Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs In The Air Fryer

Air fryer lemon pepper chicken legs with a perfect balance of citrus and a bold kick of pepper, all while maintaining the juiciness and tenderness of succulent chicken legs.

Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these chicken legs are sure to become a family favourite.

Try making different variations of this gorgeous air fried lemon pepper chicken recipe.

Instead of chicken legs use boneless thighs, chicken drumsticks or even coat a whole chicken with the seasoning.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs Lemon Pepper

Choosing the Perfect Chicken Legs

Before you begin, it’s crucial to select high-quality chicken legs.

Opt for organic, skin-on legs for the best flavour and texture.

The skin will turn irresistibly crispy in the air fryer, while the meat remains moist and tender.

How Long Do You Cook Chicken Legs In The Air Fryer?

Air fry at 190C/ 380F for about 25-30 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time.

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.

Note: Remember that cooking times can vary based on the size of the chicken legs and the specific air fryer model you’re using.

It’s always a good idea to check for doneness using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients:

• fresh chicken legs (4 pieces)
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning blend
• olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional: Fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish

How To Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Haven’t got any lemon pepper seasoning?

Make your additive-free seasoning with a few tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, two teaspoons of ground black pepper, and a teaspoon of salt. Omit the salt from the ingredient list.

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How To Marinate Chicken Legs

Use a zip lock bag or a large bowl.

Place the olive oil, garlic, zesty lemon pepper seasoning, and salt into the bag or bowl and add the chicken legs.

Shake the bag so the ingredients coat the chicken or use your hands to rub in the mixture.

Allow the flavours to absorb by marinating the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before air frying.

Preparing Your Air Fryer

While the chicken marinates, prep your air fryer.

Follow these simple steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 190C/ 380F for 5 minutes.

Lightly coat the basket with non-stick cooking spray or a thin layer of oil. For easier clean up use a liner or aluminium foil to line the basket.

How To Air Fry Chicken Legs With Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Place the marinated chicken legs in a single layer in the basket. Ensure there is some space between each piece for optimal air circulation.

Air fry the chicken legs at 190C/ 380F for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through, turn the legs to ensure even cooking.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74C/165F. This guarantees that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Once the chicken legs are a gorgeous golden-brown colour, they’re ready to be enjoyed.

Achieving Crispy Perfection: Tips for Even Cooking

For an extra layer of crispiness, consider lightly spraying your chicken legs with cooking spray before cooking.

This will help achieve that deep, golden-brown colour.

Healthier Alternative: Skinless Chicken Legs

Looking for a healthier twist?

Opt for skinless chicken legs. You’ll still enjoy the flavours of lemon and pepper without the added calories from the skin.

Less Oil

Traditional frying methods often lead to greasy and calorie-laden results.

With the air fryer, you can achieve crispiness using significantly less oil.

This means you can enjoy your air fried lemon pepper chicken legs without worrying about excessive calories.

Air Fried Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs Serving Suggestions

Fresh Citrus Salad

Pair the zesty chicken legs with a refreshing citrus salad (recipe).

Combine orange and grapefruit segments with mixed greens, red onion, and a light vinaigrette for a vibrant and tangy side.

Air Fryer Roast Vegetables

Serve your chicken legs with roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. The caramelised flavours of the veggies will complement the lemon pepper seasoning perfectly.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Create a comforting meal by serving the chicken legs with creamy mashed potatoes.

Greek Yoghurt Dip

Prepare a refreshing Greek yoghurt dip with chopped fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a touch of garlic.

Cucumber And Tomato Salad

Mix cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese with a light balsamic vinaigrette for a light refreshing salad.

Crusty Bread

Serve the chicken legs alongside crusty bread or rolls for a satisfying and hearty meal. Use the bread to soak up any delicious juices from the chicken.

Coleslaw

A crunchy coleslaw adds a nice contrast to the crispy chicken legs.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air fry sweet potato chips seasoned with a hint of cinnamon and paprika for a delicious slightly sweet side dish.

Corn On The Cob

Corn on the cob brushed with a mixture of butter and lemon pepper seasoning is a perfect accompaniment.

The options are endless, customise your meal to your taste.

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FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken legs for this recipe?

Fresh chicken legs are recommended for optimal results but you can use frozen legs. However, fully thaw them and marinate them for maximum flavour.

How do I prevent the chicken skin from becoming too dry?

Marinating the chicken before cooking helps lock in moisture. Additionally, you can lightly brush the chicken skin with oil.

Can I adjust the seasoning to make it less spicy?

Feel free to adjust the amount of zesty lemon pepper seasoning according to your taste.

Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Bone-in chicken legs are recommended for their juiciness, you can adapt the recipe using boneless chicken thighs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Marinating overnight intensifies the flavours and results in an even tastier dish.

Can I use this marinade for other meats?

This versatile marinade works well with various proteins like chicken breasts, pork chops, and even tofu.

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs

This dish perfectly balances the citrus of lemon with the bold kick of pepper, all while maintaining the juiciness and tenderness of succulent chicken legs.

Persons

4

Serving Size

1

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Wait Time

30 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Notes

Marinade for extra tasty chicken legs.
The nutritional value may not be correct.

Ingredients

• fresh chicken legs (4 pieces)
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning blend
• olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional: Fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Coat the chicken legs with olive oil, garlic, zesty lemon pepper seasoning, and salt.
2. Allow the flavours to absorb by marinating the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before air frying.
3. Preparing Your Air Fryer
4. While the chicken marinates, prep your air fryer.
5. Follow these simple steps:
6. Preheat your air fryer to 190C/ 380F for 5 minutes.
7. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or a thin layer of oil. For easier clean up use a liner or aluminium foil to line the basket.
8. How To Air Fry Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
9. Place the marinated chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure there is some space between each piece for optimal air circulation.
10. Air fry the chicken legs at 190C/ 380F for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through, turn the legs to ensure even cooking.
11. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74C/165F. This guarantees that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
12. Once the chicken legs are a gorgeous golden-brown colour, they’re ready to be enjoyed.

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs

Serves: 4

Amount Per Serving: 1
Calories		190 calories per serving
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6.61g		9.2%
	Saturated Fat 1.15g	5%
	Trans Fat 0.01g
Cholesterol 82.78mg		27.3%
Sodium 269.73mg		11.2%
Total Carbohydrate 1.44g		0.3%
	Dietary Fiber 0.28g	0%
	Sugars 0.25g
Protein 25.72g

Vitamin A 53.97mcg		Vitamin C 3.46mg
Calcium 12.94mg		Iron 0.61mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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