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Best Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

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These crispy garlic Parmesan chicken thighs in the air fryer are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and loaded with garlic and Parmesan flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests, they come together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Extra Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Drizzle with olive oil and rub to coat evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down, in a single layer. Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 8-10 minutes, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. In a small bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs. Brush the top of each chicken thigh with garlic butter. Sprinkle the Parmesan mixture over the top, pressing gently to adhere. Return to the air fryer and cook at 400°F (204°C) for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
  6. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Pat chicken thighs very dry for crispiest skin. Add Parmesan at the very end to prevent burning. If chicken thighs are large, add 2-3 minutes cooking time. For best results, grate Parmesan from a block rather than using pre-shredded.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, easy weeknight dinner, air fryer recipe

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