Learn how to air fry frozen chicken thighs! You’ll love using the air fryer as a quick way to defrost and cook frozen chicken. This air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe has a simple BBQ seasoning and crispy skin. It makes a great protein-packed main dish for family dinners, and is keto, low carb, and gluten free. Use the principles you learn here to make frozen chicken breast in the air fryer as well! Show
 Sometimes I’ll spring for a big pack of chicken thighs or chicken breasts at a bulk store like Costco. Since I have a small family, anything more than a pound or so of chicken ends up in the freezer. The issue then becomes remembering to thaw chicken well before dinnertime. Well, that problem is a thing of the past after I learned how to cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer. That’s right folks, you don’t have to thaw chicken before air frying. I’m going to show you how to cook bone in skin on chicken thighs in the air fryer. However, you could also air fry frozen chicken breast and frozen chicken tenderloins. Smaller pieces of chicken and chicken without skin and bones will simply take less time. Do you like free things? Get new recipe ideas weekly, our 5-Day Air Fryer Quick Start Guide, and more totally FREE exclusive goodies! You're getting time and temperature estimates below to air fry all of your favorite types of frozen chicken. We’re going to be getting a homecooked meal done and on the table fast tonight! Jump to:
📋 Calories, Net Carbs, ProteinOne serving of Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (bone in, skin on) has375 calories, 0 grams net carbs, and 28.5 grams protein. This nutrition information is for a 6-ounce chicken thigh and will vary depending on the size of your portion. Sodium content will also vary, depending on the brand of BBQ seasoning you use. ⭐ BenefitsWhy make frozen raw chicken thighs in an air fryer? Here are a few of the benefits of this air fried chicken:
🥘 IngredientsTo make frozen chicken in the air fryer, you need:
I used four chicken thighs that were 6 ounces (170 grams) each for this recipe. That is 1.5 lbs. (680 grams) of chicken thighs in all. The size of the chicken thighs you use will impact the cooking time. Try to use chicken pieces with a similar size, weight, and thickness. You also want to use pieces that are uniformly thick for more even cooking. (Sometimes chicken breasts and thighs are thin along the edges and thicker in the middle.) For chicken that is extra tender and juicy, I highly recommend keeping the skin on your chicken. The skin provides a protective barrier to help keep the chicken from drying out while it air fries. (Plus, it just tastes good!) I usually use and avocado oil cooking spray. Feel free to use olive oil cooking spray or your preferred type. I’ve heard reports that aerosol cooking sprays can damage air fryer baskets, so I would stay away from that type. 🍽 EquipmentYou need three things for this frozen chicken thigh recipe:
The meat thermometer is the best way to make sure your chicken was cooked properly. I would not try to guess whether your chicken is done based on appearance alone. My air fryer recipes are developed using a 10-Quart Kalorik Digital Air Fryer Oven. It has two trays, but we only need one for this recipe. If your air fryer basket is very small, you may only be able to cook 1-2 pieces of chicken at a time. You can air fry frozen chicken with your Ninja Foodi, Cosori, Philips, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Power Air Fryer, or other air fryer. However, air frying times may vary a bit between air fryer brands. Always keep a close eye on the food the first time you try a new air fryer recipe. 🔪 How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken ThighsPreheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190C) for 5 minutes. Mix the barbecue seasoning and baking powder together in a small bowl. Set the seasoning aside. Put your chicken (skin side up) on a hot tray. It’s OK if the pieces are stuck together initially, you just don’t want them stacked on each other. Spray the top of the chicken with cooking oil spray. Put the tray with the chicken in the top rack position if you have an air fryer oven. Some say that some water or bread in the drip pan can help stop the air fryer from smoking while cooking greasy foods. I’ve never had this issue, but it’s worth mentioning. ️⏲ Cooking Time and TemperatureHow long to air fry frozen chicken? What temp to cook frozen chicken in air fryer? Air fry frozen chicken thighs for a total of 30 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190C). Start by air frying for 5 minutes to defrost the chicken. Then remove the chicken from the air fryer and separate the pieces (if they were frozen together). Flip the chicken over so it is skin side down. Be sure to keep the chicken in a single layer for even cooking. Air fry for 10 minutes at 375F/190C (top rack). Take the chicken out of the air fryer and pat away moisture with paper towels. Flip the chicken so it’s skin side up. Blot the skin with paper towels and spray the skin with cooking oil spray. Sprinkle the chicken skin with the BBQ seasoning and baking powder mixture. Air fry the chicken for 15 minutes at 375F/190C (top rack for air fryer ovens). Check the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reached the minimum safe internal temp of 165F (74C). You may need to extend the cooking time if it’s not at a safe temperature. Smaller chicken thighs and boneless chicken thighs will take less time to cook. Let the air fried chicken thighs rest for 5-10 minutes before enjoying. 