Air Fryer Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs
Crispy, succulent chicken thighs infused with aromatic garlic and herbs, finished with a rich butter sauce for a satisfying keto-friendly dinner. This american-inspired air fryer (low-carb) ready in about 37 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp, finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp, finely chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Place the chicken thighs skin-side up in the air fryer basket and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp chopped rosemary, and 1 tsp chopped thyme.
- Step 3: Air fry at 375°F for 20-22 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: While the chicken cooks, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in any accumulated juices from the chicken, then serve the butter sauce over the chicken.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Air Fryer Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 37 minutes (15 min prep + 22 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 Fryer Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Air Fryer Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs?
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 Fryer Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs 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 Fryer Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
