These lemon pepper chicken thighs turn out juicy inside with golden, crisp edges and plenty of bright citrus flavor. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C), then cook the thighs for about 20 to 24 minutes, flipping halfway through. They are an easy weeknight main dish with very little cleanup—exactly what you want from chicken thighs in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, about 2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or less if the seasoning contains salt
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Chopped fresh parsley, optional
How To Make It
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes. Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels; removing surface moisture is important for crisp skin.
Place the thighs in a bowl and rub them with olive oil. Combine the lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and lemon zest, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over every side of the chicken.
Arrange the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave a little space between them so hot air can circulate. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
Flip the thighs skin-side up and continue cooking for another 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are crisp and the thickest part reaches at least 165°F (74°C). Avoid touching the bone when checking the temperature. Larger thighs may need 2 to 4 additional minutes.
Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before serving with fresh lemon wedges and parsley.
Tips
Dry skin produces the crispiest result, so do not skip patting the thighs with paper towels. For even better browning, refrigerate the uncovered chicken for 30 minutes after seasoning.
Check your lemon pepper label before adding salt because some blends are already quite salty. Lemon zest adds citrus flavor without making the skin wet; save the lemon juice for serving.
Do not overcrowd the basket. If the thighs overlap, cook them in two batches. Air fryer models vary, so begin checking a few minutes early and use an instant-read thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time.
Serve these crisp lemon pepper thighs with roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes, or a simple green salad for a fast, flavorful dinner.
