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Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Chicken

4.7 stars, average of 26 ratings

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Ever since I baked chicken in my Air Fryer I never make it any other way. Air fryer makes the crispiest chicken skin with the perfect fall-apart and juicy meat. Plus it's so much easier and takes less time to cook!

I kept this recipe super simple and marinated some skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs in avocado oil, lemon juice, salt and crushed garlic. You can add herbs and any spices although you will need to scrape them off just before cooking as these bits tend to burn fast.

If you're short on time, simply brush with oil and season with salt and skip the marinating. Place in the air fryer for about 20 minutes and then serve with some Gremolata for extra flavor!

Sides to Serve with Crispy Garlic Chicken

I served mine with Cheesy Parmesan Cauliflower Mash but you can serve these marinated crispy chicken thighs with any of the sides below:

Oven Baking Instructions

If you don't have an air fryer, you can simply bake the chicken in the oven. To do that, marinate the chicken exactly the same way you would for air fryer cooking. Place the chicken thighs skin side up in a tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 200 °C/ 400 °F (fan assisted), or 220 °C/ 425 °F (conventional) for 25 to 30 minutes. An instant read thermometer should read 74 °C/ 165 °F when done.

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Hands-on Overall

Serving size 2 thighs

Allergy information for Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Chicken

✔  Gluten free
✔  Dairy free
✔  Egg free
✔  Nut free
✔  Nightshade free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Coconut free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free

Nutritional values (per serving, 2 thighs)

Net carbs0.9 grams
Protein35.7 grams
Fat47 grams
Calories566 kcal
Calories from carbs 1%, protein 25%, fat 74%
Total carbs1 gramsFiber0.1 gramsSugars0.2 gramsSaturated fat10.8 gramsSodium421 mg(18% RDA)Magnesium31 mg(8% RDA)Potassium302 mg(15% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 2 servings)

  • 4 skin on, bone in chicken thighs (560 g/ 1.2 lbs), about 400 g/ 14.1 oz if using boneless
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 2 tbsp virgin avocado oil or ghee (30 ml)
  • sea salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the chicken using a paper towel. Drizzle with lemon juice.
  2. In a small bowl combine the avocado oil (or melted ghee) and crushed garlic. Brush all over the chicken and season with salt. Place in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
    Note: We're using 4 bone-in chicken thighs, about 560 g (1.2 lbs). You can alternatively use 4 boneless chicken thighs, about 400 g (14.1 oz). Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Chicken
  3. When ready to cook, scrape any pieces off the chicken (these bits tend to burn fast) and place in the air fryer, skin side up (no basket insert inside to prevent the chicken from drying out).
  4. Turn the air fryer on and set the temperature to 200 °C/ 400 °F and cook for 18 to 20 minutes.
    Note: If you don't have an air fryer, check the tips in the recipe post above for oven baking. Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Chicken
  5. Once done, the skin should be golden and crispy and the meat cooked through. (An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read at least 74 °C/ 165 °F.) Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Chicken
  6. Season with black pepper and eat while still warm. Serve with simple salads such as Greek Salad or Arugula Salad. For a more satisfying meal, serve with Cheesy Parmesan Cauliflower Mash. The thighs can be reheated in the air fryer, oven or microwave but are best served fresh. Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Chicken

Ingredient nutritional breakdown (per serving, 2 thighs)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Chicken thighs, boneless, skin-on, raw
0 g35.6 g33 g438 kcal
Lemon juice, fresh
0.4 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Garlic, fresh
0.5 g0.1 g0 g2 kcal
Avocado oil, extra virgin
0 g0 g14 g124 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Pepper, black, spices
0.1 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Total per serving, 2 thighs
0.9 g35.7 g47 g566 kcal

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Martina Slajerova
Creator of KetoDietApp.com

Martina Slajerova

I changed the way I ate in 2011, when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. I had no energy, and I found it more and more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

That’s when I decided to quit sugar, grains, and processed foods, and to start following a whole-foods-based ketogenic approach to food.

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