Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, flavorful chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer with garlic and simple spices. Perfect for a no-fuss, delicious weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds or 700 grams)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- Zest from half a lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and lemon zest if using. Stir until a fragrant paste forms.
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss well to coat every inch of skin and meat with the garlic mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Arrange the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip skin-side up and cook for another 10-12 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Let the chicken rest after cooking for juicy meat. If burnt garlic bits appear, clean the basket before flipping. For extra crispiness, lightly spray oil before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 15
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken