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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Lemon Herb Rub

air fryer chicken thighs with lemon herb rub - featured image
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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs with lemon herb rub are fast, flavorful, and perfect for weeknights or entertaining. The bright lemon and fragrant herbs create a shatteringly crisp skin with juicy, tender meat every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
  • 2 medium lemons (zest and juice)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ¾ teaspoon table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • Fresh parsley or thyme sprigs for garnish (optional)
  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Remove all moisture from the skin.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir into a paste.
  3. Rub the mixture all over the chicken thighs, including under the skin and on the underside.
  4. Let the seasoned chicken rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes (optional but recommended).
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
  7. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
  8. Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up using tongs. Cook for another 10-12 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C), ideally 175°F (80°C).
  9. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
  10. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Dry the chicken skin obsessively for maximum crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. For best results, let the seasoned chicken rest 10-15 minutes before cooking. If using boneless, skinless thighs, reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, lemon herb chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, dairy-free

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-with-lemon-herb-rub/