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You are here: Home / Air fryer recipes / Air fryer frozen chicken thighs (from fresh too!)

Air fryer frozen chicken thighs (from fresh too!)

May 30, 2020 by Tanya 5 Comments

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Learn how to cook juicy and crispy bone in chicken thighs in the air fryer! Super easy keto and low carb friendly recipe for the most delicious thighs made with just a few simple ingredients.

four cooked chicken thighs in the blakc air fryer basket with chopped cilantro on top

You don’t need fancy ingredients to create a fancy restaurant worthy chicken dinner! Try to make chicken thighs in your air fryer and i promise you will be shocked how easy is it. The skin is so crispy and the meat is so tender and juicy. And all of this is ready in less than 30 minutes!

How to choose the right chicken

Most of the chicken sold these days is frozen or been previously frozen. In big supermarkets ins probably the option. When i choose my chicken, i usually just look at the weight of the bird, or bird parts if i am only using thighs or drumsticks.

If the size is too big, skip on that. Usually it happens because there were lots of steroids used in the production or it just simply too much water n the pack.

I like to buy chilled chicken thighs from local farms. They contain less amount of fat, thats what i like the most. But i always ave couple chickens from Walmart in my fridge you know, just in case!

Temperature and cooking time

Typically cooking time for a bone in chicken thigh in air fryer is 18 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. After that turn it up to 400 and cook for another 5 minutes or so until the skin is as crispy as you prefer.

  • raw bone in thighs with skin on in the cooking pan
  • Seasoned with red and green spices and herbs raw chicken thighs with skin on in the black basket

What would you need

So for this delicious recipe you will only need a handful of ingredients. If you have time, marinate chicken in lemon juice with lots of spices. You can use spice blend you like. My recipe spice blend contains paprika (smoked is even better!), salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions powder and some cumin.

If you dont have or like thighs, you can use chicken breast or drumsticks! Just cut the cooking time by 5-7 minutes because those parts cook faster.

If you are on Weight Watchers program, remove the skin before cooking. Its very important since the skin will add you most points.

cooked chicken with crispy brown skin

Made this recipe and looking for a perfect side dish? Try:

  • Cauliflower rice
  • Air fryer Brussels sprouts
  • Sauteed vegetables

We use air fryer on a daily basis in our house. I probably use it more than a stove or oven! I love that whatever recipe i use its always a one pot dish and all you will need to clean is the air fryer basket. Who would not like that?

Cook it from frozen

For frozen chicken thighs use the same temperature setting at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, but instead of first 18 minutes, cook it for 25. After that, increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for additional 5 minutes to crisp the skin.

Thighs vary in size so if you are not sure, always check the internal temperature. It has to be at least 165 for a cooked bird. Stay away from the bone though when checking.

Continue to Content
close shot of golden brown chicken thighs in the air fryer

Air fryer frozen chicken thighs (from fresh too!)

Yield: 4 thighs
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes

Learn how to cook juicy and crispy bone in chicken thighs in the air
fryer! Super easy keto and low carb friendly recipe for the most
delicious thighs made with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry parsley (or fresh cilantro)

Instructions

Juice the lemon. Add all the spices and place thighs in to the marinade. Let it sit for a few minutes.

From fresh thighs

Place thighs in the air fryer. Cook on 360F degrees for 18 minutes, than change the temperature to 400F and cook for extra 5 minutes to crisp the skin.

From frozen thighs

Cook for 23 minutes at 360F degrees and then for 5 extra to crisp the skin.

Notes

Flip chicken once during cooking. This is optional and only needed if you have too many thighs in the basket. If there is enough space left, the air will circulate around no flipping required.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 290Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 756mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 31g
© Tanya
Cuisine: American / Category: Air fryer recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shannon Fry

    September 03, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    If cooking from frozen, can spices be added before cruising the skin?

    Reply
    • Tanya

      September 08, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      Hi! Adding spices before is fine

      Reply
  2. Shannon Fry

    September 03, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    I meant to say “crisping” lol

    Reply
  3. Jennifer

    January 02, 2021 at 6:58 am

    Can I bread frozen thighs then put them in the air fryer?

    Reply
    • Tanya

      January 04, 2021 at 7:52 pm

      I don’t think it will work on frozen thighs because they will release too much moister

      Reply

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