Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring crispy, juicy boneless chicken thighs seasoned with fresh lemon, black pepper, and herbs, cooked in an air fryer for maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 medium fresh lemons (for zest and juice)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness. If pieces are large, cut them in half.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper to form a slurry.
- Place chicken in a mixing bowl and toss with the lemon pepper mixture, ensuring every piece is coated. Let sit while air fryer preheats.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Arrange chicken in the basket in a single layer without overlapping.
- Cook for 10 minutes. At the 5-minute mark, flip the chicken thighs to ensure even browning.
- Check internal temperature. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes if needed until internal temperature reaches 165°F-175°F.
- For extra crispiness, increase temperature to 400°F (205°C) for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Serve immediately with a wedge of fresh lemon on the side.
Notes
Do not skip drying the chicken; moisture prevents crisping. Ensure chicken is in a single layer to avoid steaming. Zest lemons before juicing. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 piec
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 26
Keywords: air fryer chicken, lemon pepper chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, air fryer recipes, weeknight dinner, boneless chicken thighs