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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Garlic Butter Perfection

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This recipe delivers crispy skin and juicy meat with a luscious garlic butter finish, perfect for quick and satisfying weeknight dinners using an air fryer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700 grams)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Smoked paprika (optional), to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (60 grams), softened
  • 3 large fresh garlic cloves, minced finely
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss with olive oil to coat evenly. (5 minutes)
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run empty for about 3 minutes.
  3. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip and cook another 10-12 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). (22-24 minutes total)
  4. While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in fresh lemon juice and remove from heat.
  5. Transfer cooked chicken thighs to a plate and brush liberally with the garlic butter sauce.
  6. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for color and freshness. Serve immediately while skin is still crisp and the garlic butter sauce is warm. (2 minutes)

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping. Flip chicken halfway through cooking. Rest chicken 3-5 minutes after cooking to keep it juicy. If skin is not crispy enough, air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes at 400°F, watching closely to avoid burning. Garlic butter sauce can be made ahead and reheated before serving. For dairy-free option, substitute butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine and use garlic-infused olive oil.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-garlic-butter-perfection/