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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Garlic Herb Rub Recipe

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This recipe delivers golden, crispy skin with juicy, tender chicken thighs seasoned with a fresh garlic herb rub, perfect for quick and flavorful weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1 to 1.5 pounds / 450 to 680 grams)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (e.g., Diamond Crystal)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Lemon zest from ½ lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture (about 3 minutes).
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped fresh thyme, paprika, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon zest if using. Stir well until it forms a paste (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and rub the mixture all over the skin and under the skin where possible, ensuring every inch is covered (about 5 minutes). Let the chicken sit in the rub for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the fridge (30 minutes recommended).
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run empty for 5 minutes.
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding crowding (about 1 minute).
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the thighs skin-side up carefully using tongs and cook another 10-12 minutes. Check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer (should read 165°F / 74°C). If not done, cook an additional 2-3 minutes (total cook time about 20-25 minutes).
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Let the rub rest on the chicken before cooking to lock in flavors. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking. Flip chicken halfway through cooking for best results. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, garlic herb rub, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, gluten-free, paleo-friendly

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-easy-garlic-herb-rub-recipe/