Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

Juicy chicken thighs with golden skin and a zesty garlic-herb butter sauce. This American-inspired air-fryer recipe (high-protein, low-carb), ready in about 32 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 345 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Ingredients

• 4 (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp lemon juice

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Place thighs skin-side up in basket, ensuring they don't touch, and cook for 20-22 minutes until skin is crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then stir in 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Remove chicken from air fryer, let rest 5 minutes, then drizzle with lemon-herb butter and serve immediately.