Air Fryer Whole30 Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs rubbed with lemon zest, black pepper, and compliant spices, air-fried to juicy perfection with crackling skin. Every ingredient is Whole30-compliant.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry
- 1 lemon, zested and cut
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
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1
Pat 4 patted dry bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels — dry skin is essential for crispiness.
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2
In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon zest from 1 lemon, 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin.
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3
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3 minutes.
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4
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 12 minutes. Flip skin-side up and cook another 10-13 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
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5
Rest the chicken for 3 minutes. Squeeze fresh juice from the lemon over the top, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve.