Recipes AirfryerAir Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs with a punchy lemon pepper crust — this is the air fryer dinner you'll keep coming back to. Thighs stay moist where breasts can dry out, and the air fryer gives them golden, almost-crispy edges in about 20 minutes.
A quick marinade of lemon, garlic and cracked black pepper does all the work. Serve over rice or with a simple salad for an easy, high-protein weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
Marinate
Brush the thighs with olive oil, then rub all over with the lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt. Squeeze over the juice of half a lemon and let sit 15–60 minutes.
Preheat
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
Air fry
Place the thighs in a single layer and air fry at 400°F for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Serve
Rest 3 minutes, then finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and serve with wedges.
- Thighs are forgiving — but still pull them at 165°F so they stay juicy.
- No lemon pepper blend? Use cracked black pepper plus fresh lemon zest.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs work too — add about 4–5 minutes.
Frequently asked
How long do chicken thighs take in the air fryer?
Boneless thighs take 20–22 minutes at 400°F; bone-in thighs need about 25–28 minutes. Always cook to 165°F.
What is lemon pepper seasoning?
A blend of dried lemon zest, cracked black pepper and salt. You can make your own with lemon zest, pepper and a pinch of salt.
Should I use boneless or bone-in thighs?
Boneless cook faster and are easier to eat; bone-in, skin-on give you crispier skin and a bit more flavor.
