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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter

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This easy recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken thighs with a rich garlic butter finish, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or unexpected guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss the chicken thighs in this seasoning mix, coating thoroughly, including under the skin if possible (5 minutes).
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook skin side up for another 10-12 minutes until skin is golden brown and crisp (about 22 minutes total).
  5. While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in minced garlic, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Let it infuse for a minute.
  6. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and brush generously with the garlic butter.
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Flip chicken halfway through cooking for even browning. Brush garlic butter after cooking to avoid burning. Rest chicken before serving. For extra crispiness, air fry skin side up for 2-3 more minutes after cooking. Can substitute butter with dairy-free alternatives for lactose intolerance. Boneless thighs cook faster; reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, low-carb chicken

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-with-garlic-butter-easy-step-by-step-recipe/