Lemon Garlic Chicken is a quick and easy dinner idea that’s ready in just 30 minutes! With a delicious homemade sauce and simple seasonings, this lemon garlic chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy!

air fried chicken thighs topped with lemon slices and fresh rosemary
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Lemon Garlic Chicken

Do you love lemon and garlic chicken? If you do, you’re going to love this air fryer lemon garlic chicken thighs recipe! The chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

Are you thinking about getting an air fryer? This lemon garlic chicken recipe is an excellent intro to the appliance. The chicken comes out crispy on the outside and juicy inside – perfect for a quick weeknight meal! Plus, there’s hardly any cleanup since the air fryer does all the work. Give it a try today!

Don’t just stop at chicken thighs! There are so many different ways to enjoy Lemon Garlic flavor like AIR FRYER LEMON GARLIC HERB SALMON, ROASTED LEMON GARLIC MUSHROOMS, and AIR FRYER GARLIC AND LEMON SHRIMP.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Lemon Chicken

  • Bold flavor with a few simple ingredients
  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Pairs well with all your favorite sides
  • Kid-friendly

What Is An Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a new kitchen appliance that’s been growing in popularity over the past few years. But what is an air fryer, and what can it do? An air fryer combines hot air with a little bit of oil to cook food, which gives it a crispy outer crust while keeping the inside moist.

This makes it an excellent option for cooking healthier foods, such as chicken and fish, without sacrificing taste or texture. Air fryers are also very versatile and can be used to cook various foods. So if you’re looking for a healthy and convenient way to cook your meals, an air fryer may be the perfect appliance!

Check out my favorite air fryers.

Ingredients Needed For Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

seasoned skin on chicken thighs on cutting board
  • Chicken Thighs: Use either bone-in or boneless. Either will work with this lemon garlic chicken recipe.
  • Olive Oil: You can also use any other high-heat oil such as coconut oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds some great flavor to your chicken
  • Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder

How To Make Air Fryer Lemon and Garlic Chicken

Are you looking for a quick and healthy dinner idea? This air fryer garlic lemon chicken recipe is just what you need! The chicken is cooked in minutes, and the lemony garlic flavor is delicious.

crispy garlic lemon chicken thighs in air fryer basket

Step 1: Prep and season chicken thighs

Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This will make the spices stick better and, in the end, give your chicken a better texture.

Spread the olive oil and lemon juice over all sides, then rub the spices onto the surface.

Step 2: Air fry garlic lemon chicken

Cook lemon garlic chicken in the air fryer at 360 degrees F for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, flip them and cook for another 10 minutes.

Remove lemon garlic chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve with some fresh lemon slices.

platter of crispy chicken thighs with fresh lemon and parsley

Pro Tips:

  • Crispy Skin: For crispier skin, remember to pat your chicken thighs dry before seasoning them. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and remove as much moisture as possible.
  • Crowding: Be careful not to overcrowd the basket. Otherwise, your garlic lemon chicken will not cook up correctly. Leave space between each piece and cook in batches if needed.
  • Flipping: Depending on your air fryer, you may need to flip the garlic lemon chicken thighs halfway through the cooking process.
  • Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer and take the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken thigh. When the chicken thigh’s internal temperature is 165 degrees F, remove from the air fryer.
  • Resting: Allow lemon garlic chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This guarantees that every bite will be nice and juicy.

Should You Marinate Chicken Thighs Before Cooking?

You can, but it’s not necessary. Just a simple rub of oil and seasonings is all you need to add flavor to your chicken! And since you won’t have to add marinating time to your meal prep, it makes this a quick and easy meal option.

Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer?

It’s easy to cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer, and you can use this same garlic lemon chicken recipe to do it.

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. If you don’t have a preheat option, simply run it at that temperature for 3-5 minutes. Then, air fry frozen chicken thighs for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.

For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400 degrees F during the last few minutes of cooking. And always be sure your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

What To Serve With Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Serve lemon garlic chicken with a side of rice or vegetables for a complete meal. Some of our favorites include Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Cauliflower, and Cremini Mushrooms.

Other excellent side dishes for lemon and garlic chicken include:

Can I Cook Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! Follow the recipe as directed, but increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes. Bone-in thighs take longer to cook than boneless thighs do.

More Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipes

Air Fryer Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs

Lemon Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a quick and easy dinner idea that's ready in just 30 minutes! With a delicious homemade sauce and simple seasonings, this lemon garlic chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy!

Ingredients 

  • 4 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in or bonless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  • Start by drying your chicken with a paper towel. This will make the spices stick better, and in the ned, give your chicken a better flavor.
  • Spread the olive oil and lemon juice over the chicken.
    Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs
  • Rub the spices over the chicken
  • Set the chicken in the air fryer basket, at 360 degrees F, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 10 minutes.
    How To Make Air Fryer Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs
  • Remove from the air fryer, and serve with lemon wedges.
    Air Fryer Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 585mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

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Air Fryer Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs