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Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Parmesan

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs with garlic parmesan come together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. The garlic parmesan crust gets shatteringly crisp in the air fryer while the chicken stays juicy, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4–6 thighs)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray (or any cooking spray)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • For the dipping sauce (optional):
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
  2. Trim any excess fat from the thighs using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
  3. In one bowl, whisk two large eggs with a tablespoon of water until frothy.
  4. In another bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix with a fork until evenly distributed.
  5. Dip each dried chicken thigh into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides fully. Place coated thighs on a plate.
  6. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
  7. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Arrange the coated thighs in a single layer without overlapping.
  8. Spray the tops of the thighs generously with olive oil.
  9. Cook at 380°F for 12 minutes. At the 6-minute mark, flip each thigh using tongs and spray the other side with oil.
  10. Check for doneness: internal temperature should reach 165°F at the thickest part. If needed, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  11. Let the chicken rest on a wire rack or plate for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken thighs—moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use a light hand with the egg wash to avoid soggy coating. Press the coating firmly into the chicken. Flip halfway through cooking for even browning. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Nutrition

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

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