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Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs (Best Easy Recipe)

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Juicy chicken thighs with a shatteringly crisp Parmesan-panko crust, made in the air fryer in under 30 minutes. A quick buttermilk soak tenderizes the meat, and the garlic-Parmesan coating is pure comfort food magic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (shelf-stable kind)
  • Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if desired.
  2. Place chicken in a medium bowl, pour buttermilk over, and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes (or refrigerate up to 2 hours).
  3. In a shallow dish, combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Working one piece at a time, let excess buttermilk drip off, then press chicken firmly into the coating mixture, covering all sides. Place on a plate.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Cook in batches if needed.
  7. Spray tops of chicken generously with olive oil spray. Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.
  8. Flip each piece using tongs, spray the other side with oil, and cook for another 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is deep golden brown.
  9. Let chicken rest in the basket for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the buttermilk soak—it tenderizes and helps coating stick. Spray both sides of chicken with oil for even browning. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep crust intact. For gluten-free, use GF panko and check Parmesan label. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy weeknight dinner, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/crispy-air-fryer-garlic-parmesan-chicken-thighs-best-easy-recipe/