Learn how to cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer with this easy and quick air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe that will give you perfectly cooked, moist, tender, and flavorful chicken.
Can you cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer? Yes, you can! Let me show you how to with this recipe that makes use of raw frozen chicken thighs with skin on and bone-in. It's so simple, quick, and taste so good just as if you've used fresh.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe
Easy air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe you will love! Air fried to perfection then brushed with bbq sauce to give tasty, sticky bbq chicken thighs.
I use this for when I forget to thaw chicken and let me tell you, it's magic! It's perfectly cooked at all times I've made it and I'll be sharing with you how to get the same result.
The chicken thighs are seasoned with a few dried herbs and spices, yet flavorful and tasty.
No need for marinating and unless you're told, you will not know it's cooked from frozen.
I used bbq sauce to glaze the chicken in the last 5 minutes of cooking time but you can use other sauces like peri peri sauce, buffalo sauce, honey soy, and others.
Ingredients
Chicken thighs - I have used frozen skin on, bone in thighs but you can use skinless, boneless chicken thighs too. Cooking time is listed for both.
Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion granules
Pepper
Olive oil
Salt
Bbq sauce - optional
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air fryer
Separate the thighs into individual pieces. If they are stuck together, run under water to deglaze and separate.
In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion granules, paprika, pepper, parsley, salt, and oil.
Brush the seasoning marinade all over the chicken thighs.
Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket with the skin side up. Arrange in a single file and not on top of each other.
Put the basket in the air fryer and air fry at a temperature of 170C for 18 minutes, bring out the basket, turn the chicken thighs then air fry for another 15 minutes.
Brush the chicken with bbq sauce, making sure you cover all parts then air fry at a temperature of 180C/360F for another 4 minutes to crisp the skin.
Put off the air fryer, bring the basket out, and let the chicken rest for 4 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air fryer
How long to cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer depends on the size of the chicken thighs, and the brand of air fryer you use. Temperature and cooking time varies slightly with the type of air fryer so you might have to adjust the recommended cooking time below:
For medium-sized bone in thighs, you should air fry at a temperature of 170C/ 340F for 30 -35 minutes.
For skinless boneless chicken thighs, air fry at a temperature of 170C/ 340F for 15-20 minutes.
Air frying at a low temperature ensures that it thaws and cook inside. Cooking at a high temperature might result in it being cooked and browned on the outside but uncooked on the inside.
For the chicken to be cooked and safe to eat, the juice in the chicken must run clear and there should be no blood around the bone.
It is also important that the internal temperature when checked with an instant thermometer should be over 165F/75C. Do not eat if the temperature is below stated as that might lead to food poisoning.
Serving Suggestions
Below are some recommendations of what to serve with chicken thighs:
Steamed vegetables
Rice
Mashed potatoes
How To Store
Let it cool completely, then pack in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container, then store in the fridge where it will keep for up to 4 days.
If you want to store it for longer then store it in the freezer where it will last for up to 6 months.
It can be reheated in the air fryer, or microwave from frozen or thawed.
To reheat from frozen in the microwave, put on a plate that is microwave safe, cover with a microwave dish cover then use the high settings of the microwave to warm it for 4 minutes or till warmed through.
To reheat in the air fryer, put the chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry at a temperature of 170C/ 340F for 4 minutes or till heated through.
Tips
- If the thighs are not in single pieces, run them underwater to separate them into individual pieces and pat dry before seasoning.
- If you are unable to separate them by doing the above, air fry for about 3 minutes at which point they should be easy to separate into individual pieces, rub with the seasoning mix and continue to air fry.
- Adjust the pepper quantity to how spicy you like your food.
- Remember to arrange the chicken in a single layer and not overcrowd the basket as overcrowding will lead to uneven cooking with some parts cooking better than the other.
- As air fryer brands vary with their temperature settings, you might have to adjust the temperature of your air fryer and it might also require you to cook for a lesser time or longer.
More Chicken Thighs recipes
Boneless chicken thighs in air fryer
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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 5 pieces Chicken thighs
- ½ tablespoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Onion granules
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon Parsley
- 1 5g Stock cube (crushed) Optional
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Bbq sauce
Instructions
- Separate the thighs into individual pieces. If they are stuck together, run under water to deglaze and separate.
- In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion granules, paprika, pepper, parsley, salt, and oil. Brush the seasoning marinade all over the chicken thighs.
- Arrange the thighs in the air fryer basket with the skin side up. Arrange in a single file and not on top of each other.
- Put the basket in the air fryer and air fry at a temperature of 170C/ 340F for 15 minutes, bring out the basket, turn the chicken thighs then air fry for another 15 minutes.
- Brush the chicken with bbq sauce, making sure you cover all parts then air fry at a temperature of 180C/360F for another 4 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Put off the air fryer, bring the basket out, and let the chicken rest for 4 minutes. Serve and enjoy
Notes
- If the thighs are not in single pieces, run them underwater to separate them into individual pieces and pat dry before seasoning.
- If you are unable to separate them by doing the above, you can air fry for about 3 minutes at which point they should be easy to separate into individual pieces, rub with the seasoning mix and continue to air fry.
- Adjust the pepper quantity to how spicy you like your food.
- Remember to arrange the chicken in a single layer and not over crowd the basket as overcrowding will lead to uneven cooking with some parts cooking better than the other.
- As air fryer brands vary with their temperature settings, you might have to adjust the temperature of your air fryer and it might also require you to cook for a lesser time or longer.
This recipe is so great. My chicken thighs was delicious. I have this recipe saved. Thank you for sharing
I'm glad to read this. Thanks so much for the feedback.
How long and at what temperature if the thighs aren’t frozen? We like to brine the chicken prior to cooking.
200C/400F for 20-25 minutes depending on the size.
Haven’t tried it yet but looks wonderful thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to try it
Thank you 🙂