Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer deliver a crackling crust with tender, juicy meat beneath. The buttermilk soak keeps the chicken succulent while a Parmesan breadcrumb coating adds rich, cheesy depth with hints of garlic, paprika, and pepper. Ideal for a weeknight dinner or casual get-together, they pair well with simple sides like slaw or roasted vegetables.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook25 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 48 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 56 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 15
- Heart Health
- 55
- Metabolic
- 14
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 42
- Performance
- 31
- General Wellness
- 1
Place the chicken thighs and buttermilk in a non-reactive lidded container or a resealable plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- 2
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Drain off the buttermilk and let the chicken sit on the counter while you prepare the breading mixture.
- 3
In a large, shallow bowl or pie plate, combine the flour, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, and black pepper; whisk or stir with a fork until evenly mixed.
- 4
Preheat the air fryer to 375 to 380 degrees F (190 to 195 degrees C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
- 5
When the air fryer is hot, press the chicken thighs, one at a time, into the breading mixture, ensuring the breading adheres to all sides as much as possible. Gently place them in the air fryer basket. Repeat until all thighs are breaded and in the basket, without stacking them.
- 6
Set the air fryer for 25 minutes. When the time is up, check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should be 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). If they are not quite done but the breading is getting dark, close the basket and let them rest, or turn the air fryer on again for a few more minutes and check again. Serve immediately.
- Calories 431.37 kcal High 22%
- Protein 26.84 g Good Source 54%
- Carbohydrate 16.95 g 6%
- Total Fat 27.56 g High 35%
- Saturated Fat 8.4 g High 42%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 149.57 mg High 50%
- Sodium 410.05 mg Moderate 18%
- Dietary Fiber 0.74 g Low Source 3%
- Total Sugars 2.87 g --
- Added Sugars 0.25 g Low Source 1%
- Calcium 114.43 mg Low Source 9%
- Iron 1.98 mg Moderate 11%
- Potassium 26.22 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin A 24.24 mcg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin C 0.69 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer is made with 11 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 40 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Bread Crumbs, and Buttermilk. Each serving provides about 431.37 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Bread Crumbs, Buttermilk, Chicken Thigh. The full list of 11 is above.
- How long does it take to make Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer?
- About 40 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 25 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 431.37 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 11 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer healthy?
- Crispy Breaded Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer has an easyChef Pro health score of 37/100. Per serving, it provides 431.37 calories and 26.84 g of protein, or 54% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 410.05 mg (18% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 8.4 g (42% of the Daily Value). It contains Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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