Lemon Roasted Chicken is one of my favorite ways to make chicken. It’s so tasty and flavorful on it’s own, but isn’t too overpowering of a flavor to rework the leftovers.
Well, we have an even easier way to make it with these air fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken thighs. That’s right, they’re made in an air fryer, and are done in just a little more than half an hour.
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How to Make Air Fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs with Roasted Potatoes
A Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill/Air Fryer was used for this Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs recipe. A different air fryer may take longer or shorter to cook, and it’s advised to check the manual for your specific air fryer.
While your Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs will be cooked in about 25-35 minutes, lots of things can affect the timing. These include 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. You’ll also want to wait to add the lemon wedges until halfway through air frying. Otherwise, they may become overly blackened and charred.
Time:
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 lbs. small waxy potatoes, cut into equal, bite-sized pieces. We like the multi colored ones but use whatever kind you like.
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 t. dried rosemary
- 1 t. garlic powder
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 whole lemons, quartered
- Sprigs of fresh rosemary, for garnish
Directions:
- Remove chicken thighs from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Set it aside.
- Turn on the air fryer and select the “Air Crisp” function. Set the temperature to 400°F and adjust the timer to 25 minutes. Press “Start” to pre-heat the unit.
- While the unit pre-heats, add the diced potatoes to a large bowl and drizzle with one tablespoon 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 beeps and flashes “Add Food,” open the lid and place the chicken thighs inside.
- Pour the seasoned potatoes in around the chicken thighs and spread into an even layer. Close the lid to start air frying.
- After 12 minutes, lift the lid and carefully turn the chicken thighs and stir the potatoes so they brown evenly. Add the lemon wedges and close the lid.
- Continue air frying for another 10 minutes, then check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs with an instant read meat thermometer. Remove the lemon wedges and adjust final cook time, if necessary, depending on the results.
Note: Safe cooking temperature for bone-in chicken thighs is 165°F. However, aim for 170 – 175°F 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.
- Remove 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!
This Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs recipe is delicious served with steamed Brussels sprouts or green beans.
Helpful Hints for making Air Fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
Patience with Preheating: Make sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken and potatoes. This helps ensure even cooking and crispy results.
Even Layer: Spread the potatoes in an even layer around the chicken thighs to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. No one likes under cooked potatoes.
Check for Doneness: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs. They should reach at least 165°F, but aiming for 170 – 175°F will result in juicier chicken.
Resting Time: Allow the chicken thighs to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender final dish.
Customization: Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste. Add more spices or herbs to the potatoes, or swap out the rosemary for thyme or oregano. If you like a little spice, adding red pepper flakes is a great addition.
Crispiness: For extra crispy skin, you can try spraying the chicken thighs lightly with cooking spray before cooking or increasing the cooking time slightly (but keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking).
Air Fryer Liners: An air fryer liner is a life changer. It makes cleanup so much easier, and you can easily clean the basket between uses. Parchment liners are great, as are the silicone reusable kind. It all depends on your personal preference.