Cooking frozen chicken thighs in air fryer is simple and easy and this air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe will show you how to cook it be it boneless or bone in chicken thighs for a perfect tender juicy chicken that's packed full of flavor with crispy skin. Serve with rice, vegetables, diced potatoes, pasta, or any side dishes of your choice.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe
Can you cook chicken thighs from frozen? Absolutely! With this air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe, you don't have to do much work to get it ready for the dinner table. Season, air fry, and serve! That's just about what you need to do to make this simple chicken recipe. This makes it perfect for any weeknight when you have had a long day and looking for something easy to cook without compromising on taste.
Cooking frozen chicken thighs in air fryer is easy, and you don't have to thaw the chicken before cooking! It is quick, and in 30-35 minutes you can have perfectly cooked chicken that can be served with any side dishes of your choice. We like serving it with potatoes, or rice, and vegetables for a balanced meal.
This air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe uses a few ingredients. The frozen chicken thighs, seasoning, and a little bit of oil are the simple ingredients needed to make it and you get flavor-packed juicy chicken thighs.
With frozen thighs in air fryer, no prepping ahead, you can just pull the chicken out of the freezer, season, and cook straightaway without marinating.
This air fryer chicken thighs frozen is versatile when it comes to seasoning, and what to serve with. You can use any seasoning of your choice to make it...from lemon pepper to Cajun, BBQ seasoning, fried chicken seasoning, and jerk seasoning. The possibilities are endless.
It's also budget-friendly as you can buy chicken on sale, wash and freeze then cook it when needed or simply buy the ready-frozen chicken which is usually cheaper than fresh ones.
This recipe is high in protein, low carb, flavorful, healthy, and delicious.
Related: Air fryer frozen chicken breast, Air fryer bone in chicken thighs
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post
Frozen chicken thighs- I used frozen bone in chicken thighs but you can use frozen boneless chicken thighs. The cooking time differs so check the recipe notes.
Paprika- Use smoked paprika for a slight smokey flavor and color. It can be substituted for sweet or hot paprika.
Onion granules- This can be substituted for onion powder.
Garlic- Use garlic granules or powder.
Italian seasoning- If you don't have this, you can use any herb or a mix of herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
Black pepper- Can be substituted for cayenne pepper or chili.
Salt
Oil- Vegetable oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, or any flavorless oil works fine.
How To Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
Here's a step-by-step of how to air fry frozen chicken thighs:
Remove the frozen chicken thighs from its packaging.
Add the paprika, Italian seasoning, onion granules, garlic granules, salt, black pepper, and olive oil to a small bowl and mix till they are well combined.
Apply the seasoning mix on the chicken thighs to cover all the sides.
Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer leaving space in between the chicken. Don't overlap or overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer at 400F/200C for 15 minutes, then bring out the air fryer, flip the chicken thighs, and continue to cook it for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through with no blood in the middle and the internal temperature has reached at least 165F/75C.
Bring out the air fryer basket, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs In Air fryer
To cook frozen boneless chicken thighs in air fryer, follow the below simple instructions:
Remove the chicken from the packaging.
Mix the herbs, spices, and oil in a bowl.
Brush the seasoning mix all over the frozen boneless chicken thighs.
Arrange the chicken in the air fryer in a single layer without overcrowding.
Air fry frozen boneless chicken thighs for 10 minutes, then flip with a tong then continue to air fry for another 10 minutes or until cooked through.
Bring the chicken out, and rest them for a few minutes before serving.
How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
This depends on the size of the chicken thighs, and if they are bone in chicken thighs, or boneless chicken thighs, and the temperature of the air fryer. Bigger chicken thighs will take longer to cook than smaller ones. Boneless chicken thighs will cook quicker than bone in chicken.
Based on the average-sized bone in chicken thighs, how long to cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer is 30-35 minutes at 400F/200C.
How long to cook frozen boneless chicken thighs in air fryer is 20-25 minutes at 400F/200C.
If cooked at a lower temperature it will take longer to cook.
Chicken thighs are cooked when there is no blood inside, it's tender, and the outer is golden brown. You can cut into it to check. The internal temperature at the thickest part when checked with an instant meat thermometer should be at least 165F/75C.
Before cutting into the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes so the juice inside has time to redistribute.
What To Serve With
Here are some suggestions on what to serve it with:
Pesto potatoes, roast potatoes, butter potatoes, mashed potatoes
Jamaican rice and peas, basmati rice, jollof rice, Yellow rice
Baked vegetables, Boiled Zucchini, Boiled broccoli, pan fried broccoli
Spicy pasta, lemon pasta, veggie pasta, fried spaghetti
How To Store
When it's cooled completely, pack it in a Ziploc or an airtight bowl, then store it in the fridge where it will keep good for up to 4 days, or store it in the freezer where it will store well for up to 4 months.
Reheat from frozen or thaw and reheat. It can be reheated in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
To reheat In the air fryer- Arrange in the air fryer basket and air fry for 4 minutes or until warmed through to how you desire.
To reheat In the oven- Transfer the chicken to a baking tray, and bake them in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.
In the microwave - Place the chicken on a microwavable plate and microwave it on high settings at 30 seconds intervals till it's heated through.
Once reheated, don't refreeze.
Tips For Cooking Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
- Season chicken with any good seasoning for a different taste every time. Some tasty ones I recommend are cajun, lemon pepper, Peri peri, and jerk seasoning.
- No need to preheat the air fryer.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange in a single layer and leave space in between the chicken thighs.
- Ensure the thighs are cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165F/75C.
- You can brush the chicken with sauces like bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, teriyaki, and any other.
- Let the chicken rest for some minutes before cutting. 3-5 minutes is a good time.
- You can use this recipe for Air fryer frozen chicken leg quarters.
FAQS
You can cook frozen chicken in air fryer without thawing. The chicken when seasoned and cooked well comes out tender inside with crispy skin and it's flavorful and delicious. As long as you cook it to an internal temperature of 165F, it is safe to eat.
It is healthy and has lower calories compared to deep fried chicken. Only a little oil is used to cook it and the air fryer cooks it to a safe temperature to eat.
30-35 minutes if it's bone in chicken thighs and 20-25 minutes if it's boneless chicken thighs.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air fryer frozen chicken wings
Air fryer breaded chicken breast
Whole chicken wings in air fryer
Easy Air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks
I hope you like cooking frozen chicken thighs in air fryer as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.
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Recipe
Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 5-6 Frozen chicken thighs Bone in skin on
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Onion granules
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Remove the frozen chicken thighs from its packaging.
- Add the paprika, Italian seasoning, onion granules, garlic granules, salt, black pepper, and olive oil to a small bowl and mix till they are well combined.
- Apply the seasoning mix on the chicken thighs to cover all the sides.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer leaving space in between the chicken. Don't overlap or overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer at 400F/200C for 15 minutes, then bring out the air fryer, flip the chicken thighs, and continue to cook it for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through with no blood in the middle and the internal temperature has reached at least 165F/75C.
- Bring out the air fryer basket, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Season chicken with any good seasoning for a different taste every time. Some tasty ones I recommend are cajun, lemon pepper, Peri peri, and jerk seasoning.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange in a single layer and leave space in between the chicken thighs.
- Ensure the chicken are cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165F/75C.
- You can brush the chicken with sauces like bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, teriyaki, and any other.
- Let the chicken rest for some minutes before cutting. 3-5 minutes is a good time.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook.
My chicken was perfect! The seasoning was sooooo good! My husband and I loved it!
I'm glad you loved it. Thanks so much for the feedback 🙂