Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner with the most mouthwatering Peruvian chicken that'll make your taste buds dance! This air fryer recipe is about to revolutionize how you cook chicken, delivering restaurant-quality results in less than 45 minutes. Imagine perfectly crispy skin, bold spices that transport you straight to the streets of Peru, and a cooking method so easy, you'll wonder why you ever used a traditional oven.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Peruvian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Remove chicken thighs from refrigerator and pat completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin and even seasoning.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a dry spice rub.
- Drizzle olive oil over chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is lightly and evenly coated.
- Generously sprinkle the prepared spice mixture over both sides of the chicken thighs, massaging the seasoning into the meat to create a uniform coating.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Arrange chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping and have space between them for proper air circulation.
- Cook chicken for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning and crispy skin.
- Check internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer - it should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
- Once cooked, remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken just before serving to enhance the Peruvian-style flavor profile.
- Serve hot with your choice of sides like rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Tips
- • Pat the chicken thighs COMPLETELY dry before seasoning - this is the secret to achieving that irresistibly crispy skin. • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Give each chicken thigh breathing room to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness. • Use a meat thermometer to guarantee your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). • For extra flavor, let the seasoned chicken sit for 15-20 minutes before cooking to allow the spices to penetrate the meat. • The lime juice added at the end isn't just a garnish - it's a flavor bomb that brightens the entire dish and adds an authentic Peruvian touch. • Experiment with side dishes, but rice or roasted vegetables complement this chicken beautifully.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 110mg
