Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks with a flavorful garlic herb butter spread under the skin. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet impressive meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend treat, using the air fryer to achieve a perfectly cooked exterior and tender interior without deep frying.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 medium chicken drumsticks (~1 1/2 lb total)
Compound Butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 3/4 tsp sea salt (divided)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.
- Prepare the Compound Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt. Mash and mix together thoroughly with a fork until well combined.
- Loosen the Skin: Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Carefully run your hand under the skin on each chicken leg to separate it from the meat, creating a pocket for the compound butter.
- Apply the Butter: Place a generous dollop of the garlic herb compound butter under the skin of each chicken leg. Press the skin gently to spread the butter evenly beneath it.
- Season: Sprinkle the smoked paprika, black pepper, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt evenly over the chicken skin on each drumstick.
- Cook the Chicken: Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket with the skin side down. Air fry for 10 minutes. Flip each drumstick and continue cooking for another 8 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is essential for crispy skin.
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to retain juices.
- You can substitute parsley with other fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary if preferred.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
