Lemon rosemary chicken thighs get a modern twist with the help of your air fryer. This quick and easy recipe delivers crispy, golden skin and juicy, flavorful chicken in a fraction of the time it takes traditional oven methods.
Plus, the air fryer ensures minimal oil splatter, making cleanup a breeze.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Rosemary and lemon are a match made in culinary heaven. The rosemary infuses the chicken with a subtle herbal aroma, while the bright lemon cuts through any richness and adds a touch of tang. This dish is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering.
- Fast & Easy: This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Crispy Perfection: The air fryer delivers irresistibly crispy skin without the need for deep frying.
- Flavorful & Juicy: The combination of rosemary and lemon infuses the chicken with a vibrant flavor profile, while the air fryer method locks in the juices for a tender and delicious result.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Bone-in, Skin-on chicken thighs
- Olive oil
- Small potatoes (Yukon, Red new potatoes, fingerlings, etc)
- Rosemary sprigs (or dried if you can't source fresh)
- Fresh lemons
- Salt, Pepper
- Garlic, fresh (or garlic powder)
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Air Fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs
Defrost any frozen chicken ahead of time. I like to place frozen chicken in a plastic bag and set in the refrigerator the night before. In the morning, I transfer it to the kitchen sink to finish defrosting, and take the chill off of it.
You can preheat your air fryer, but it is such a small convection oven space, that preheating has really little effect to the cook time. Save your electricity!
Season The Chicken
- Quarter the potatoes and add to a medium size bowl and toss with the olive oil.
- Season with minced rosemary (fresh or dried), lemon zest, minced garlic (or garlic powder), salt, and black pepper. Toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Brush the chicken thighs with olive oil on both sides and place in the air fryer.
- Arrange the seasoned potato quarters around the chicken thighs.
- Close the lid and set the air fryer temperature to 400F, and the timer to 25 minutes.
Turn The Chicken Thighs Halfway Through The Cooking Time
- Open the air fryer after 12 minutes and carefully turn the chicken thighs. Turn the potato quarters so they brown evenly.
Check Internal Temperature
- Add the lemon wedges and close the air fryer to continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
- Check internal chicken thigh temperature with an instant read probe thermometer, it needs to reach at least 165F, but 170-175F is better. Remove the lemon wedges and continue cooking if needed.
Platter And Serve
- Remove chicken thighs and the roasted potatoes from the air fryer, arranging on a platter with the previously removed air fried lemon wedges. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, and serve!
Serving Suggestions
Rosemary lemon chicken thighs pair well with various sides. Consider additional roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. A simple salad, or something fancier like our Blueberry Kale Crunch salad are also great options.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots
- Warm Brussel Sprout Salad w Maple Dressing
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (Panera)
- Oven Roasted Garlic
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- No Rosemary? Substitute with other herbs like thyme, oregano, or a combination of your favorites.
- For a kick of heat, sprinkle the chicken thighs with a pinch of cayenne pepper before air frying.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for the chicken thighs. However, adjust the cooking time accordingly as chicken breasts cook faster.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this air fryer chicken recipe.
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- Nuwave Brio Air Fryer - Rotisserie - Grill - This 15 quart countertop Smart Oven has three slide in trays, that all can be used at the same time. You can air fry rotisserie chickens, an SO mush more!
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer - Folds up out of the way on your counter.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage and Reheating
- Leftover air-fried rosemary lemon chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer or oven until warmed through. For longer storage, you can freeze cooked chicken thighs for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this recipe:
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the chicken from crisping properly. Cook the chicken thighs in batches if necessary.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken thighs. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Get the most from your lemons: How To Juice A Lemon Like A Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to check for internal temperature (165°F) and continue cooking if necessary.
Thyme or oregano can be used as a substitute for rosemary in a pinch.
Yes, you can double the recipe, but depending on the size of air fryer you own, you may need to cook the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking.
More Delish Ideas
Air Fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1 lb small potatoes fingerling, Yukon, baby red potatoes
- 3 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 sprigs rosemary fresh, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest fresh
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 chicken thighs skin on, bone in
- 2 large lemons quartered
- rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Quarter the potatoes and add to a medium size bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.1 lb small potatoes, 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Season with minced rosemary, lemon zest, minced garlic , salt, and black pepper. Toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly.1 sprigs rosemary, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Brush the chicken thighs with remaining olive oil on both sides and place in the air fryer.4 chicken thighs
- Arrange the seasoned potato quarters around the chicken thighs.
- Close the lid and set the air fryer temperature to 400F, and the timer to 25 minutes.
- Open the air fryer after 12 minutes and carefully turn the chicken thighs. Turn the potato quarters so they brown evenly.
- Add the lemon wedges and close the air fryer to continue cooking for another 10 minutes.2 large lemons
- Check internal chicken thigh temperature with an instant read probe thermometer, it needs to reach at least 165F, but 170-175F is better. Remove the lemon wedges and continue cooking if needed.
- Remove chicken thighs and the roasted potatoes from the air fryer, arranging on a platter with the previously removed air fried lemon wedges. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, and serve!rosemary
Notes
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the chicken from crisping properly. Cook the chicken thighs in batches if necessary.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken thighs. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
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