Make crispy frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer! Just season and pop them in, set the time and temperature, and you're good to go. No fuss, no fancy stuff. Get delicious chicken thighs in around 30 minutes.
These juicy frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer are a time-saving, flavor-packed solution for those busy weeknights! Serve this easy dinner with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, buttered rice, garlic butter noodles, or any other sides you love.
Cooking frozen chicken thighs becomes a breeze in the air fryer, especially if they are individually frozen. It takes about 5 minutes to season and prep the thighs; there is no need for partial cooking or seasoning halfway through.
It's an easy air fryer recipe that makes dinner a delight, a great main dish that your whole family will enjoy! Check out more Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners.
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Why will you love cooking frozen thighs in the air fryer?
- Convenient and simple recipe: No need to defrost – just place the frozen chicken in the basket, set the time and temperature, and let it cook.
- Even and fast cooking: Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, ensuring even cooking and crispy skin while keeping the inside juicy. And all that in about 30 minutes.
- Versatile: You can use the cooked thighs for various other dishes.
- Less mess: With contained cooking, there's less splatter and mess compared to stovetop frying. Try cooking Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenderloins; it goes even faster.
Check out some alternative methods for cooking frozen thighs: Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Oven or Frozen Thighs in the Instant Pot. Or check out more air fryer chicken recipes: Air Fryer Panko Chicken or Air Fryer Chicken Legs.
Recipe ingredients
Bone-in, skin-on frozen chicken thighs that have been frozen individually.
- Even if your frozen thighs are stuck together or intentionally frozen as a block, you can still cook them using this kitchen appliance. Just remember, the cooking time will be a tad longer, and you'll need to separate the thighs after they've started to defrost a bit in the air fryer.
Vegetable or olive oil: It will help the spices stick to the chicken pieces and also help to make them nice and crispy.
Spices: You can use any spices or rubs you like. For convenience, I use a good-quality store-bought chicken seasoning mixture (about 3 teaspoons). If using a commercial rub or seasoning mixture, check out if they also contain salt and adjust the amount of salt you use accordingly.
Alternative seasoning
Our dry rub for chicken wings. Or check out Baked Chicken Drumsticks for more ideas.
Other ideas: Lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun seasoning, all-purpose or Italian seasoning, any other favorite mix, or dry rub for chicken.
Spice mixtures:
- ½ teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon black pepper + 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder (whichever mixture you like)
- ½ teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon pepper + ¾ teaspoon ground cumin + ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon pepper + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon sweet paprika + ½ teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
Tools
- Air Fryer (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab)
- Instant-read thermometer (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab)
- Tongs (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab)
How to cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer?
- Preheat: My machine needs 3 minutes, but check your machine’s instructions. In the meantime, prepare the meat.
- Prepare the bone-in thighs: Place them in a large bowl. If they seem wet or have ice crystals on them, pat them dry with paper towels. If not, you’re good to go. Pour the oil on top and rub the thighs thoroughly with it. Sprinkle the seasoning mix all over and rub the thigh again (1).
- Air fry: Place the parts in the air fryer’s basket, skin side down (2). Cook for 12 minutes.
- Flip and cook for another 12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (3).
- Check: The best way to do that is with an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature of the crispy air fryer chicken thighs should be 165°F/ 74°C. If they are not quite there yet, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, then check again.
- If desired for extra flavor, brush the parts with BBQ sauce or another favorite sauce during the last 3-5 minutes of cooking time.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How long should I cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer?
- The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken thighs; generally, it will take between 22 and 30 minutes.
- The thighs I use weighed around 8 oz/ 230 g and needed about 25 minutes. If those you have are smaller, check after 20 minutes already. If they are larger, allow them more time in the machine.
Expert Tips
Pat dry: If the frozen chicken thighs have excess ice crystals, pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This helps prevent excess moisture during cooking.
Don't overcrowd the basket. Give the parts space for proper air circulation.
Separate stuck thighs: If the chicken thighs are stuck together, defrost them slightly in the air fryer and separate them to ensure even cooking.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, as this ensures even cooking. If they're stuck, you can defrost them a bit in the air fryer and then separate them.
Cook them for about 5 minutes (or until you can separate them) without oil and seasoning. Carefully separate them, then brush them with oil and sprinkle them with the spices on both sides. Cook them as instructed, but remember that they will need a bit longer.
Sure. Check out Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Frozen Drumsticks, and Frozen Wings in the Air Fryer.
For boneless chicken thighs, adjust the cooking time accordingly; they will be ready sooner. Check doneness with the thermometer (165°F/74°C).
Refrigerate in an airtight container for about 3 days.
Freeze the leftovers in an airtight container or a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator.
Reheat in the preheated air fryer at 350°F/ 180°C for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
How to serve?
More frozen food
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
- How to Cook Frozen Corn (on the Cob and Kernels)
- Roasted Frozen Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef
- Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
- Air Fryer Frozen Potato Wedges
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Recipe
Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air fryer (link opens in a new tab)
- Instant-read thermometer (link opens in a new tab)
- Tongs (link opens in a new tab)
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on frozen chicken thighs Notes 1, 2,3
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 teaspoons chicken seasoning Notes 4, 5
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F/ 190°C; mine needs 3 minutes, but check your machine’s instructions. In the meantime, prepare the chicken thighs.
- Prepare chicken thighs: Place them in a large bowl. If they seem wet or have ice crystals on them, pat them dry with paper towels. If not, you’re good to go. Pour the oil on top and rub the thighs thoroughly with it. Sprinkle with the seasoning and rub them again.
- Air fry: Place them in the air fryer’s basket, skin-side down; they should lie in a single layer. Cook for 12 minutes.
- Flip and cook for another 12 minutes (Note 6).
- Check if they are cooked through. The internal temperature measured with an instant-read thermometer should be 165°F/ 74°C (the Amazon link opens in a new tab). If they are not done, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, then check again. If desired, brush the parts with BBQ sauce or another favorite sauce and air fry the thighs for another 2-3 minutes.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Chicken thighs: You can also cook 6 as long as they fit in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Boneless, skinless frozen chicken thighs will need less cooking time; check after about 20 minutes already.
- If frozen in a block, you can defrost them a bit in the air fryer and then separate them. Cook them for about 5 minutes (or until you can separate them) without oil and seasoning. Carefully separate them, then brush them with oil and sprinkle them with the spices on both sides. Cook them as instructed, but remember that they will need a bit longer.
- Seasoning: Your favorite store-bought chicken seasoning or dry rub. Alternatively, use all-purpose seasoning, our homemade seasoning for chicken, or any spices you like (check the blog post for more ideas). Just salt and pepper will also work.
- Salt: If using a store-bought seasoning mixture, check if it contains salt. If it does (like mine does), skip the salt. If it doesn’t, add ½ teaspoon fine sea salt to the seasoning mixture.
- The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken thighs. Generally, it will take between 22 and 30 minutes. The thighs I use weighed around 8 oz/ 230 g and needed about 25 minutes. If those you have are smaller, check after 20 minutes already. If they are larger, allow them more time in the machine.
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