Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Crispy and delicious this easy parmesan crusted Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe is a great way to toss dinner together in no time. A simple breadcrumb and parmesan coating adds crunch and flavor to your favorite chicken! Prepped in less than 10 minutes and cooks up in about 20. Serve with your favorite simple sides and enjoy!

A PERFECT weeknight dinner that cooks up so easily, these parmesan crusted air fryer chicken thighs are the best meal!

The air fryer cooks chicken quickly but with all the juiciness and crispy breading. Easily served with some roasted green beans and maybe some honey biscuits? Dinner is a win!

Why you will love this air fryer chicken thighs recipe:

• It is so simple to prep
• Comes out crispy and so juicy!
• Pairs so well with lots of sides.
• A quick way to get crispy, delicious chicken.

What you will need:

• chicken thighs: I use skinless, bone-in chicken thighs for these air fryer chicken thighs. You could leave the skin on, but I don't prefer to eat it. If you have boneless chicken thighs, they may cook up faster so just keep an eye on them.
• parmesan: grated is my preference in this recipe. You can use shredded but the grated holds better with the breadcrumbs onto the chicken.
• breadcrumbs: you can use breadcrumbs or panko. If you need gluten free, it will easily sub for regular. If you opt for Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, just omit the Italian seasoning for the recipe.
• olive oil: extra virgin is preferred. You can opt for another favorite cooking oil if you don't have it on hand.
• Italian seasoning: if you don't have any, opt for a mixture of dried oregano, basil, thyme, parsley and rosemary.
• garlic: freshly minced garlic cloves are preferred, but you can sub for about 1 teaspoon garlic powder

How to make the best air fryer parmesan chicken thighs:

Pat the chicken thighs dry and then toss with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and evenly coat. If you need to preheat your air fryer, do so at this time.

In a bowl, toss the breadcrumbs, parmesan, and Italian seasoning together. Toss each chicken thigh in the mixture and coat completely on all sides.

Place each thigh presentation side (or skin side) down on an oil sprayed air fryer basket. Continue with remaining chicken thighs.

Cook at 400°F for about 12 minutes. Flip the air fryer chicken thighs and then cook for another 6-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken thighs reaches 165°F.

Remove from air fryer and rest for 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides!

Recipe Tips and Notes:

• Try to make sure all of the chicken thighs are approximately the same size. If the chicken thighs' sizes vary greatly, they will cook unevenly. If one is much larger, it will need more time to cook. You can remove the others when ready and continue to cook longer.
• All air fryers cook a bit differently. I have two air fryers and they definitely do not cook the same. Know your air fryer and keep an eye on your chicken for best results.
• Storage and reheating: Store these air fryer chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for about 3-5 minutes.

What temperature is the best temperature to air fry chicken thighs?

I found that 400°F was the ideal temperature for these parmesan crusted chicken thighs. The breading gets nice and crispy while the chicken is still juicy. There is no need in an air fryer to cook at a higher heat as may be used in the oven.

Can I make this recipe with chicken breasts?

You sure can! I make air fryer chicken breasts all the time so it is a pretty easy swap. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and air fry the chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes for each side.

Check that the internal temperature is 165°F. You can typically remove the air fryer basket when the internal temperature is around 160°F and allow it to sit in the basket until it reaches 165.

Try to make sure the chicken breasts are about the same thickness as well for more even cooking. Thicker breasts will take longer to cook.

Can I make these chicken thighs in the oven?

You can, but they won't come out quite as crispy and will certainly take a bit longer to cook. But if you don't have an air fryer, baking these parmesan crusted chicken thighs is still great!

For best results place a rack on top of your sheet pan. Preheat oven to 375°F and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F.

What to serve with this chicken recipe:

Personally mac and cheese is always a great idea with a crispy chicken dinner. Opt for this Gruyere Mac and Cheese or a super simple Instant Pot Cheesy Mac.

A salad is also a great idea-- this Burrata Spring Green Salad or perhaps a Tomato Basil Pasta Salad.

If you are still in need of more parmesan, these Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes are delicious!

Other Air Fryer Recipes:

• Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
• Buffalo Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
• Air Fried Broccoli
• Corn on the Cob
• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
• Ultimate Air Fryer Hamburgers

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