Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe

3 Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs on a grey plate surrounded by a white cloth.

5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe

Ready in just 30 minutes, this Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs recipe is so juicy with the crispiest skin. This delicious meal is an easy way to get a healthy dinner full of great flavor on the table quickly. Perfect for meal prep!

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Course: Air Fryer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer, chicken thighs, easy dinner, healthy, keto, low carb, meal prep, paleo, protein, quick dinner, whole30

Servings: servings

Calories: 285kcal

Author: Bethany Galloway

Ingredients

4 frozen chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on (see note 1 for boneless)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sweet paprika or smoky
1/2 teaspoon chili powder optional

Instructions

Begin by preheating the air fryer to 180 degrees C/356 degrees F.
While the air fryer is preheating, spray or brush the frozen bone-in skin-on thighs with oil.
In a small bowl, mix the seasonings together and sprinkle the chicken pieces with the seasoning, making sure all sides are coated evenly. Alternatively, you can add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the seasonings into a Ziploc bag and massage the oil and seasonings into the chicken thighs.
When the air fryer is ready, place chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry chicken thighs for 13 minutes, flip the thighs over (for even cooking), and cook them for another 13 minutes. Add on extra time if needed.
Check the crispy chicken thighs are cooked properly by testing the internal temperature of the chicken. The easiest way to do this is by using an instant meat thermometer. Insert the instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh. When it reaches 74°C/165°F, it's ready to take out and rest. If it's not quite there, add on 2-3 minutes at a time until it reaches the right temperature.
For best results, allow the Chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in all of the juices.

Notes

Boneless thighs: If you'd like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs, they work really well with this simple recipe. Cook the chicken thighs for 10 minutes per side and check the internal temperature. Cook for a little longer if needed, rest, and enjoy!
Frozen thighs are stuck together: If your chicken thighs are stuck together, you'll need to let them thaw for 10 minutes until you can break them apart. Another option is to run them under cold water when they're in their packaging or a Ziploc bag. This will melt the ice enough to separate the chicken pieces without thawing. It's important to keep the chicken in the packaging or a ziplock when running water over them because running straight onto the chicken may spread harmful bacteria in your kitchen sink.
Cook time: The cooking time will vary between the size of the chicken thighs and your air fryer brand. These instructions are a guide. When you flip the chicken over halfway through, see how they are cooking. If they seem to be cooking quickly, cook them for another 10 minutes and check them again.

Storage Instructions

Store: Any leftover thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: The best way to reheat leftover chicken thighs is in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes, until they are heated through and the skin is crispy again. You can also reheat them in the microwave (the skin will be soggy) or in an oven. Be sure to check out my post on How to Reheat Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer for all the tips and tricks!
Freeze: Chicken thighs are great to cook and freeze for later. They freeze really well for up to 3 months in a freezer bag. Thaw before reheating them in the air fryer as above.

Nutrition