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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter

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This recipe delivers perfectly crispy chicken thighs with a rich garlic butter glaze, cooked quickly and easily in an air fryer for juicy, flavorful results.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1.5 to 2 lbs / 700–900 g)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken thighs until evenly coated (about 3 minutes).
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  4. Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down, ensuring pieces do not touch. Cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs skin side up using tongs. Continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes until skin is golden and crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add minced garlic and gently sizzle for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
  7. Brush the garlic butter over the cooked chicken thighs. Let rest in the air fryer basket for 2-3 minutes to soak in flavors.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to avoid soggy skin. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally. Resting the chicken after cooking allows the garlic butter to soak in and juices to redistribute. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil. You can add chili flakes for spice or fresh herbs to the garlic butter for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, air fryer chicken, garlic butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, gluten-free, keto chicken

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-with-garlic-butter-easy-perfect-recipe/