Crispy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
A quick and easy family dinner recipe featuring crispy, garlicky, and cheesy chicken thighs cooked to perfection in an air fryer. Perfect for weeknights and budget-friendly meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (preferably Japanese-style)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
- Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up (about 5 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, Italian herbs, paprika, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir to blend evenly.
- Drizzle in olive oil and mix until the crumbs are lightly moistened and clumpy to help the coating stick better.
- Rub each chicken thigh with about 1 teaspoon olive oil, then press firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture to cover the skin side completely. Set aside any leftover crumbs for topping later.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and let it run empty for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 12 minutes, then flip the thighs and sprinkle the reserved breadcrumb mixture on the skin side.
- Cook an additional 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the coating is golden and crispy.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness. Watch the Parmesan crust carefully to avoid burning. For extra crunch, toast panko lightly before mixing. If no air fryer is available, oven bake at 425°F (220°C) on a wire rack for 25-30 minutes as an alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 20
- Protein: 25
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, easy family dinner, quick chicken recipe, budget-friendly dinner