Crispy Garlic Butter Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
A quick and easy recipe for juicy, crispy chicken thighs coated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, cooked perfectly in an air fryer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crisp skin.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, olive oil, paprika, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme if using.
- Place chicken thighs in a large bowl or shallow dish and pour the garlic butter mixture over them. Rub evenly over and under the skin. Marinate for 5-10 minutes if possible.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Arrange chicken thighs in the air fryer basket skin side down in a single layer without touching.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs skin side up using tongs.
- Cook for another 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden and crispy.
- Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispiness. Flip halfway through cooking for even browning. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness. If garlic burns, add it after flipping or reduce temperature slightly. Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 23
Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, garlic butter chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, weeknight meal