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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter

crispy air fryer chicken thighs - featured image
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Get perfectly crispy, crackling chicken skin with juicy meat underneath in just 30 minutes. This easy air fryer recipe uses a clever trick—brushing garlic herb butter on after cooking—for maximum flavor without losing crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, pressing firmly to remove as much moisture as possible. Let sit uncovered for 10 minutes if time allows.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Drizzle chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then rub the seasoning mixture all over, including under the skin.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overcrowding. Cook in batches if needed.
  5. Cook for 12 minutes skin-side down. Do not open the basket frequently.
  6. Flip thighs using tongs and cook for another 10-12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C) and skin is deep golden brown.
  7. While chicken cooks, make garlic herb butter: In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon dried parsley. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
  8. Let cooked thighs rest for 5 minutes, then brush garlic herb butter generously over the hot skin. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, pat chicken dry and let sit uncovered in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before seasoning. Do not brush butter on before cooking—it will burn. Add butter after cooking for best flavor and texture. If skin isn’t crispy enough, increase temperature to 425°F for the last 2-3 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, garlic herb butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, keto chicken, gluten-free chicken

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