Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Crust

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

Juicy skin-on chicken thighs coated in a savory herb crust, air-fried to golden perfection with minimal effort. This american (low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, avocado oil, dried thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub with 1 tbsp avocado oil, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, lemon zest, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Arrange thighs skin-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
  3. Step 3: Air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes, then flip and cook 8-10 minutes more until skin is crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Crust take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Crust?

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 avocado oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Crust?

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 Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Crust 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 Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Herb Crust 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.

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