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Cooked lemon herb air fryer chicken legs served on a plate with roasted asparagus, fresh parsley, lemon slices, and lemon zest. The chicken has golden, crispy skin and is garnished with fresh herbs. This image shows the finished recipe ready to serve.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Recipe by Rebekah Winscott

These Air Fryer chicken legs are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly crispy every time. Made with fresh lemon, garlic, and simple seasonings, this easy air fryer chicken recipe is ready in about 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.

  • Total Time35 minutes
  • Yield2 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks attached), about 1 1/2-2 pounds
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or smashed
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, sliced, for serving
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, garlic, olive oil or melted butter, salt, and pepper.
  2. Rub the mixture all over the chicken legs, coating the skin evenly. If using chicken broth, add 1–2 tablespoons to the bottom of the air fryer basket or tray.
  3. Let the chicken sit for 10–15 minutes, if time allows.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if your model requires preheating.
  5. Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 3–5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.
  7. Serve warm with lemon slices on the side.

Notes

  • Patting the chicken dry helps create crispier skin.
  • For extra flavor, season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of the chicken legs and your air fryer model.
  • For more tender dark meat, cook to an internal temperature of 175°F.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken leg
  • Calories: 325 kcal
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 28g

Find it online: https://thisnanacancook.com/air-fryer-chicken-legs/