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Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken

★★★★★★★★★★
4.6 stars, average of 36 ratings

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Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer ChickenPin itFollow us 148.4k

I've only got my Air Fryer a few months ago and here's what I've realized: The best ever chicken is made in the air fryer!

This is how you get juicy and tender chicken with ultra crispy skin. An easy keto dinner recipe for two, or more if you have a larger air fryer. I used bone-in chicken legs or an equivalent amount of chicken thighs or drumsticks (4 chicken thighs or 4 to 6 drumsticks).

To add extra flavor I marinated the chicken in avocado oil, fresh herbs, garlic and lemon juice. Olive oil will would taste better but it's not as heat stable as avocado oil.

Just two hours of marinating will be enough to add flavor, although the chicken gets better if you leave it in the marinade overnight. Just before cooking, brush any pieces off the chicken as these tend to get burnt. Don't worry if you forget and just brush them off after cooking.

Sides to Serve with Crispy Chicken

I served mine with Spanish Cauli-Rice but you can serve these marinated crispy legs with any of these low-carb sides:

Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer ChickenPin itFollow us 148.4k

Oven Baking Instructions

If you don't have an air fryer, you can simply bake the chicken in the oven. To do that, marinate the chicken exactly the same way you would for air fryer cooking. Place the chicken legs skin side up in a tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 200 °C/ 400 °F (fan assisted), or 220 °C/ 425 °F (conventional) for 40 to 45 minutes, basting once or twice. An instant read thermometer should read 74 °C/ 165 °F when done.

Hands-on Overall

Serving size 1 chicken leg

Allergy information for Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken

✔  Gluten free
✔  Dairy free
✔  Egg free
✔  Nut free
✔  Nightshade free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Coconut free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free

Nutritional values (per 1 chicken leg)

Net carbs2.3 grams
Protein33.2 grams
Fat59.3 grams
Calories680 kcal
Calories from carbs 1%, protein 20%, fat 79%
Total carbs2.7 gramsFiber0.4 gramsSugars0.4 gramsSaturated fat11.9 gramsSodium781 mg(34% RDA)Magnesium43 mg(11% RDA)Potassium459 mg(23% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 2 servings)

  • 1/4 cup virgin avocado oil or olive oil (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30 ml)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard or wholegrain mustard
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley or herbs of choice
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 chicken legs or 4 chicken thighs (680 g/ 1.5 lb) - will yield about 60% meat

Instructions

  1. In a bowl mix the avocado oil (or olive oil), lemon juice, minced garlic, mustard (Dijon or wholegrain), chopped parsley, sea salt and pepper. Whisk with a fork until well combined. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
  2. Place the chicken in a ziploc bag and pour in most of the marinade, optionally reserving about 2 tablespoons for later and store it in a small bowl in the fridge. Place the chicken in the fridge and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
    Note: Each chicken leg I used was about 350 grams (12.4 oz) and will yield about 60% meat. If you're viewing this recipe from the KetoDiet app, you will see net weight per edible parts (meat) only. You can either use 2 whole chicken legs or 4 chicken thighs. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
  3. When ready to cook, place the chicken in your air fryer, skin side down. It's better if you brush off any pieces as these tend to get burnt in the air fryer. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
  4. Turn the air fryer on and set the temperature to 200 °C/ 400 °F and cook for 20 minutes.
    Note: If you don't have an air fryer, check the tips in the recipe post above for oven baking. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
  5. After 20 minutes remove from the air fryer. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
  6. Using tongs, turn the chicken legs on the other side and place back in the air fryer. Cook for another 12 to 15 minutes. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
  7. Serve with the reserved 2 tablespoons of the marinade and sides of choice such as cauliflower rice, roasted green beans or salads. If you use plain cauliflower rice, you can use the reserved marinade to add flavor to it.
  8. These crispy air fryer chicken legs are best served immediately or stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Garlic, Herb & Mustard Marinated Air Fryer Chicken

Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
Step by Step

★★★★★★★★★★
4.6 stars, average of 36 ratings
Marinated Air Fryer Chicken
The best chicken is made in the air fryer! This is how you get juicy and tender chicken with ultra crispy skin. An easy low-carb dinner recipe for two.
Hands on10m
Overall2h 45m
Servings2
Calories680 kcal
Pin it

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup virgin avocado oil or olive oil (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (30 ml)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard or wholegrain mustard
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley or herbs of choice
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 chicken legs or 4 chicken thighs (680 g/ 1.5 lb) - will yield about 60% meat

Instructions

  1. In a bowl mix the avocado oil (or olive oil), lemon juice, minced garlic, mustard (Dijon or wholegrain), chopped parsley, sea salt and pepper. Whisk with a fork until well combined.
  2. Place the chicken in a ziploc bag and pour in most of the marinade, optionally reserving about 2 tablespoons for later and store it in a small bowl in the fridge. Place the chicken in the fridge and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
    Note: Each chicken leg I used was about 350 grams (12.4 oz) and will yield about 60% meat. If you're viewing this recipe from the KetoDiet app, you will see net weight per edible parts (meat) only. You can either use 2 whole chicken legs or 4 chicken thighs.
  3. When ready to cook, place the chicken in your air fryer, skin side down. It's better if you brush off any pieces as these tend to get burnt in the air fryer.
  4. Turn the air fryer on and set the temperature to 200 °C/ 400 °F and cook for 20 minutes.
    Note: If you don't have an air fryer, check the tips in the recipe post above for oven baking.
  5. After 20 minutes remove from the air fryer.
  6. Using tongs, turn the chicken legs on the other side and place back in the air fryer. Cook for another 12 to 15 minutes.
  7. Serve with the reserved 2 tablespoons of the marinade and sides of choice such as cauliflower rice, roasted green beans or salads. If you use plain cauliflower rice, you can use the reserved marinade to add flavor to it.
  8. These crispy air fryer chicken legs are best served immediately or stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition (per serving, 1 chicken leg)

Calories680kcal
Net Carbs2.3g
Carbohydrates2.7g
Protein33.2g
Fat59.3g
Saturated Fat11.9g
Fiber0.4g
Sugar0.4g
Sodium781mg
Magnesium43mg
Potassium459mg

Detailed nutritional breakdown (per 1 chicken leg)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Total per 1 chicken leg
2.3 g33.2 g59.3 g680 kcal
Avocado oil, extra virgin
0 g0 g27.3 g241 kcal
Lemon juice, fresh
0.8 g0 g0 g3 kcal
Garlic, fresh
0.9 g0.2 g0 g4 kcal
Dijon mustard
0 g0.1 g0.1 g2 kcal
Parsley, fresh (spices)
0.1 g0.1 g0 g1 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Pepper, black, spices
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Chicken, broilers or fryers, leg, meat and skin, raw
0.3 g32.7 g31.9 g428 kcal

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Martina Slajerova
Creator of KetoDietApp.com

Martina Slajerova

I changed the way I ate in 2011, when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. I had no energy, and I found it more and more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

That’s when I decided to quit sugar, grains, and processed foods, and to start following a whole-foods-based ketogenic approach to food.

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