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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe Easy Perfect Dinner

crispy garlic parmesan chicken thighs air fryer - featured image
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This recipe delivers crispy, garlicky, and cheesy crusted chicken thighs cooked quickly in an air fryer, perfect for fuss-free weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (about 30g)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (optional)
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture. (5 minutes)
  2. In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes and lemon zest. Stir well to blend evenly. (3 minutes)
  3. Mix in the minced fresh garlic and olive oil to the dry mix to bind the coating and promote crispiness. (2 minutes)
  4. Toss each chicken thigh in the garlic parmesan mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well to the skin. Use tongs for easy handling. (5 minutes)
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. (3 minutes)
  6. Place the thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary. (2 minutes)
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes until the skin is golden and the parmesan crust firms up. (12 minutes)
  8. Flip the thighs skin side up and cook for another 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and crust is crispy and golden. (8-10 minutes)
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and crust to set. (5 minutes)

Notes

Pat chicken dry for best crispiness. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for juiciness and texture. Flip chicken halfway through cooking. If coating burns, reduce temperature to 375°F and increase cooking time. Freshly grate Parmesan for best crust. Optional add-ons include red pepper flakes for heat and lemon zest for brightness. Can bake in oven at 425°F for 35-40 minutes if no air fryer is available. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Freeze wrapped for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/crispy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-thighs-air-fryer-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner/