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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!
Table of Contents
- While You Will Love This Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe:
- Recipe Ingredients:
- Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Recipe Tips and Notes:
- Storage Instructions:
- What temperature is the best temperature to air fry chicken thighs?
- Can I make this recipe with chicken breasts?
- Can I make these chicken thighs in the oven?
- What to Serve with These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs:
- Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
This recipe was originally published November 2021 and updated with new images and updated copy in October 2023.
A PERFECT weeknight dinner that cooks up so easily, these parmesan crusted crispy 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!
While You Will Love This Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe:
- It is so simple to prep. This is such a simple recipe and you get the juiciest chicken that is so flavorful with minimal effort. Toss the chicken thighs in olive oil and seasoning, coat in parmesan bread crumb mixture and then air fryer. Flip once and that is it.
- Comes out crispy and so juicy! Seriously these crispy chicken thighs never disappoint. Keeping the skin on will also help seal in all the juiciness–whether you eat the skin or not!
- Pairs so well with lots of sides. This may be the best part. A dinner the whole family will love, and can easily be mixed and matched with some of your favorites. We typically add some gruyere mac and cheese, or parmesan mashed potatoes. A spring salad is great as well!
Recipe Ingredients:
- chicken thighs: I use skinless, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for these this recipe. You can remove the skin if you preder. 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. Avocado oil is another great option.
- 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
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel 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 small bowl or shallow dish, 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. Some say not to use cooking spray when air frying. A light mist of olive oil or even brushing olive oil over the inside of the basket is great.
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. Depending on the size of your chicken, this can take more time. If the chicken thighs are not all the same size, some may cook quicker so remove those when they reach 165°F or just under.
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.
Storage Instructions:
Refrigerating: To store any leftover chicken, transfer to an airtight container or wrap tight in foil and refrigerate for about 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer and cook for about 3-5 minutes at 400°F. These chicken thighs will be the crispiest and juiciest fresh from the air fryer but leftovers can still be tasty!
To Freeze: To freeze leftover chicken, allow to cool completely. Freeze for about an hour in a single layer on a plate or sheet pan. Then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container. I like to wrap individual thighs in foil for added protection. Freeze for up to 3 months.
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 These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs:
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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Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 3-4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 2- 2½ lbs.), skin removed if desired
- 2 T olive oil
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ¾ c breadcrumbs, or panko
- ½ c grated parmesan
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- If necessary, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Pat the chicken thighs dry and then toss them with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to evenly coat.
- Toss the breadcrumbs, parmesan and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Coat each chicken thigh entirely with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing it into all sides. Place presentation side (skin side) down on an oil sprayed air fryer basket or rack.
- Cook for about 12 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs and heat another 6-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the largest piece reaches 165°F. Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Not sure what setting to use on Insta Pot and how to get 400 degrees. Would love some help here!
Hi Linda! Does your Instant Pot have air fryer setting? If not, I don’t think it will work.
Great recipe, very easy to make and everyone loved it. I used boneless/skinless thighs and they were delicious. So glad there are leftovers.
So happy to hear this!! Leftovers for the win!
Used drumsticks. Removed the skin.
Was finger licking good.
Definitely a keeper recipe!
So happy to hear this!
I’m not usually a fan of thighs, but this recipe changed my mind. So yummy an easy!!
Love to hear this, Rose! I’m kind of the same way!
Loved this recipe. My husband said to keep this one because he really loves it. I just got the airfryer Abe the second time I have used it.
Thanks for sharing this recipe
Janice
Husband approval means it’s legit. So happy to hear this!!