If you are looking for an easy keto dinner, try these crispy air fryer chicken thighs with an easy but delicious creamy parmesan garlic sauce. The creamy keto sauce can be made in minutes and tastes great on the juicy chicken thighs and simple steamed vegetables for a healthy and tasty dinner. Each tablespoon of sauce has just 0.5g net carbs!
You might also like these air fryer bacon wrapped chicken thighs!
I started buying chicken thighs again because they are just so easy to roast in an air fryer and it’s a family favorite on busy weeknights. So today I was in the mood to make a cheesy sauce for them and came up with this keto creamy parmesan garlic sauce to go on top.
The best thing about this keto creamy sauce is that you can use it on plain steamed vegetables too as well as other foods like pork, veggie noodles, fish, etc. Oh and it take less than 10 minutes to make.
So you can get the thighs going in the air fryer, whip up the parmesan garlic sauce on the stove and steam the vegetables and a healthy low carb dinner is done in less than 30 minutes.
Recipe ingredients I used.
For the creamy parmesan garlic sauce I used these simple ingredients – cream cheese, parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, Better than Bouillon chicken base, Italian seasoning and onion powder.
If you don’t have Better than Bouillon you can use bouillon or substitute the water and Better than Bouillon with chicken broth. Though I highly recommend Better than Bouillon as it adds so much flavor to many recipes, especially soups.
For the crispy air fryer chicken thighs I mixed together some onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and paprika to season them before baking. You can use skinless chicken thighs if you wish but I love how the skin gets crispy in the air fryer.
How to make crispy chicken thighs in the air fryer.
I made these thighs in the air fryer instead of a skillet or baking them in the oven because they much more crispy and delicious in my opinion. You can make them anyway you want but if you have an air fryer give it a try.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F. Mix ½ teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, salt and paprika together in a small bowl then rub into the skin of the thighs, front and back.
Step 2: Once the air fryer is preheat, spray the basket with nonstick olive oil cooking spray and then lay the chicken skin side down.
Step 3: Cook for 10 minutes. Flip the pieces of chicken and then cook for an additional 15 minutes. The internal temperature should be 165°F using a meat thermometer.
Step 4: While the chicken thighs are cooking the air fryer, make the keto parmesan garlic sauce (see below).
Step 5: When done, transfer chicken to a platter and ladle sauce over top. Or you can serve on the side in case you want to use it with veggies.
Note cooking time may vary. You can garnish with a bit of chopped fresh parsley leaves for color if you wish. (Please scroll down to view the printable recipe card.)
How to make the creamy parmesan garlic sauce.
- Get out a small pan and heat to medium to medium low heat.
- Add the cream cheese, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning, water, Better than Bouillon and crushed garlic.
- Whisk together as the cream cheese melts and everything is well combined for 2-3 minutes. Then add the parmesan cheese and mix again.
- Let simmer for a minute or two until the parmesan cheese has melted and combined. This is a rather thicker sauce and if you want to add a bit more water to thin it you can.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or place plastic wrap on top and securely tightly. It will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Other ways to use this creamy parmesan sauce.
Just like the crispy thighs you can use this sauce drizzled over chicken breast, pork chops, even shrimp. It adds so much flavor to a dish.
It’s also very good on simple steamed vegetables, cauliflower rice, any kind of vegetable noodles or low carb pasta and cauliflower mash
Other tasty keto sauces for chicken.
I didn’t realize how many delicious keto sauces for chicken recipes that I have made on this blog! All of them are very easy to make and would go great with air fryer chicken as well as veggie noodles and other types of protein like fish, pork and steak.
Try one of these chicken sauce recipes!
- keto Alfredo
- cilantro chimichurri
- creamy sriracha
- creamy pesto
- creamy mushroom
- creamy sun dried tomato and spinach
- keto buffalo
- lemon butter
- creamy poblano
- low carb bbq
- creamy herb
- lemon dijon
- roasted red pepper
Well have to say that I am very pleased with this keto creamy parmesan garlic sauce. It’s so easy to whip up and it tastes good on everything. It gives that extra flavor to any weeknight dinner. I hope you give this one a try and enjoy it too!
The nutritional information for 1 tablespoon of the creamy sauce is 25 calories / 1.8g fat / 0.5g carbs / 1.3g protein = 0.5g net carbs
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Keto Creamy Parmesan Garlic Sauce
This keto creamy garlic parmesan sauce is so easy to make and the delicious flavor tastes great on everything. Like these air fryer crispy and tender chicken thighs or simple steamed vegetables this is sure to be one of a favorite recipe for the entire family.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs (with skin and bone in)
Parmesan Garlic Sauce
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian spices
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon chicken base
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 380°F. Mix the ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and salt together and rub all over the chicken thighs.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer and place the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip the thighs over and cook for an additional 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken is baking, make the parmesan cream sauce. Get out a small saucepan and turn on the heat to medium heat.
- Add the creamy cheese, water, garlic, onion powder, Italian spices and Better than Bouillon. Whisk together and let simmer for a couple of minutes until the cream cheese melts.
- Next add in the grated parmesan cheese and whisk together. Simmer until the parmesan has melted and everything is combined.
- Serve the sauce along side or on top of the chicken thighs. You can also use this sauce on steam vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
The nutritional information for 1 tablespoon of the creamy sauce is 25 calories / 1.8g fat / 0.5g carbs / 1.3g protein = 0.5g net carbs
If you don't have Better than Bouillon you can use granular bouillon or substitute the water and Better than Bouillon with chicken broth. Though I highly recommend Better than Bouillon as it's flavor gold and adds so much flavor to many recipes, especially soups.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: t tablespoonsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 25
  ½ c water, 2 oz cream cheese, 1 t onion powder, ¼t Italian seasoning, 1t BTB, ½ c parmesan, 1 clove garlic  (4 chicken thighs, ½ t salt, ½ t onion powder, ½ t garlic powder, ½ t paprika – 10 minutes skin down, and 15 minutes up. 380F for 25 minutes)
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