Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs & Potatoes Recipe
Home » COOK » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes »This Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs recipe ticks all the boxes – succulent and juicy chicken combined with tender roasted potatoes flavored with fresh lemon and fragrant rosemary – this dish is sure to become your family’s favorite in no time!
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Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs
I know that readers like to skip to the recipe card, but I recommend reading the blog post all the way through so that you don’t miss any tips or substitution suggestions, to ensure that you have all the ingredients and equipment required and understand the steps and timings involved.
When it comes to weeknight meal ideas, nothing is better than effortless dishes that also deliver incredible flavor.
It takes mere minutes to prepare this air fryer chicken recipe – simply season, toss, and let the air fryer do its magic!
Read on for full instructions and cooking tips so you can get this delicious chicken dinner ready in no time!
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
While most ingredients can be bought in grocery stores, for your convenience, any specialized or notable ingredients and equipment needed for this recipe have been linked to Amazon, Amazon Fresh, or other stores if available online.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs
- Fresh Produce – Small (Multi-Colored) Waxy Potatoes, Lemons, Rosemary
- Protein – Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs
- Pantry – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Black Pepper
- Dried Rosemary
- Garlic Powder
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is found on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Air Fryer – this is (one!) of the units we have. Cook times and instructions will vary among different air fryer units. Be sure to check the recommended guidelines for bone-in chicken thighs for your specific unit before preparing this recipe
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping/Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowls
- Instant Read Thermometer – to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog use cups and/or weighted measurements. American cups and kitchen food scales are handy pieces of equipment to have in your kitchen as it means you’ll be able to make all of the different recipes on my blog. I try to give American US customary, imperial, and metric measurements in my recipes. Please note, that you can mix cup measurements with weighted measures, but never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.,) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.,).
More Recipes Using Chicken Thighs
The hero ingredient in this dish is chicken thighs, so here are some more chicken recipes using the same:
- Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
- One-Pan Lemon & Rosemary Chicken Thighs
- Rustic Chicken and White Bean Stew with Andouille Sausage
- Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe with Rosemary and Lemon
- Cast Iron Chicken Provençal with Tomatoes & Olives
- Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Vegetables (An Easy Family Dinner)
How Do I Make Lemon Chicken Thighs In An Air Fryer?
The printable recipe card with the full ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Step 1 – Preheat Air Fryer: Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F/200°C and set the timer to 25 minutes. Press “Start” to preheat the unit.
Step 2 – Prepare the Potatoes & Chicken: Meanwhile, place the diced potatoes into a large bowl and add a tablespoon of olive oil, dried rosemary, and garlic powder. Season as desired with salt and black pepper and toss to combine. Set the bowl aside.
Brush the chicken thighs with the remaining olive oil on both sides and set them aside.
Step 3 – Air Fry Chicken & Potatoes: When the air fryer has finished preheating, place the chicken thighs into the basket and spread the seasoned potatoes around the chicken in an even layer. Place into the air fryer.
After 12 minutes, carefully turn the chicken thighs and stir the potatoes so they brown evenly. Add the lemon wedges and return the basket to the unit.
Continue air frying for another 10 minutes, then check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs with an instant-read meat thermometer (see recipe tips).
Remove the lemon wedges and adjust the final cook time, if necessary, depending on the results.
Step 4 – Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs and roasted potatoes from the air fryer. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
Step 5 – Garnish & Serve: Transfer the chicken thighs, roasted potatoes, and warm lemon wedges to a large serving platter. Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for more recipes for your air fryer? Check these out:
- Burgers In Air Fryer – from Wendy at Daisies & Pie
- Air Fryer Sausages – from Kay & Luke at Flawless Food
- Air Fryer Mummy Meatballs with Marinara Sauce for Halloween
Recipe Tips
- If multi-colored potatoes are difficult for you to get, red or another waxy potato can be substituted in this recipe
- Cook times and instructions will vary among different air fryer units. Be sure to check the recommended guidelines for bone-in chicken thighs for your specific unit before preparing this recipe.
- Cook time for this recipe will depend on several factors, including the internal starting temperature of the chicken, the size of the potato chunks, and the make/model of the air fryer used.
- For this recipe, the chicken was removed from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking and the potatoes were cut into equal-sized pieces, as shown.
- For best results, add the lemon wedges halfway through air frying. Otherwise, they may become overly blackened and charred.
- The safe cooking temperature for bone-in chicken thighs is 165°F/70°C. However, aim for 170 – 175°F/77°C-80°C for best results.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer when the temperature is within this range as the internal temperature will rise several degrees while the chicken rests.
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Cool (within 1-2 hours), transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Ensure food is piping hot throughout when re-heating.
- Freezing Instructions:
- It is advised not to refreeze previously frozen chicken. Only freeze chicken that you have used fresh.
- Cool completely and wrap in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil to help prevent freezer burn and keep out unwanted freezer smells. Place on a flat surface in the freezer. Or cool and transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container and place in the freezer.
- Label with the name of the dish, thawing/reheating instructions, and the date to keep track of your food storage.
- Cooked chicken will last in the freezer for 3-4 months.
- To defrost the chicken thighs, unwrap them completely and place them in the fridge to thaw overnight (or at least 12 hours).
- Reheat until piping hot throughout and reaches an internal temperature of 70°C/165°F but this can differ depending on the cut.
- Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart for Cooking
- With all leftovers, make sure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs Recipe Card
To save ink, any demonstration photos do not print on the recipe card.
Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 lbs 450g small multi-colored waxy potatoes, cut into equal, bite-sized pieces*
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 whole lemons quartered
- Sprigs of fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Remove chicken thighs from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Set aside.
- Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F/200°C and adjust the timer to 25 minutes. Press “Start” to pre-heat the unit.
- While the air fryer pre-heats, add the diced potatoes to a large bowl and add one tablespoon of olive oil, dried rosemary, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired, and toss to combine. Set aside.
- Brush the chicken thighs with the remaining olive oil on both sides and set aside.
- When the air fryer has finished preheating, place the chicken thighs into the basket and spread the seasoned potatoes around the chicken in an even layer. Place into the unit.
- After 12 minutes, carefully turn the chicken thighs and stir the potatoes so they brown evenly. Add the lemon wedges and return the basket to the unit.
- Continue air frying for another 10 minutes, then check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs with an instant-read meat thermometer (see notes). Remove the lemon wedges and adjust the final cook time, if necessary, depending on the results.
- Remove the chicken thighs and roasted potatoes from the air fryer. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
- Transfer the chicken thighs, roasted potatoes, and warm lemon wedges to a large serving platter. Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- *Red or another waxy potato can be substituted if desired.
- For best results, add the lemon wedges halfway through air frying. Otherwise, they may become overly blackened and charred.
- The safe cooking temperature for bone-in chicken thighs is 165°F/70°C. However, aim for 170 – 175°F/77°C-80°C for best results.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer when the temperature is within this range as the internal temperature will rise several degrees while the chicken rests.
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Recipes To Make A Special Dinner
You’ve made the entrée, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Appetizer: Classic Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
- Soup: Easy Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Salad: Crunchy Apple Celery Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette
- Side Dish: Oven-Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
- Beverage: Irish Margaritas with Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
There are 500+ Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog for you to enjoy – please feel free to check them out too.