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Crispy Lemon Herb Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

crispy lemon herb air fryer chicken thighs - featured image

This easy 5-step recipe delivers juicy, golden chicken thighs with a crispy skin and bright lemon herb flavor, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700 g)
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional substitutions: almond flour (for gluten-free crust), coconut oil (instead of olive oil), fresh rosemary or basil (instead of thyme and oregano)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well until blended.
  3. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss gently with tongs or hands to coat evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature to absorb flavors.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip skin-side up and cook for another 8-10 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

Drying the chicken thoroughly before seasoning is crucial for crisp skin. Let the chicken sit with seasoning for at least 10 minutes before cooking. Use tongs gently to flip to avoid tearing skin. Cook in batches if air fryer basket is overcrowded. Rest chicken for 5 minutes after cooking to keep it juicy. Leftovers reheat well in air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to maintain skin texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, lemon herb chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb