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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Lemon Garlic Herb Butter Recipe

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Crispy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer and finished with a bright, fragrant lemon garlic herb butter for a quick, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 60g), softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, drizzle olive oil over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat all sides evenly. (3 minutes)
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. (5 minutes)
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without touching. Cook for 12 minutes.
  5. Flip the thighs skin-side up and cook for another 10-12 minutes until skin is deeply golden and crisp. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). (22-24 minutes)
  6. While chicken cooks, soften butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, thyme, and parsley. Mix well. (5 minutes)
  7. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices. (5 minutes)
  8. Spoon the lemon garlic herb butter generously over the warm chicken thighs. (2 minutes)
  9. Optional: If skin isn’t crispy enough, air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before seasoning for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd air fryer basket to allow air circulation. Butter should be softened, not melted, when mixing with herbs and garlic. Rest chicken after cooking to keep it juicy. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to restore crispiness. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based spread.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, lemon garlic herb butter, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, comfort food, gluten-free

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-lemon-garlic-herb-butter-recipe/