Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest and Thyme

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Crispy skin and tender meat infused with bright citrus and earthy herbs. This American-inspired air-fryer recipe, ready in about 37 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 22 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken thighs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lemon
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp olive oil, the zest of 1 lemon, and 2 tbsp juice from the same lemon. Brush this mixture over the chicken thighs, coating all surfaces.
Step 3: Place thighs skin-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 20-22 minutes, flipping once halfway, until skin is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.