Air fryer lemon chicken thighs

Name: Air fryer lemon chicken thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs (skin on bone in); 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper (each); lemon zest and juice from a lemon; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon thyme, oregano; 1 teaspoon olive oil

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Air fryer lemon chicken thighs are bold, juicy and delicious! The bone-in and skin-on thighs marinate and quickly air fry so the chicken is moist and flavorful, with perfectly crispy skin. From start to finish these lemony pieces of chicken are ready to serve as a satisfying dinner in less than 1 hour!

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Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are one of our favorite proteins! The succulent pieces of meat are ideal for soaking in a citrusy marinade and are easy to cook. And they happen to be super budget-friendly! This air fryer lemon chicken thighs recipe packs plenty of "bang for your buck" with lots vibrant flavors, but requires only a handful of simple ingredients.

Best of all, the chicken thighs marinate for just 20 minutes so it's easy to put together last-minute in the evening. Then quickly air fry the chicken so the meat becomes fork-tender and juicy, with the most crisp and delicious skin.

In as little as 40 minutes you are ready to serve these thighs with your favorite side dishes for an amazing dinner any night of the week! Gochujang chicken thighs air fryer is another great recipe for this part of chicken.

Recipe ingredients

1 pound Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs are dark meat pieces of the upper leg. The meat is moist, tender, and flavorful. And the air fryer is great for cooking the chicken skin to crisp perfection.
Lemon: Choose deep yellow lemons that are ripe, and have a bit of give when gently squeezed. Bright, tangy, and sweet lemon is great to pair with rich and meaty chicken thighs. In this air fryer recipe we use both the juice and zest of the lemon to make the marinade for a big punch of citrus.
Garlic: Separate the cloves from the head of garlic, and peel off the tough outer skin. Mincing the fresh garlic helps release the fragrant oils and adds a deliciously earthy flavor.
Olive Oil: This is the base of our marinade. EVOO is made from pressed olives and has a fairly mild taste that doesn't overpower the garlic and spices. The richness combined with the acidic lemon infuses the thighs with flavor and keeps the meat juicy.
Thyme: Dried thyme is from the tiny leaves of the thyme plant and is a member of the mint family of herbs. The flavor is cozy and savory, with a pleasant grassy taste.
Oregano: Also a member of the mint family, oregano is made into a spice by drying and crushing leaves of the plant. It adds an almost woodsy flavor to the marinade.
Salt and Pepper: Together this classic combination of seasonings elevates all other flavors in the dish!

Frequently asked questions

How long should you marinate thighs?

Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes to get the marinade into the meat. Bone-in chicken can marinate for up to 12 hours or so. Too much longer and you run the risk of the thigh meat becoming over-tenderized and soft.

Should you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in the air fryer. I recommend lining the basket with parchment paper to make cleanup easier. Place the paper in the basket after it has preheated and you are ready to add the thighs.

Should I flip chicken in the air fryer?

The thighs will cook thoroughly if you don't, but I do suggest flipping the lemon chicken thighs once during cooking in the air fryer. This helps cook the meat more evenly and gets the crispiest skin.

How do you not overcook chicken in an air fryer?

Marinate the skin-on and bone-in thighs as directed in the recipe card below for the juiciest meat. Use an internal meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches between 165 and 170 degrees. Remove the thighs promptly once they hit this temp.

Do air fryers make food crispy?

Yes, they do! Air fryers circulate heat evenly around the thighs, which makes the chicken skin super crisp. And with no extra oil!

Leftovers

Store air fryer lemon chicken leftovers in the air tight glass or plastic container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer until heated through.

More chicken thighs recipes

Hope you will like this air fryer lemon chicken thighs recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.

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