Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
Transform frozen boneless or bone-in chicken thighs into a mouthwatering protein with minimal effort using your air fryer or Ninja Foodi! These Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs can be served with a side salad, vegetables, or your favorite side dishes!
Can you cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer? Yes, the air fryer is an essential kitchen tool because it allows you to air fry frozen foods in no time! Whether its vegetables, appetizers, or meats like chicken and steak, the air fryer is the best way to cook without thawing or defrosting!
🍗Why The Air Fryer Is The Best Way To Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs
- Air fryers are super fast – they only take a fraction of the time to cook frozen chicken thighs, compared to an oven that takes much longer!
- The air fryer seals in all the juices and flavors of the chicken, which keeps it moist and full of flavor.
- Air fryers also produce crispier and crunchier skin than other cooking methods, which makes it perfect for those who love crispy chicken!
- They are very easy to use and require minimal preparation. All you need to do is place the frozen chicken thighs into the air fryer and let it work its magic!
🧂Ingredients and Tools
- Frozen Chicken Thighs – You can use boneless or bone-in chicken thighs. Both instructions are included below.
- Cooking Oil – A cooking oil such as olive, avocado, or ghee helps to crisp up the skin of the chicken.
- Seasonings – Seasoning is essential for flavor! Use a simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or grab some ideas below.
Tools
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi – An air fryer or Ninja Foodi is essential to making the chicken crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Heat Safe Tongs – You’ll need to flip the chicken halfway through cooking and remove it when it’s done. Tongs will help you do that without burning yourself.
📖How To Make Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
1️⃣Preheat the air fryer: Turn your air fryer to 350F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.
2️⃣Par cook the chicken thighs: Place your chicken thighs at the bottom of the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes to take the chill off so you can season them.
3️⃣Remove and season: Using tongs, remove from the air fryer and baste both sides with cooking oil. Then sprinkle the dried seasonings on both sides.
4️⃣Turn up the temperature: While you are seasoning the chicken thighs, turn your air fryer up to 400F.
5️⃣For Boneless Chicken Thighs: Place them back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Remove and ensure the internal temperature is 165F.
6️⃣For Bone-In Chicken Thighs: Place them back in the air fryer skin side DOWN and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. For extra crispy skin. Turn them right side up and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove and ensure the internal temperature is 165F.
7️⃣Rest and serve: Let your cooked air fryer chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
👩🍳Helpful Cooking Tips
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer for best results and even cooking.
- Cook in batches if you have a lot of frozen chicken thighs, as overcrowding will prevent them from cooking evenly and can cause uneven browning.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of your chicken thighs for food safety and ensure it is 165F or higher.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking, especially if you are using bone-in thighs, as this will help them cook evenly.
- Baste with oil before adding additional time to make them crispy.
🌿Seasoning Ideas
- Lemon Pepper: Combine 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Cajun: Combine 1 tablespoon paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- BBQ: Combine 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Garlic Herb: Combine 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon salt.
❄Storage
Storing: Once cooled, leftover air fryer chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat chicken thighs in the air fryer at 375F for 10 minutes or less.
🍗More Easy Recipes Using Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
- Heat Safe Tongs
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Chicken Thighs frozen (bone in or boneless)
- 2 tbsp Avocado Oil or olive oil
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Turn your air fryer to 350F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- Place your chicken thighs at the bottom of the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes to take the chill off so you can season them.
- Using tongs, remove from the air fryer and baste both sides with cooking oil. Then sprinkle the dried seasonings on both sides.
- While you are seasoning the chicken thighs, turn your air fryer up to 400F.
- For Boneless Chicken Thighs: Place them back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Remove and ensure the internal temperature is 165F.
- For Bone-In Chicken Thighs: Place them back in the air fryer skin side DOWN and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. For extra crispy skin. Turn them right side up and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove and ensure the internal temperature is 165F.
- Let your cooked air fryer chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
