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Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer  

Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer  

Published on May 8, 2022 by Bintu. Leave a Comment

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If you love juicy chicken and crispy chicken skin, but think you are too busy to cook, you need to learn how to make frozen chicken thighs in air fryer. This simple air fryer method goes from freezer to table in about 30 minutes so you can enjoy an easy and delicious way to cook frozen chicken thighs. 

Suitable for Low Carb, Keto, Whole30, Paleo, and Gluten Free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

the completed frozen chicken thighs in air fryer recipe

Air fryer frozen chicken thighs are perfect for those busy nights when you forgot to get the meat out of the freezer. Dinner isn’t a lost cause, because you can cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer in under 30 minutes. 

That’s right, it’s easy to transform frozen chicken thighs into an incredible and easy dinner in just a few minutes. Air fryer chicken thighs are juicy and crispy plus they are also gluten-free and low carb.

Diet-friendly, budget-friendly, and delicious; you simply can’t beat this dinner-saving air fryer frozen chicken thighs recipe!

Why Make This Recipe

  • Diet-friendly – Frozen chicken thighs in air fryer are perfect for gluten free and low carb diets. Just be sure to check your BBQ sauce for hidden sugar and other ingredients before slathering it on. 
  • A Dinner Saver – We’ve all forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer but it’s so easy to cook frozen chicken thighs with this air fryer recipe. Dinner is saved!
  • Budget-Friendly – Chicken thighs are much more affordable than chicken breasts and they are so tasty. Frozen chicken thighs can be stored for several months for easy weeknight dinners. 
  • Fast – Air frying chicken thighs lets you go from freezer to table in under 30 minutes. 

Ingredient Notes

  • Frozen Chicken Thighs – Select bone in skin on frozen chicken thighs that are similar in size. 
  • BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite BBQ sauce. Be sure to check labels for sugar content and gluten, depending on your diet. 

How To Make Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
  2. Use olive oil spray to lightly coat the air fryer basket. 
  3. Place the frozen chicken thighs into the air fryer basket and cook for about 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the frozen chicken thighs.
  4. Brush chicken with BBQ sauce and air fry for 2 additional minutes.
  5. Allow the chicken to rest for several minutes before serving.

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.

image collage showing the steps for making frozen chicken thighs in air fryer

Tips For Success

  • Always check labels when eating a low sugar or gluten free diet. You will only be using a small amount of BBQ sauce, but it can have some hidden ingredients. 
  • If your frozen chicken thighs are clumped together you will need to run them under cold water for a few minutes. This will help the frozen chicken thighs to separate.
  • You do not need to defrost the frozen chicken thighs. Simply separate them.
  • Air fryer cooking times should be used as a guide. Adjust cooking times as needed depending on the size of your frozen chicken thighs. Smaller chicken thighs may cook a bit faster but larger frozen chicken thighs may need to air fry for 30 minutes or more. 
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil before adding the chicken thighs.
  • It is important to leave space between the chicken thighs so hot air can circulate all around the chicken.
  • To make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, you will likely need to air fry frozen chicken thighs in batches. 
  • Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
  • Cook frozen chicken thighs to the appropriate temperature, then brush the chicken thighs with your favorite BBQ sauce and air fryer for a few minutes to set the sauce. 
  • Boneless chicken thighs will cook faster so you will need to adjust the time accordingly if cooking boneless chicken thighs.

Variations

  • Season Before Freezing – When packaging your chicken thighs to be frozen, season them and flash freeze before adding to a freezer bag. The frozen chicken thighs will not clump together and they will be perfectly seasoned after air frying.
  • Swap the Sauce – Instead of using BBQ sauce, you can brush the chicken with a thin layer of olive oil and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, salt and pepper, or your favorite seasoning blend. You can also substitute the BBQ sauce with other sauces and marinades in this frozen chicken thighs recipe.
the finished frozen chicken thighs in air fryer

Budget-Friendly Tips 

  • Buy Chicken In Bulk – Stock up on chicken thighs in bulk or when it’s on sale. Chicken thighs can be frozen for up to 6 months. 
  • Make It A Meal – Serve with homemade fries, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dishes to make a complete meal. 

Prep Ahead And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Separate the raw frozen chicken thighs by running them under cold water. There is no need to thaw chicken before air frying.
  • Store – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.  
  • Freeze – Freeze for up to 3 months. 

FAQs

How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer?

Frozen chicken thighs will need to cook in the air fryer for about 25-30 minutes. Actual cooking time will depend on the size of the thighs. Larger thighs will news a few additional minutes. Begin checking the internal temperature at 20 minutes. 

Can I Cook Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer?

Cook frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs following the same method as you would for bone in, skin on chicken thighs. Boneless thighs will cook slightly faster so I recommend you begin checking the internal temperature at the 18 minute mark.

close up view of the completed recipe inside the air fryer basket

More Recipes You May Like

  • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
  • Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.

Serving Suggestions

  • Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries.
  • Smothered Cabbage.
  • Grilled Watermelon Salad.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Get The Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe:

the completed frozen chicken thighs in air fryer recipe

Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Print Pin Rate Save RecipeSaved!
Course: Main Course
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 275kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy | Budget Delicious

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs frozen, bone in and skin on
  • ⅓ cup (94g) BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
  • Use olive oil to lightly coat the air fryer basket.
  • Place the frozen chicken thighs into the air fryer basket and cook for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C. Check for doneness and adjust the cooking time, depending on the size of the chicken thighs.
  • Brush chicken with BBQ sauce and air fry for 2 additional minutes.
  • Allow the chicken thighs to rest for several minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Always check labels when eating a low sugar or gluten free diet. You will only be using a small amount of BBQ sauce but it can have some hidden ingredients. 
  • If your frozen chicken thighs are clumped together you will need to run them under cold water for a few minutes. This will help the frozen chicken thighs to separate. You do not need to defrost the frozen chicken thighs, simply separate them.
  • Air fryer cooking times should be used as a guide. Adjust cooking times as needed depending on the size of your frozen chicken thighs. Smaller chicken thighs may cook a bit faster but larger frozen chicken thighs may need to air fry for 30 minutes or more. 
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil before adding the chicken thighs.
  • The air fryer works well because hot air can circulate all around the chicken so it is important to leave space between the chicken thighs. 
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket and always air fry frozen chicken thighs in batches if they don’t fit well. 
  • Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
  • Cook frozen chicken thighs to the appropriate temperature then brush the chicken thighs with your favorite BBQ sauce and air fryer for a few minutes to set the sauce. 
  • Boneless chicken thighs will cook faster so you will need to adjust the time accordingly if cooking boneless chicken thighs.
  • Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
  • There are 9 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 269mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 124IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
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Hi am Bintu and glad to meet you. You will find delicious easy recipes on a budget. Includes easy chicken recipes, easy Instant Pot recipes, easy Air Fryer recipes with simple ingredients loved by the whole family. Let's dig deeper →

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