. Fresh lemon zest is preferred for best flavor; if unavailable, bottled lemon juice can be used but zest makes a big difference.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-perfectly-seasoned-with-zesty-lemon-herb/