I love throwing frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer for a delicious and easy meal, no thawing required! My recipe includes lemon pepper seasoning for an irresistible flavor that has my whole family reaching for seconds.
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My Easy Way to Make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
I love keeping frozen chicken thighs in my freezer, but it’s a pain to remember to thaw them the night before or even the morning of. I constantly get ready to make dinner and realize the chicken is still frozen. It’s honestly how my recipe for frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer was created.
My chicken thighs were completely frozen. Not even partially thawed. Why? Because they were still sitting in the freezer and I never took them out. And, as much as I love my husband Ben and my 2 kids, we all know they aren’t taking them out for me.
I decided to try air fry the frozen chicken thighs because I had tried it with other chicken pieces like chicken breasts and it worked great. Turns out chicken thighs are the same way!
I had to test this recipe quite a few times because I constantly had issues with the seasoning falling off and not cooking correctly. But I came up with the best solution and now they cook up tender and flavorful every single time.
Honestly, I’ve been caught “forgetting” to take them out of the freezer for ease or just using this as a go-to recipe for an easy dinner because they taste just as good as they do cooked fresh. Plus, it takes so much less work and time than trying to bake them in the oven.
And, if you love good air fryer chicken recipes, try my recipes for air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer fried chicken, air fryer chicken legs, frozen chicken wings in the air fryer, and my son Connor’s favorite recipe for air fryer chicken tenders.
Air Fry Frozen Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- Frozen chicken thighs – I’ve used both boneless skinless chicken thighs and bone-in chicken thighs with skin with success
- Olive oil – to help the seasoning stick to the chicken and really get that crispy skin
- Lemon pepper seasoning – my go-to is the McCormick seasoning blend to keep things simple
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Place the frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer basket or tray and cook them for 15 minutes until they are just about thawed.
STEP THREE: Spray each thigh with olive oil using an oil sprayer, then sprinkle on the lemon pepper seasoning evenly on both sides.
STEP FOUR: Cook them for 12-15 additional minutes (27 to 30 minutes total), flipping once halfway through. They are done once the chicken reads 165 degrees internally using an Instant-Read Meat Thermometer.
Tips and tricks for the best air fryer frozen chicken thighs Recipe
- Let the air fryer fully preheat before adding the frozen chicken thighs. They thaw more evenly in a preheated air fryer, so I never skip this step.
- Make sure all of the chicken thighs are separated before being air fried. If they are connected together, it will change the cooking time and cause them to cook unevenly.
- Cook the frozen chicken thighs until just thawed before adding the oil and seasoning. For me, this is always around the 15-minute mark.
- Use an oil sprayer to spray the chicken thighs on all sides. A mister is my favorite way to disperse the oil evenly without using too much.
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the meat to reabsorb the juices, so it’s worth the wait!
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Variations and substitutions
- When I’m craving some freshness, I’ll add lemon or lime zest to the seasoning for a burst of citrus.
- Switch up the seasonings for a different twist of flavors! I like to use herbs like Italian seasoning or a little garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- I sometimes add cayenne pepper to the lemon pepper seasoning to give my chicken thighs a kick.
- For a saucy version, I’ll season the thighs with salt and black pepper, then brush with BBQ sauce or teriyaki in the last few minutes of cooking for a delicious glaze.
- To get a caramelized skin, I use salt and pepper to season, then brush the thighs with honey or maple syrup in the last few minutes of cooking.
What to Serve with Air Fry Frozen Chicken Thighs
I love serving air fried chicken thighs with comforting sides like air fryer baked potato, white bean soup, or mashed potatoes without milk.
When I’m in the mood to pair chicken thighs with something lighter, I’ll make squash in the air fryer, air fryer asparagus, or air fryer broccoli and cauliflower.
Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer FAQs
Can I cook this recipe with thawed chicken thighs?
Any time I start with thawed chicken thighs, I cook the chicken a little higher in temperature at 400 degrees F for about 10 to 15 minutes. I find this allows the skin to get extra crispy with less cooking time.
How to store leftover chicken thighs
Whenever I have extra chicken thighs, I let them cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. I store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, I’ll place them in a freezer-safe container or gallon bag and freeze the chicken thighs for up to 6 months.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
I never skip preheating my air fryer. This gives me the crispiest, most delicious results, and it’s especially important when I’m air frying thick cuts or frozen meats. I always recommend preheating the air fryer!
How long are frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer good for?
I always try to eat frozen chicken thighs within 6-9 months. Technically, they can be frozen for years without any safety concerns, but the taste will start to deteriorate over time, so I always aim to eat mine within 9 months.
Why are my chicken thighs dry?
Dry chicken thighs are often a sign that they were overcooked or that they didn’t get enough time to rest after cooking.
I use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature doesn’t go too far past 165 degrees F and always let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting into it.
Do you recommend thawing chicken before air frying?
I purposely created this recipe to be able to make frozen chicken in the air fryer without thawing it first. The result is so delicious and juicy chicken thighs that no one would ever guess were cooked from frozen!
How to reheat chicken thighs in the air fryer
To reheat leftover chicken thighs in the air fryer, I start by preheating the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Once hot, I add the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through and crispy on the outside!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Frozen salmon in the air fryer
- Air fryer boneless pork chops
- Air fry frozen meatballs
- Air fryer hot dogs
- Frozen burgers in the air fryer
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Easy Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds frozen chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Place the frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer and cook them for 15 minutes until the chicken is just thawed.
- Spray each thigh with olive oil, then sprinkle them with lemon pepper seasoning evenly on both sides.
- Cook the thighs for 12-15 additional minutes, flipping once halfway through. They are done when they hit 165 degrees F at their thickest point using a meat thermometer.
Notes
- Let the air fryer fully preheat before adding the frozen chicken thighs. They thaw more evenly in a preheated air fryer, so I never skip this step.
- Make sure all of the chicken thighs are separated before being air fried. If they are connected together, it will change the cooking time and cause them to cook unevenly.
- Cook the frozen chicken thighs until just thawed before adding the oil and seasoning. For me, this is always around the 15-minute mark.
- Use an oil mister to spray the chicken thighs on all sides. A mister is my favorite way to disperse the oil evenly without using too much.
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the meat to reabsorb the juices, so it’s worth the wait!
- Cook thawed chicken thighs in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 to 5 minutes until warmed thoroughly.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
