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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
