These Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs are seriously SO GOOD! The skin gets beautifully golden and crispy, the meat stays incredibly juicy, and that buttery garlic Parmesan coating takes every bite to another level. This is one of those chicken recipes that tastes like you spent hours making it, but the air fryer does almost all the work!
The secret is cooking the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs until the skin is crispy, then brushing them with a rich garlic Parmesan butter and popping them back into the air fryer for just a couple of minutes. That final blast of heat gives the chicken a gorgeous golden finish with plenty of buttery, garlicky flavor.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Incredibly Juicy: Bone-in chicken thighs stay tender and flavorful while cooking.
- Crispy Golden Skin: The air fryer creates beautifully crispy skin, without deep frying.
- Garlic Parmesan Butter: Freshly grated garlic, melted butter and Parmesan add rich flavor.
- Easy Preparation: A few simple seasonings and minimal prep work are all you need to make these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs.
- Quick Dinner: Ready in approximately 30 minutes, plus a short resting time.
- Family Favorite: An easy chicken dinner that pairs with almost any side dish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skin-on chicken thighs are a great alternative. Reduce the cooking time and check the internal temperature. Boneless, skinless thighs will also work, although they won’t develop the same crispy exterior.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil can be substituted.
- Seasonings: Easily substitute with your favorite seasoning blend.
- Garlic: Freshly grated garlic is recommended because it blends beautifully into the butter. Finely minced garlic can also be used.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts and coats the chicken better than pre-shredded cheese. Pecorino Romano can be substituted for a sharper flavor.
- Butter: Salted butter works, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt used to season the chicken.
- Fresh Parsley: Substitute fresh thyme or a little chopped rosemary.
- Lemon Juice: A small amount brightens the butter sauce. Fresh lemon zest can also be added.
- Heat: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a little kick.
How to Prepare Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasonings.
- Brush the chicken with olive oil and season both sides.
- Arrange skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 380°F for 22 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave. Add the grated garlic. Stir in the Parmeasan and fresh parsley. Add lemon juice, if desired.
- Check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F, without touching the bone with the thermometer. Continue cooking, if needed.
- Brush the cooked chicken with the garlic Parmesan butter.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook for approximately 2 additional minutes, until the coating is lightly golden.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs with creamy Parmesan orzo, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or a simple salad.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for approximately 5–8 minutes. Avoid microwaving.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken thighs must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. For especially tender dark meat, cooking them to approximately 175–185°F can help soften the connective tissue. Always insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the thigh without touching the bone.
Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs work well in the air fryer. They generally require less cooking time than bone-in thighs.
Start checking boneless thighs after approximately 12–15 minutes at 380°F, depending on their thickness. Once cooked through, brush with the garlic Parmesan butter and return to the air fryer briefly to finish
Yes. Simply prepare the garlic butter with grated garlic, lemon juice and parsley. The chicken will still have plenty of flavor and a delicious buttery finish.
Yes. Season the chicken thighs up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate them in a covered container. For even crispier skin, refrigerate them uncovered on a rack set over a tray, away from other foods.
Prepare the garlic Parmesan butter shortly before finishing the chicken.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to Love
These Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs are an easy way to make juicy chicken with perfectly crispy skin. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are seasoned and air fried until golden, then brushed with a buttery mixture of freshly grated garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and parsley. A quick finish at 400°F creates a flavorful garlic Parmesan coating that makes this chicken dinner especially delicious. Serve with your favorite potatoes, pasta, rice or vegetables for a simple meal the whole family will enjoy.
Print
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
Description
These Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs are juicy with a crispy skin, and buttery garlic Parmesan flavor. Ready in 30 mintues.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, freshly grated
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasonings.
- Brush the chicken with olive oil and season both sides.
- Arrange skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 380°F for 22 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave. Add the grated garlic. Stir in the Parmeasan and fresh parsley. Add lemon juice, if desired.
- Check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F, without touching the bone with the thermometer. Continue cooking, if needed.
- Brush the cooked chicken with the garlic Parmesan butter.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook for approximately 2 additional minutes, until the coating is lightly golden.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the crispiest exterior and juicy meat.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs and the air fryer model.
- Always verify that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
- Dark meat can become especially tender when cooked to 175–185°F.
- Add the garlic Parmesan butter toward the end to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
GET TO KNOW ME!
Hi! I’m Melissa Latin, the creator behind Charlotte Fashion Plate. I’m a food and fashion content creator who has spent years developing, testing, and sharing approachable, flavorful recipes for home cooks. Before turning my passion for food and content creation into a career, I spent 16 years as an accounting professor.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll usually find me sharing fashion finds, spending time with my husband, or hanging out with our two Goldendoodles, 7 and Hazel.
I’m also the author of Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner, available in e-book and paperback.
Let’s Get Social!
Follow Charlotte Fashion Plate for more recipes, cooking inspiration, fashion finds, and a little everyday life.
Affiliate Links
Shop some of my favorite kitchen, fashion, home, and everyday finds:
No comment yet, add your voice below!