Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs
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Irresistible Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs: A 25-Minute Italian-Inspired Delight

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Introduction

Transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched hills of Italy with our Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs recipe! This dish combines the aromatic flavors of basil pesto with juicy chicken thighs, all achieved with the convenience of air frying. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a perfect choice for a quick yet sophisticated weeknight dinner that will make you feel like you’re dining in a Tuscan trattoria.

Air Fryer pesto chicken thighs on a white gold-rimmed ceramic plate with fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and flavorful: Ready in just 25 minutes
  • Healthier option: Uses minimal oil while delivering maximum flavor
  • Versatile: Great on its own, with pasta, or atop a salad
  • Impressive: A restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly simple to make

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional for garnish: fresh basil leaves, lemon wedges, cherry tomatoes

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs Ingredients laid out on the white marble countertop

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Pro Tip: The Cosori Air Fryer ensures perfectly crispy skin while allowing the pesto to infuse the chicken with its delicious flavors!

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  2. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of the pesto with olive oil and lemon zest.
  3. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper.
  4. Gently loosen the skin on each thigh and spread some of the pesto mixture underneath.
  5. Brush the remaining pesto mixture over the skin of the chicken thighs.
  6. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, ensuring they don’t overlap.
  7. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs.
  8. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  9. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken thighs.
  10. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  11. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, lemon wedges, and cherry tomatoes if desired. Serve with the remaining 1/4 cup of pesto on the side.
Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs Collage

Tips for Success

  • For maximum flavor, prepare the pesto mixture in advance and marinate the chicken for 2-4 hours before cooking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
  • If using store-bought pesto, choose a high-quality brand for the best flavor.

Variations

  • Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto: Replace half the basil pesto with sun-dried tomato pesto for a tangy twist.
  • Pesto Rosso: Use red pesto (pesto rosso) instead of green for a different flavor profile.
Side-by-side of regular pesto chicken thighs and the sun-dried tomato pesto variation

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 380
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fat: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs with a side of roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic bread for a complete, Italian-inspired meal. For an extra special presentation, use these beautiful White and Gold Serving Platters.

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs plated with roasted cherry tomatoes and sliced garlic bread

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container like these Glass Food Storage Containers (affiliate link) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs recipe, you might also like these recipes from our Air Fryer Chicken collection:

For more delicious air fryer chicken recipes, check out our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Round-up Post or explore our Air Fryer Chicken Breast Round-up Post for a variety of air fryer chicken dishes.

Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs Conclusion

We hope this Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs recipe brings a taste of Italy to your dinner table! It’s a perfect example of how air frying can create gourmet-inspired meals with minimal effort and time. Don’t forget to share your pesto creations with us on social media and let us know your favorite way to serve these aromatic chicken thighs in the comments below.

Close-up of a bite of Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs on a gold fork

Happy air frying!

This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Chicken series. Discover more air fryer chicken recipes in our [Link to Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post] or explore all our air fryer chicken collections in our [Link to Master Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post].

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