This lemon pepper chicken thighs air fryer recipe is ready in under half an hour. The chicken thighs are juicy and delicious with minimum ingredients!
You will love the moist, succulent texture of this lemon pepper chicken thighs air fryer recipe and the way the lemon pepper seasoning highlights the exquisite natural flavors of the meat. Every mouthful is a taste sensation, the perfect reward for a long day.
The great thing about making these lemon pepper chicken thighs in air fryer is that they’re so easy! When you bake chicken, it can quickly become dry, but the air fryer cooks the meat quickly and evenly so that it is succulent every time.
These lemon pepper air fryer chicken thighs are so quick and easy that you won't have any trouble even if you’ve never used an air fryer before—a fantastic recipe to add to your weeknight rotation.
Ingredients you’ll need to make lemon pepper chicken thighs
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
Chicken thighs: For this lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Not only are they better for this recipe, but they’re also cheaper as you buy chicken by weight, and without bones and skin, the chicken weighs less!
Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds earthy depth to this recipe. You can use minced fresh garlic or garlic puree if you don't have garlic powder.
Lemon pepper seasoning: Available in most grocery stores, lemon pepper seasoning is a combination of zesty citrus and spicy pepper. You can also use fresh lemon zest (simply use a grater to get the yellow part of the lemon, otherwise known as the zest) and freshly ground black pepper.
Lemon slices: Optional, but they make a delicious garnish that you can squeeze for extra fresh lemon flavor.
Tools used to make the recipe
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How to cook lemon pepper chicken thighs in the air fryer?
Prepare the thighs: Pat dry chicken thighs with paper towels. Combine garlic powder and lemon pepper in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl or baking sheet, add the chicken thighs, olive oil, and seasoning toss to coat.
Air Frying: Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook to 380ºF for 10 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF in the thickest part of the thighs.
Serving: Remove from the heat and let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe tips:
Always use an instant meat thermometer when cooking raw meat in the air fryer to ensure the meat is fully cooked.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
How long to air fry lemon pepper chicken thighs
It takes around 10 minutes per side at 380°F to air fry lemon pepper chicken thighs, depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken thighs.
Always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving; this is also a great way to ensure that you don’t overcook your chicken, as this can make it dry.
What goes with lemon pepper chicken?
How to store and reheat lemon pepper chicken thighs?
If you have leftover air-fried lemon pepper chicken thighs, you can store them in the fridge or the freezer. Always ensure that you move cooked food into the refrigerator or freezer within 2 hours of cooking; otherwise, you risk bacterial growth.
It’s safe to store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to four months.
The best way to reheat lemon pepper chicken is in the air fryer!
Simply preheat it to 380°F, then lay the thighs in the basket (make sure they aren’t touching so there is enough room for the air to flow). Cook for 6-8 minutes, and flip halfway through. If you are heating frozen chicken, increase the time by 8-10 minutes.
Always use a meat thermometer to check that chicken has reached a safe internal temperature before serving.
FAQ’S
Lemon pepper seasoning is a pre-prepared blend, usually made up of dried lemon zest, salt and pepper. Some brands may also contain garlic and onion powder.
Always check the ingredients when buying lemon pepper seasoning, as some brands may have unwanted ingredients!
To season these lemon pepper boneless chicken thighs, simply pat them dry with paper towels and then toss the chicken thighs in a combination of lemon pepper seasoning and garlic powder. It’s that simple!
These air fryer lemon pepper chicken thighs are cooked with minimal oil, reducing fat content and without added sugar in the seasoning.
Chicken thighs are a good source of protein, which helps to build muscle and keep you feeling full, and while they contain more fat than chicken breast, they easily fit within the dietary guidelines for Americans.
In addition, they contain essential nutrients, so they are a good part of a balanced diet if prepared in a healthy way, such as baking or air frying and using herbs and spices as opposed to heavy or sugary sauces.
More Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipes
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Bone In Skin on Chicken Thighs
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Air Fryer
You will love the moist, succulent texture of this lemon pepper chicken thighs air fryer recipe and the way the lemon pepper seasoning highlights the exquisite natural flavors of the meat. Every mouthful is a taste sensation, the perfect reward for a long day.
Ingredients
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- Slices lemon to garnish
Tools
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken thighs with paper towels. Combine garlic powder and lemon pepper In a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl or baking sheet, place the chicken thighs, olive oil, and seasoning toss to coat.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry to 380ºF for 10 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF in the thickest part of the thighs.
- Remove from the heat and let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Always use an instant meat thermometer when cooking raw meat in the air fryer to ensure the meat is fully cooked.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 231mgSodium: 992mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 49g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.