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Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs

crispy air fryer garlic parmesan chicken thighs - featured image

Quick and easy air fryer chicken thighs coated in a crispy garlic Parmesan crust, ready in under 25 minutes. Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this recipe is a fuss-free dinner favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup (35g) grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano preferred)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary blend)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, minced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to help the coating stick and crisp up.
  2. In a large bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub to coat evenly.
  4. Dredge each chicken thigh in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Place the coated chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 8-9 minutes.
  7. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 7-9 minutes until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Remove the chicken and let rest for a few minutes.
  9. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispiness. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best results. Flip chicken only once to keep crust intact. If coating doesn’t stick well, brush chicken with mustard or mayonnaise before dredging. For dairy-free, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast and use dairy-free breadcrumbs. If no air fryer, bake at 425°F (220°C) on a wire rack for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

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