Print

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs – Easy Party Recipe

crispy garlic parmesan chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

These crispy garlic parmesan chicken thighs are ridiculously easy, ready in under 30 minutes, and perfect for parties or weeknight dinners. The secret is skipping flour and using Parmesan as the primary crust for a nutty, shatteringly crisp exterior and juicy meat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5 pounds total)
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (for garnish)
  • Extra Parmesan shavings (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken (5 minutes): Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place them on a plate and let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while you prep everything else.
  2. Make the Parmesan coating (3 minutes): In a small bowl, combine the freshly grated Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix with a fork until evenly distributed.
  3. Press the coating onto the chicken (5 minutes): Working with one thigh at a time, press the Parmesan mixture firmly onto the skin side. Use about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per thigh. The flesh side gets just a little salt and pepper if desired.
  4. Heat the skillet (3 minutes): Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Heat until the oil shimmers, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Sear the chicken (12-15 minutes): Carefully place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Do not crowd the pan. Leave them undisturbed for 6-8 minutes until the crust is deep amber-golden. Check by lifting one edge with tongs.
  6. Flip and finish cooking (8-10 minutes): Flip each thigh over using tongs. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F at the thickest part.
  7. Rest and serve (5 minutes): Transfer the chicken to a cutting board or platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, add a squeeze of lemon, and shave extra Parmesan on top if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken very dry for crispy skin. Do not flip too early or crust may stick. Freshly grated Parmesan is essential; pre-shredded will not work. For parties, keep finished thighs warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet for up to 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, easy party recipe, skillet chicken, low-carb chicken, keto chicken

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/crispy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-thighs-easy-party-recipe/