🍗 Fresh and Frozen Chicken Time and Temp ChartHere’s an air fryer time and temperature chart for various types of chicken. Please remember that these are estimates that may need to be adjusted for your air fryer:
🌡️ LeftoversRemove the skin and bones from your leftover cooked chicken. You can store the cooked poultry in the fridge in a food safe container or in the freezer. If storing in the freezer, use a vacuum sealed bag or freezer bags with the air pressed out. Use your leftover chicken in salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stir fry, chicken salad sandwiches, pasta... It’s a wonderful way to add lean protein to just about anything! 🧂️️ SeasoningsWhat are some good seasonings for chicken? If you don’t like my suggestion to use BBQ seasoning, no worries. Here are some other herbs and spices you can use on chicken:
🥗 Side DishesWhat to serve with air fryer frozen chicken? Chicken goes with pretty much everything! Here are a few side dishes for chicken you might enjoy:
💭 Expert Tips from a DietitianThis is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). The nutrition information for this recipe is likely an overestimate that doesn’t account for cooking losses. That said, skin on chicken thighs are not the leanest chicken option to be found. You can lower the fat and calories of this entrée by using chicken breasts rather than chicken thighs. If you are on Weight Watchers (WW) or otherwise need a lower calorie option, you can also remove the skin. I don’t usually see bone in, skinless chicken thighs sold in the stores around here. You may have to get boneless chicken thighs if you want them without skin. That will alter the cooking times (refer to the cooking time chart I provided above). When I get chicken thighs, I usually feel like getting them with the skin is worth it. The bit of seasoned crispy chicken skin might just be my favorite part! Plus (as mentioned earlier) the skin helps keep the chicken from drying out during air frying. If you prefer chicken with the skin, remember that a single food choice won’t make or break you meeting your health goals. It’s what you’re doing consistently (with diet, physical activity, sleep, etc.) that matters most. You can take this main dish and make it a low-calorie meal by adding lots of low-oil non-starchy veggies on the side. Alternatively, pile on the starchy carbs (rice, potatoes, bread, etc.) if you need a higher energy meal. I like the diabetes plate (¼ protein, ¼ starches, ½ non-starchy veggies) as a general healthy eating guide. FAQsShould you rinse chicken before cooking? No, you should not rinse raw chicken before cooking. According to the NHS, doing so can spread harmful bacteria, increasing your risk of food poisoning. If you want to get moisture off raw chicken, pat it dry with paper towels that will be discarded. Can you air fry frozen skinless chicken thighs? You can cook frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer as well. Try cooking them in an air fryer preheated to 375F/190C for 25-28 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking time, and ensure they’ve reached the minimum safe temp of 165F/74C after cooking. How do you cook frozen chicken thighs in a microwave? According to the USDA, you should not cook chicken from frozen in the microwave. That’s perhaps for the best, since your chicken skin will not crisp up with microwave cooking. How long can I let raw and frozen chicken thaw out on the counter? According to the USDA, you should never leave poultry in the food safety danger zone (40-140F/4-60C) for more than 2 hours. Chicken can be thawed in the fridge, in cold water, and in the microwave. Don’t leave frozen chicken out to thaw at room temperature. Can you cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot? The USDA says you should not cook frozen chicken in an Instant Pot or Crock Pot using the slow cooker setting. You can pressure cook frozen chicken as long as it reaches a safe internal temp of 165F/74C. You also want to ensure the chicken isn’t in the food safety danger zone (40-140F/4-60C) for more than 2 hours. 🔥 How to oven bake frozen chicken?Here’s a cooking times and temps chart for oven baked frozen chicken thighs. Remember to check and make sure they reach a safe temp of 165F/74C after cooking. (Convection ovens can follow the air fryer recipe directions, with adjustments as needed.)
👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Frozen Chicken RecipesWant more recipes for cooking frozen chicken in the air fryer? Here are a few options for you:
Join our community! Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter to be kept up-to-date on all of the latest and greatest recipes! You can also follow me on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! The Disclaimer…All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you. The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much. For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking! Leave a rating by clicking the ⭐ below! Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe (Crispy Skin!)This air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe has BBQ seasoning and crispy skin. The air fryer is a fast way to defrost and cook frozen chicken! Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 30 mins Course Dinner Cuisine American Servings 4 Calories 375 kcal
Save this Recipe This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). The nutrition information for this recipe is likely an overestimate that doesn’t account for cooking losses. That said, skin on chicken thighs are not the leanest chicken option to be found. You can lower the fat and calories of this entrée by using chicken breasts rather than chicken thighs. If you are on Weight Watchers (WW) or otherwise need a lower calorie option, you can also remove the skin. I don’t usually see bone in, skinless chicken thighs sold in the stores around here. You may have to get boneless chicken thighs if you want them without skin. That will alter the cooking times (refer to the cooking time chart I provided above). When I get chicken thighs, I usually feel like getting them with the skin is worth it. The bit of seasoned crispy chicken skin might just be my favorite part! Plus (as mentioned earlier) the skin helps keep the chicken from drying out during air frying. If you prefer chicken with the skin, remember that a single food choice won’t make or break you meeting your health goals. It’s what you’re doing consistently (with diet, physical activity, sleep, etc.) that matters most. You can take this chicken and make it a low-calorie meal by adding lots of low-oil non-starchy veggies on the side. Alternatively, pile on the starchy carbs (rice, potatoes, bread, etc.) if you need a higher energy meal. I like the diabetes plate (¼ protein, ¼ starches, ½ non-starchy veggies) as a general healthy eating guide. Nutrition information is for one serving. This nutrition information is for a 6-ounce chicken thigh and will vary depending on the size of your portion. Sodium content will also vary, depending on the brand of BBQ seasoning you use. Calories: 375kcalProtein: 28.5gFat: 28.5gSaturated Fat: 7.5gPotassium: 345mgCalcium: 1.2% DVIron: 6.7% DV Keywords air fried frozen chicken, air fried frozen chicken thighs, air fry frozen chicken thighs, air fryer frozen chicken, air fryer frozen chicken thighs, best way to cook frozen chicken thighs, frozen chicken air fryer, frozen chicken in air fryer, frozen chicken thighs air fryer, frozen chicken thighs in air fryer Is it OK to bake frozen chicken thighs?Yes! According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), you can cook chicken from frozen. Either whole chicken, thighs, or breast, you can cook frozen chicken in the oven or on the stove.
How long does it take to cook frozen chicken thighs at 425?Frozen chicken thighs may take longer to cook than conventional chicken thighs. It will take around 30-40 minutes to perfectly cook frozen chicken thighs in the oven at 425 degrees. A meat thermometer may also be used to verify the doneness of chicken thighs.
How long do chicken thighs take from frozen?If using frozen chicken, the frozen bone-in thighs will take around 45 to 55 minutes to cook fully and frozen boneless thighs will take around 30 to 35 minutes.
Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400?The higher the temperature when baking chicken thighs creates that golden brown outer skin that protects the dark meat from over cooking and tenderizes the inside making it even more flavorful and tender. I like to bake chicken thighs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes long.
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How long does it take to bake frozen chicken thighs
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