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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Easy Recipe with Savory Herb Butter

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This recipe delivers crispy skin and juicy chicken thighs finished with a savory herb butter made from fresh thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt (for herb butter)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture (5 minutes).
  2. Rub olive oil evenly over the thighs. Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika on both sides. Press seasoning gently into the skin (5 minutes).
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  4. Place the thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
  5. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes until skin is golden and crackling.
  6. Flip the thighs skin-side up using tongs and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Add 1-2 minutes if skin isn’t crispy enough (total cook time approx. 20-22 minutes).
  7. While chicken cooks, mix softened butter, thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until combined (5 minutes).
  8. Brush the hot chicken thighs generously with the savory herb butter immediately after cooking.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to seal in juices and allow herb butter to soak in before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Brush herb butter after cooking to keep skin crispy. For extra crispiness, give the thighs a 2-minute blast at 425°F (220°C) before brushing with butter. Use fresh herbs for best flavor; dried can be substituted. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and skip or replace lemon juice with apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, herb butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, savory chicken, healthy chicken recipe

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