Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

Name: Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 24 ounces (680g) frozen chicken thighs (6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on); ⅓ cup (93g) BBQ sauce

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Enjoy flavorful frozen chicken thighs in air fryer in as little as 25 minutes with this simple air fryer cooking method. The air fryer frozen chicken thighs will be juicy on the inside with crispy chicken skin on the outside–no defrosting necessary.

Suitable for gluten free, low carb, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

top down view of the completed frozen chicken thighs in air fryer basket

We’ve all been there. Dinner is upon us, and we’ve forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer. Fortunately, all hope is not lost, and thanks to the air fryer you can have a healthy and delicious dinner on the table in under 30 minutes when you cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer.

Chicken thighs are often underappreciated, but dark meat chicken thighs are so flavorful they have quickly replaced chicken breast as my favorite cut of chicken. Plus, chicken thighs are easy to store in the freezer, and this simple recipe for air fryer chicken thighs is scrumptious.

Air fryer frozen chicken thighs are shockingly simple to make. With just 2 ingredients – frozen chicken thighs and BBQ sauce – and in less than 30 minutes, you’ll be feasting on juicy dark meat chicken thighs with incredibly crispy skin.

Another bonus is that Air fryer frozen chicken thighs are also cheaper than chicken breast, so they’re easy to make and easy on your wallet.

This is seriously one of the best air fryer chicken recipes, ranking right up there with these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, the best Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast, and Air Fryer Chicken Stuffed Chicken Breast.

Frozen chicken thighs in air fryer served on a white plate

Why Make This Recipe

Fast – Cook frozen chicken thighs in air fryer in less than 30 minutes.
Perfect for Guests – Don’t fret when unexpected guests show up for dinner; just pull a few frozen chicken thighs out of the freezer and make this simple air fryer recipe.
Budget-Friendly – Chicken thighs are an affordable cut of meat, and cooking frozen chicken thighs is perfect for saving time and money.
Diet-Friendly – Depending on the type of BBQ sauce used, these flavorful air fryer frozen chicken thighs are suitable for gluten free and low carb diets.

Ingredient Notes

Frozen Chicken Thighs – Use bone in, skin on frozen chicken thighs.
BBQ Sauce – Select your favorite BBQ sauce to meet your individual dietary preferences and needs.

a bowl filled with bbq sauce with a brush dipped in

Ready to make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs recipe? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

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

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Add the frozen chicken thighs and air fry for about 25 minutes, depending on size, until the frozen chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
Brush chicken thighs with BBQ sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.
Serve the chicken thighs immediately.

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

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

Expert Tips

To ensure that this recipe meets your dietary needs, select a diet-friendly BBQ sauce.
There is no need use thawed chicken thighs.
The frozen chicken thighs should be separated. If your chicken thighs are in a clump, run the frozen chicken thighs under cold water just until they separate.
Air fryer temperature may vary depending on the make and model, so cooking times are meant to be a guide. Make adjustments as needed depending on the size of your frozen chicken thighs. Cook frozen chicken thighs for 30 minutes or more if they are on the larger side.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil before adding the chicken thighs.
Leave space between the frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer basket so the hot air can circulate and cook the frozen chicken thighs evenly.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook frozen chicken thighs in batches if necessary.
Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of cooked chicken should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the thighs.
Once the chicken thighs have reached the appropriate temperature, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and return it to the air fryer basket for a few minutes to set the sauce.

Delicious Variations

Use Boneless Chicken Thighs – You can use frozen boneless chicken thighs if preferred. Since they will cook faster, you will need to adjust the time for cooking boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Swap The BBQ Sauce – For a different flavor profile, use Teriyaki sauce instead of barbecue sauce.
Try Different Seasonings – Brush the chicken with a thin layer of olive oil and season with garlic powder, lemon pepper, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper. You can also use Italian seasoning or a Cajun seasoning blend.

Prep And Storage

Prep Ahead – Buy frozen chicken thighs in advance and stash in the freezer until needed. Separate the raw frozen chicken thighs by running them under cold water.
Store – Store leftover air fryer frozen chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze – Freeze leftover chicken for up to 3 months.

close up view of 3 frozen chicken thighs in air fryer basket

FAQs

Can I Cook Frozen Chicken in My Air Fryer?

Yes, one of the benefits of air fryers is that you can cook chicken straight from frozen, so there is no need to thaw chicken first.

How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer?

This frozen chicken thighs recipe will need to air fry for about 25-30 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs. Flip halfway through air frying chicken thighs and check the temperature at the 20-minute mark.

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

You can follow the same method outlined in this air fryer recipe to cook frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs. Boneless thighs may cook through a little quicker, so I recommend you begin checking the internal temperature at the 18-minute mark.

the finished frozen chicken thighs in air fryer served on a white plate

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Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

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5 from 1 vote