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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rub

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs with garlic herb rub are designed to make you look like a hero at your next gathering. The skin gets that perfect crackling crunch while the meat stays impossibly juicy, and the garlic herb rub blooms beautifully in the air fryer heat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5–3 pounds total)
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Remove all moisture from the skin. Let sit on a plate while preparing the rub.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and lemon zest (if using). Stir until it forms a thick paste.
  3. Place dried chicken thighs in a large bowl. Add the garlic herb mixture and rub all over the chicken, including under the skin by gently lifting the skin and applying the paste directly onto the meat.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Arrange seasoned thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece. Do not overcrowd.
  6. Cook for 12 minutes at 380°F. Do not open the basket during this time.
  7. After 12 minutes, flip each thigh over using tongs. Cook for another 10-12 minutes at 380°F, or until internal temperature reaches 175-185°F (80-85°C) at the thickest part away from the bone.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes on a wire rack or plate to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley and flaky sea salt before serving.

Notes

Pat the skin completely dry for maximum crispiness. Fresh garlic is essential; do not use jarred garlic. If your air fryer is smaller, cook in batches to avoid steaming. For boneless, skin-on thighs, reduce cooking time to 15-18 minutes total. The garlic herb rub can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Chicken can be seasoned up to 8 hours ahead for deeper flavor.

Nutrition

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

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