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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Zesty Lemon Pepper Flavor

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This recipe delivers golden brown, crispy skin chicken thighs with a bright, zesty lemon pepper flavor, perfect for quick and tasty meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700 grams)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal preferred)
  • Optional: pinch of dried thyme or oregano

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove all moisture.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and optional herbs; stir well.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub it in evenly.
  4. Toss the chicken thighs in the seasoning mixture until evenly coated.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  6. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken to skin-side up using tongs.
  8. Continue cooking for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Rest chicken before serving to keep it juicy. For extra crispiness, increase temperature by 10°F in the last 2-3 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken, lemon pepper chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, zesty chicken, healthy chicken

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