Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs: From Frozen To Crispy

Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, crispy result without the grease of deep frying. This guide will show you how to make juicy, tender chicken thighs straight from frozen in your air fryer.

How to make frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer without defrosting

Ingredients

• Frozen chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, thyme)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 380–400°F (190–200°C).
• Remove the frozen chicken thighs from their packaging.
• Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and toss with olive oil or cooking spray, coating each piece.
• Add your chosen seasonings to the bowl and toss again until the chicken is coated on both sides.
• Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked, touching, or overlapping.
• Air fry the chicken at 380–400°F (190–200°C) for 20–30 minutes, turning the chicken thighs halfway through. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Once they are done, let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes in the air fryer to allow the juices to settle.

Tips:

• You can change the flavour profile by using different herbs and spices. Try a dry rub or add chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• For a savory flavour, add rosemary, oregano, thyme, or lemon pepper seasoning.
• Toss the cooked chicken with sauces like BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or buffalo sauce.
• If using boneless and skinless chicken thighs, you may need to reduce the cooking time.
• Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How to make juicy frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Meat thermometer

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 395°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
• Place the frozen chicken thighs, skin-side down, in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping.
• Combine 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil with the paprika, onion/garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
• After 10 minutes, flip the chicken thighs and coat the skin with the spice/oil mix.
• Place the chicken back into the air fryer for 15-18 minutes at 360°F (180°C).
• Check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C). If not, continue cooking until it reaches this temperature.
• Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If your chicken thighs are frozen together in a block, run them under water to separate them before placing them in the air fryer.
• You can use different seasonings and spices to suit your taste.
• For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature of the air fryer to 190°C/380°F for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking.

How to make crispy frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 4 frozen chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (leave out if you don't like heat)
• 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer
• Kitchen tongs
• Bowl
• Instant-read thermometer

Method

• Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 395°F (200°C).
• Place the frozen chicken thighs, skin facing down, in the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren't touching.
• Combine the oil, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt and pepper in a bowl.
• After 10 minutes, flip the chicken with tongs so the skin is facing up. Coat the skin with the spice/oil mix, then place back into the air fryer for 15-18 minutes at 360°F (180°C).
• Check the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C). For extra flavour, you can use the juices in the bottom of the air fryer basket to baste the skin when there's 10 minutes left.
• If the skin is not as crispy as you would like, increase the temperature of the air fryer to 190°C/380°F for another 3-5 minutes.

Tips

• If your chicken thighs are frozen together, run them under water to separate them before cooking.
• Make sure there is space between the thighs in the air fryer for good air circulation.
• The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs.

How to make frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer using different seasonings

Step 1: Prepare the chicken thighs

Take the desired number of frozen chicken thighs out of the freezer. If they are frozen together, run them under some water to separate them. Place them on a sheet tray or directly on your cutting board.

Step 2: Season the chicken thighs

You can use any seasoning you like. A basic spice blend could include onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. You can spritz the chicken with a little oil, or water, to help the seasoning stick. Make sure to season both sides.

Step 3: Prepare the air fryer

Add 1 cup of very hot water to the base of your air fryer. This will create steam, helping to thaw the chicken and prevent it from drying out.

Step 4: Air fry the chicken thighs

Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket or rack. Set the temperature to 400°F/200°C and the time for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip the chicken and reduce the temperature to 325°F/160°C. Set the time for another 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Check the internal temperature

After 10 minutes at the reduced temperature, check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be at least 160°F/71°C. If it is, you can remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. If it isn't, continue cooking and checking the temperature every 5 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature.

Tips:

• You can use any type of frozen chicken thighs, but the cooking time and temperature may vary.
• Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs tend to be cheaper and more flavorful, but boneless, skinless thighs are lower in fat and cook a little faster.
• You can use any type of oil for spritzing, such as avocado oil or olive oil.
• Different brands of air fryers may cook differently, so adjust the temperature and time accordingly.
• You can pair the chicken thighs with sides such as parmesan orzo, sauteed cabbage, or creamy pasta salad.

Example seasonings:

• Salt and pepper as a base, with a little oil spray to help get the skin nice and crispy.
• A blend of onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper.
• A blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
• BBQ sauce, applied in the last 5 minutes of cooking with the air fryer's highest setting.
• A blend of onion granules, garlic granules, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and oregano.

How to make frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer with a marinade

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on)
• Spices/seasoning of your choice (e.g. onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, etc.)
• Oil (e.g. avocado oil, olive oil, cooking spray)
• Meat thermometer
• Lemon (optional)

Method

• Take your frozen chicken thighs out of the freezer and place them on a sheet tray or a cutting board.
• Prepare your chosen marinade by mixing your selected spices and herbs with oil in a bowl.
• Spritz or brush the frozen chicken thighs with a little oil. This will help the marinade stick to the chicken.
• Generously apply your marinade to the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.
• If you have time, you can place the marinated chicken thighs in the fridge for a few hours to really enhance the flavour.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F/190-200°C for 3-5 minutes.
• Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching.
• Cook the chicken thighs for 10-15 minutes at 360°F/180°C.
• After 10 minutes, flip the chicken thighs and cook for a further 15-18 minutes at the same temperature.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs with a meat thermometer. They are safely cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
• If desired, increase the temperature of the air fryer to 190°C/380°F for an additional 3-5 minutes to make the skin extra crispy.
• Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• If your chicken thighs are frozen together in a block, run them under cool water to separate them before marinating.
• You can use fresh or defrosted chicken thighs for this recipe, but you may need to reduce the cooking time.
• Different brands of air fryers may vary in terms of cooking temperature and time, so adjust accordingly.
• Always ensure your chicken thighs are thoroughly cooked before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and juicy air-fried chicken thighs!

Frequently asked questions