Description
Achieve shatteringly crispy skin and juicy meat with this easy air fryer chicken thigh recipe. Marinated in fresh lemon and herbs, it’s a healthier, faster alternative to takeout that takes under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat
- Optional: Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which is crucial for crispiness.
- In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Add chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (or refrigerate for up to 4 hours).
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Lightly dust each thigh with cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 8 minutes).
- Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Do not skip patting the chicken dry; moisture prevents crisping. Ensure chicken is in a single layer without overcrowding to allow proper air circulation. If your air fryer is small, cook in batches. For extra tenderness, some prefer cooking thighs to 175°F.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh per
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: air fryer chicken, crispy chicken thighs, lemon herb chicken, healthy dinner, quick weeknight meals, gluten-free chicken, dairy-free recipes