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Crispy Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs

crispy air fryer lemon herb chicken thighs - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe for juicy, flavorful chicken thighs with crispy skin, bright lemon, and fragrant herbs, cooked perfectly in an air fryer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir in cornstarch last.
  3. Toss the chicken thighs in the marinade until evenly coated. Let sit for at least 10 minutes if possible.
  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, avoiding overcrowding.
  6. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the thighs skin-side up using tongs.
  7. Cook for another 10-12 minutes until skin is golden and crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the chicken rest loosely covered with foil for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Cornstarch helps create a light, crispy crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Rest the chicken before serving to keep it juicy. For extra crispiness, spray a little oil halfway through cooking. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-lemon-herb-chicken-thighs-easy-recipe-for-juicy-flavor/