Print

Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Easy Zesty Lemon Recipe

crispy air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

Crispy air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs with a zesty lemon finish, delivering a crunchy, cheesy crust and bright lemon twist in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub the thighs all over with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine grated Parmesan, garlic powder, minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried Italian herbs, and panko breadcrumbs. Mix well.
  3. Press each chicken thigh firmly into the coating mixture, covering all sides, especially the skin.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  5. Place the coated chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Cook for 10-12 minutes, then flip and cook for another 10-13 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. While the chicken rests for 5 minutes after cooking, mix lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley in a small bowl.
  7. Spoon the lemon parsley mixture over the chicken just before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. For extra garlic flavor, brush minced garlic mixed with olive oil over chicken before air frying but watch closely to avoid burning. Preheat air fryer for best results. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. To keep coating gluten-free, swap panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/crispy-air-fryer-garlic-parmesan-chicken-thighs-easy-zesty-lemon-recipe/