Description
A simple, kid-friendly air fryer chicken thigh recipe that involves children in the prep process through dipping and rolling, resulting in extra-crispy, juicy chicken without the grease of deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. If pieces are large, cut them in half to ensure uniform size.
- Set up two shallow bowls. In the first, whisk the eggs until smooth. In the second, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, then roll it in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place chicken pieces in a single layer without overlapping. Brush tops with a little more oil.
- Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through (at the 8-minute mark).
- Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to keep it juicy. For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: air fryer chicken, kid-friendly recipes, crispy chicken thighs, healthy dinner, family cooking, air fryer recipes, easy chicken dinner