Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs with a golden crust, seasoned with garlic and thyme for a simple weeknight dinner. This american (keto) ready in about 45 minutes pairs skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Rub the mixture evenly over all chicken thighs, coating each piece thoroughly.
  3. Step 3: Place thighs skin-side up in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece.
  4. Step 4: Air fry at 375°F for 20 minutes, then flip and air fry for 10 minutes more until skin is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep skin-on chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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