Description
Juicy, crispy boneless chicken thighs marinated in lemon, herbs, and Dijon mustard, cooked in an air fryer for a quick, healthy, and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme and parsley), chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Add chicken to the bowl and toss to coat thoroughly. Massage marinade into meat and let sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge).
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Arrange chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 8 minutes).
- Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and edges are golden brown.
- Remove from air fryer and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper air circulation. For extra crispiness, lightly spray chicken with cooking oil before cooking. Chicken can be marinated overnight for deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh per
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: air fryer chicken, crispy chicken thighs, lemon herb chicken, healthy dinner, quick weeknight meals, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly