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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter – Easy, 20-Minute Recipe

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs with garlic butter are the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen genius without actually working hard. The skin gets shatteringly crisp while the meat stays juicy and tender, and the garlic butter pools in the crevices for a savory, golden crust.

Ingredients

  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4-6 thighs, about 2 pounds total)
  • Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons, melted)
  • Fresh garlic (4-5 cloves, minced)
  • Salt (1 teaspoon, plus more for seasoning)
  • Black pepper (½ teaspoon, freshly ground)
  • Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Paprika (1 teaspoon)
  • Dried thyme (½ teaspoon)
  • Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels until no moisture remains. Place on a plate, uncovered, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes if possible.
  2. Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme. Drizzle chicken with olive oil and rub all over. Sprinkle seasoning evenly over both sides of each thigh. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes while the air fryer preheats.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin side down, in a single layer without overcrowding.
  5. Cook at 380°F for 12 minutes until skin is golden brown and starting to crisp.
  6. Flip the chicken using tongs so skin side is up. Cook for another 8-10 minutes at 380°F until internal temperature reaches 175-185°F (80-85°C).
  7. While chicken finishes, melt butter in a small bowl (20-30 seconds in microwave). Stir in minced garlic and let sit to infuse.
  8. As soon as chicken comes out, brush garlic butter generously over the crispy skin. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Dry the skin obsessively for maximum crispiness. Don’t skip the flip halfway through. Use an instant-read thermometer for perfect doneness. Batch cook if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Let garlic butter sit before brushing to infuse flavor. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-with-garlic-butter-easy-20-minute-recipe/