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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Zesty Lemon Garlic Recipe

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This recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken thighs with a zesty lemon and garlic flavor, cooked quickly and easily in an air fryer. Perfect for a fuss-free, flavorful weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crisp skin.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using.
  3. Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and toss well to coat all sides. Let them sit for at least 10 minutes at room temperature or up to 30 minutes in the fridge for better flavor.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes until the skin starts to brown and crisp.
  7. Flip the chicken thighs skin side up using tongs and continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
  8. Let the chicken rest on a plate for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before seasoning is crucial for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow even crisping. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Let the chicken rest before serving to keep it juicy. For a fresh citrus aroma, add lemon slices to the air fryer basket during the last few minutes. Boneless thighs can be used but reduce cooking time by 3-5 minutes and monitor closely. If you don’t have an air fryer, use a convection oven at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes on a wire rack, but skin may be less crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, zesty chicken, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken

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