Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Frozen To Crispy In Minutes

Cooking frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, tender, and juicy meal. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs, as well as whether they are boneless or bone-in. On average, chicken thighs will take between 20 and 30 minutes to cook in an air fryer, but this can be longer for bigger thighs.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer will depend on several factors, including the type of chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skinless or skin-on), the size and thickness of the thighs, and the brand and model of your air fryer.

For boneless, skinless chicken thighs, the cooking time will be shorter than for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. In general, boneless, skinless chicken thighs will take around 18 minutes to cook in an air fryer preheated to 400°F (200°C).

For bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, the cooking time will be longer, ranging from 20 to 30 minutes, or even up to 40 minutes for larger thighs. The temperature setting can vary, with some recipes recommending 360°F (180°C) or 375°F (190°C) while others suggest starting at a higher temperature of 400°F (200°C) and then reducing to 325°F (160°C) halfway through the cooking time.

It is important to ensure that the chicken thighs are cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This can be checked using an instant-read meat thermometer. If the chicken thighs are not fully cooked, they can be returned to the air fryer for a few more minutes until they reach the desired temperature.

Some recipes also suggest preheating the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the chicken thighs. Additionally, it is recommended to leave some space between the thighs in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.

Chicken preparation

Step 1: Get your ingredients ready

Gather your chicken thighs, seasonings, and oil. You can use frozen or thawed chicken thighs, but note that frozen chicken may require a slightly longer cooking time. If your chicken thighs are frozen together, run them under cool water to separate them into individual pieces.

Step 2: Prepare your chicken thighs

Place your chicken thighs on a sheet tray or a cutting board. If desired, you can spritz or brush them with a little oil to help the seasonings stick. This step is especially useful if you're using frozen chicken thighs.

Step 3: Season your chicken thighs

Now, it's time to add your favourite seasonings! You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, or dried herbs. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect flavour combination.

Step 4: Preheat your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating to around 375°F/190°C, but you may need to adjust this slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size/thickness of your chicken thighs.

Step 5: Cook your chicken thighs

Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Set the timer and temperature according to your chosen recipe, and let the air fryer work its magic!

Step 6: Flip and cook again

Depending on your recipe, you may need to flip your chicken thighs halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. After flipping, return the air fryer basket to the air fryer and continue cooking until the chicken is done.

Step 7: Check for doneness

To ensure your chicken thighs are fully cooked, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. If the chicken hasn't reached this temperature, return it to the air fryer and cook in short intervals until it's done.

Step 8: Rest and serve

Once your chicken thighs are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicy, tender meat. Enjoy your delicious air-fried chicken thighs!

Air fryer preparation

Next, season your chicken. You can use any combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and dried herbs. If you want your seasoning to stick, spritz or brush the chicken with a little oil. You can also spritz with water if you don't want to use oil.

Now, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to between 375F/190C and 400F/200C. However, one source says there is no need to preheat the air fryer.

Once preheated, place your chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. If you are using an oven-style air fryer, you can put a dish on the bottom rack and add hot water to create steam, which will help thaw the chicken.

Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken thighs. Most sources recommend cooking for around 20-30 minutes at 180C/360F, flipping the chicken halfway through. However, one source suggests cooking for 12 minutes at 400C/375F, and another recommends cooking for 15 minutes at 400F/200C, then reducing the temperature to 325F/160C for 10-15 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165F/74C when it is fully cooked.

If you want your chicken skin crispy, you can increase the temperature of the air fryer to 190C/380F for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking.

Finally, allow your chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking process

The cooking process for frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer is straightforward and can be completed in under 30 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Thighs

If your chicken thighs are frozen together in a block, start by running them under cool water to separate them into individual pieces. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step ensures that the chicken skin crisps up nicely during cooking.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place the frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up. Spray or brush the chicken with a small amount of cooking oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil. This helps the seasonings stick to the chicken and adds flavour.

For seasoning, you can use a simple blend of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning. You can also use a premade spice blend.

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken Thighs

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 360°F (180°C) and 400°F (200°C). The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for even cooking. Set the timer for 10-15 minutes for the first round of cooking.

Step 4: Flip and Continue Cooking

After the initial cooking time, use tongs to flip the chicken thighs. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides. For the second round of cooking, set the timer for another 10-15 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your chicken thighs.

Step 5: Check Doneness

The chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should also run clear when the chicken is cooked through.

Step 6: Optional Extra Crisping

If you prefer your chicken skin even crispier, you can increase the air fryer temperature to 380°F-400°F (190°C-200°C) for an additional 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on the chicken during this step to avoid overcooking.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicy, tender meat.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover cooked chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, microwave in short intervals until warmed through, or place in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes from the fridge or 5-6 minutes from frozen.

Serving suggestions

Now that you've cooked your frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer, it's time to think about serving. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Side Dishes

You can serve your chicken with a variety of side dishes. Some suggestions include:

• Roasted vegetables—try broccoli, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or green beans
• Mashed potatoes
• Salad—a big green salad or a quinoa salad
• Pasta—creamy pasta salad or Air Fryer Chicken Milanese
• Soup—try a healthy soup like Creamy Parsnip Soup, Easy Carrot and Coriander Soup, or Easy Bacon and Lentil Soup
• Baked potato

Sauces

You could also serve your chicken with a sauce. BBQ sauce is a classic option, but you could also try something like eel sauce, katsu sauce, or bulgogi sauce for an Asian twist.

Other Meats

If you want to make a meat-focused meal, you could pair your chicken thighs with some air fryer frozen steak or air fryer chicken drumsticks.

Other Foods

If you want to keep things casual, you could serve your chicken with some air fryer frozen green beans. Or, for a more indulgent option, try air fryer coconut shrimp or air fryer fried mushrooms.

Frequently asked questions