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Best Easy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Recipe

air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs - featured image
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Crispy, golden air fryer chicken thighs with a garlic Parmesan crust, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner obligations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 pounds total)
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced fresh
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (optional but recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, pressing into the skin to absorb as much moisture as possible.
  2. Place chicken thighs in a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (if using). Toss with hands until evenly coated.
  3. In a small bowl, combine minced garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Let sit for a minute to bloom the garlic.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Arrange seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece.
  6. Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes without opening the basket.
  7. Using tongs, carefully flip each thigh. Spoon garlic-oil mixture over the skin side. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
  8. Return basket to air fryer and cook for another 8-12 minutes at 400°F, until internal temperature reaches 175-185°F and skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  9. Remove chicken from air fryer and transfer to a cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  10. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken—moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Fresh garlic matters; jarred minced garlic lacks the sweet, nutty quality. Air fryers vary, so check temperature at the 8-minute mark on the second side. Let air fryer recover between batches. Don’t overcrowd the basket. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. For boneless skinless thighs, reduce cooking time to 8 minutes per side.

Nutrition

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

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