The Best Crispy Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs
When I don’t know what to make for dinner, I make these chicken thighs. They are as crispy and golden as can be without frying and with NO extra oil. And who doesn’t love a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes?
When I don’t know what to make for dinner, I make these chicken thighs. They are as crispy and golden as can be without frying and with NO extra oil. And who doesn’t love a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes?
I don’t remember the last time I made dinner and both of my kids asked for second helpings… Well, actually yes I do, it was my Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan. They can’t get enough of it, and Michael and I love it too, so it’s a no-brainer dinner in our house.
Crispy on the outside and rich, tender and juicy on the inside is exactly how chicken thighs should be. This recipe one of my go-to’s for reliably creating mouthwatering chicken every single time, and with only a handful of pantry-essential ingredients, it is an easy dinner to put together at short notice.
Chicken thighs—especially if they’re skin-on—have more fat and therefore are less inclined to dry out, and that is also what ensures the skin crisps up as beautifully as this, holding in all of the flavorful juiciness of that rich, tender dark meat.
Chicken thighs have become more popular in recent years, and for good reason. The meat is less expensive than breast and it offers a rich, full flavor that makes it perfect for the classic flavourings I’ve used here: woodsy rosemary sprigs and bright lemon.
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Step 1. Season the chicken thighs and add them to a cold cast iron skillet, skin side down.
Step 2. Turn the heat to medium and cook them without moving them for about 15 to 30 minutes. Reduce the heat if the skin begins to burn before it gets evenly golden brown.
Step 3. Turn the thighs over and stir in the lemon slices, and rosemary sprigs into the pan juices, tucking the rosemary under the chicken.
Step 4. Continue cooking the thighs until the meat closest to the bone is cooked through, about 15 minutes more.
Step 5. Remove the rosemary and serve the thighs and lemony pan drippings with lemon wedges.
Step 6. Enjoy!
Chicken thighs are a less expensive cut of meat, but are just as rich and flavorful as breast
This recipe uses ingredients you will almost certainly have on hand in your pantry
It’s Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Paleo
There’s absolutely no-fuss here!
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If you make my No-Fuss Crispy Chicken Thighs, and I hope you do, please leave me a comment here and rate the recipe. Your feedback means a lot to me! You can also post to Instagram and tag me so I can share your creations!
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