Let’s be honest: Purchasing an air fryer expands your culinary options significantly. And all of a sudden, you’re feeling like a pro chef. But how about frozen chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer? Is it possible to cook frozen chicken pieces in an air fryer? Surprisingly, yes! Stay tuned to find out how to cook crispy, juicy, and tasty chicken thighs in the air fryer in as little as 30 minutes.

Can You Cook Chicken Thighs From Frozen?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken thighs. This may be accomplished in an air fryer or by baking your chicken in the oven.

Do not, under any circumstances, place frozen chicken in hot oil to be fried or seared, since this can cause oil to spatter. Cooking boiling chicken thighs follows the same principle. If the oil gets into touch with your heating element, a fire may start.

Having said that, cooking chicken thighs from freezer is a simple process. But, there are a few things to keep in mind while doing this to guarantee that your chicken comes out moist and tasty.

First and foremost, while using an air fryer, avoid battering your frozen chicken. The batter will not adhere effectively to the chicken, and the moisture from the frozen chicken will prevent it from crisping correctly. The ultimate outcome will be a mushy, unappealing mess, and no one wants that.

Secondly, given their frozen status, you’ll want to make sure you completely cook the chicken thigh pieces. To do this, lengthen the cooking periods for your chicken and, if possible, invest in a meat thermometer to confirm that your chicken has achieved the proper internal temperature before serving.

Then, before adding your spices, make sure your chicken is covered with oil or butter. Though you could technically add your seasonings halfway through baking or frying (or even leaving the chicken without seasoning at all), we recommend that you coat the chicken with oil before sprinkling your seasonings (not batter!) over the oiled surface of the chicken to ensure that the seasoning sticks to your frozen chicken.

After you’ve determined all of these variables, it’s time to dive into the science of air frying frozen chicken thighs. And we can assure you that this step is insanely simple!

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Do you want to know how to cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer? No longer be perplexed! Today, we’re sharing our best expert advice for making the juiciest, most delicious chicken thighs in the air fryer in under 30 minutes using just a handful of spices.

Ingredients

• 1 pack of tiny chicken thighs (about 4 total)
• 1 tiny lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin (optional, for smokier flavor)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (garlic powder)
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

Directions

If you left your chicken in the marinade for more than 30 minutes, it may have started to defrost. Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 18 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit before letting the skin to crisp up for 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit if it is entirely frozen.

How to Cook Frozen Boneless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• split 4 tablespoons olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons salt
• Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, ground

Directions

1. 2 tablespoons of your preferred oil should be slathered over the chicken thighs. After that, season the chicken thighs with half a teaspoon of salt.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 385 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-9 minutes at this temperature.
3. While the chicken thighs are cooking, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, salt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, paprika, thyme, onion powder, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
4. After 8 to 9 minutes, turn the chicken over and baste with the previously made sauce. Cook for an another 6-7 minutes.
5. You’ll need to turn the chicken again halfway through cooking to baste the other side.
6. Your air fryer chicken thighs are ready to serve after both sides have been fried in the sauce.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer?

How long should you cook chicken thighs in an air fryer? Note that the time it takes for your chicken to be fully cooked can vary depending on a variety of circumstances. Cook times may vary depending on how many chicken thighs you put in the air fryer basket at once, how thick your chicken thighs are, and how hot you air fried the chicken.

As mentioned in earlier sections, we recommend air frying bone-in chicken thighs at roughly 360 degrees Fahrenheit. At 385 degrees Fahrenheit, boneless, skinless thighs. This implies that bone-in chicken thighs will take around 30 minutes to fully cook. Thinner, easier-to-cook boneless skinless thighs may be ready in 15 minutes.

It all depends on the sort of chicken you’re cooking, whether it’s fresh or frozen, and the temperature at which you’re cooking it.

Want to Make Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer? Lucky For You, It’s Easy!

Whilst it may seem overwhelming to make crispy and tasty chicken thighs in the air fryer, the fact is that it is extremely simple. And the outcome is definitely worth the effort!

With your air fryer, you can transform drab frozen chicken pieces into a magnificent restaurant-worthy chicken meal in as little as 30 minutes (or less).

Just follow the instructions in this article to ensure that your chicken is properly seasoned and cooked all the way through before serving (and your guests).

Hopefully, this has been helpful. See you next time!

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