Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

Need a quick dinner? Throw some frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer, add lemon pepper seasoning halfway through, and have a delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes!

Have you ever wondered the best way to add seasoning when you cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer? My friend, I have your answer—and it’s probably even easier than you think!

If you buy packaged chicken thighs to keep in the freezer like I do, you know it’s a pain to open the package, season the thighs, then reseal them. Good news: with this recipe, you don’t have to do any of that!

Instead, we’ll use the air fryer to thaw the thighs, add the seasoning partway through, then place the thighs back in the air fryer to finish crisping them up and cooking them all the way through. The result is crispy, delicious chicken thighs with the perfect punch of flavor!

And, if you love lemon pepper seasoning, try it on these Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp too!

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

• How to make the best frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer
• How long you can store frozen chicken thighs in the freezer
• What to serve with lemon pepper chicken thighs

For an easy dinner that turns out juicy, crispy, and delicious, it doesn’t get any easier than making lemon pepper chicken thighs in the air fryer. Best of all, this simple dish is just as perfect for a busy weeknight as it is for a family gathering!

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Place separated frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes until just thawed. 

STEP THREE: Remove the chicken from the basket. Spray each thigh with cooking oil using an oil mister, then sprinkle on the lemon pepper seasoning evenly on both sides. 

You can read more about using oil in the air fryer here.

STEP FOUR: Return the chicken to the basket and cook for 12-15 additional minutes, flipping once halfway through. They are done once the chicken reads 165 degrees internally using an Instant-Read Meat Thermometer.

STEP FIVE: Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and enjoy with your favorite sides.

Love chicken thighs? Try our other chicken thigh recipes!

• Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Bone in Chicken Thighs
• Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Can I Cook This Recipe With Thawed Chicken Thighs?

Yes! Just follow these simple directions to make raw chicken thighs in the air fryer.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees.
2. Coat the chicken thighs even with the Lemon Pepper seasoning then place the chicken thighs in the air fryer.
3. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Thighs

The best part about making a big batch of lemon pepper thighs in the air fryer is getting to enjoy them later in the week! If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, place them in a shallow airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to four days.

You could also freeze your leftover thighs for longer storage. Place them in a freezer-safe container or gallon bag, then freeze for up to six months. When you’re ready to enjoy, I recommend placing the thighs in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.

How Long are Frozen Chicken Thighs Good For?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be frozen for years without any safety concerns. However, the taste will start to deteriorate over time, which is why you want to eat frozen thighs within six to nine months.

The same will be true for thighs with the skin on, wings, breasts, or any other pieces of chicken. If you freeze a whole chicken, the timeframe extends a bit and will be the best quality if you eat it within a year.

Do I Need to Preheat My Air Fryer?

Yes! Preheating the air fryer not only helps you save time but also gives you the crispiest, most delicious results. In general, thick cuts and frozen meats benefit the most from preheating. So when you’re making frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer, you definitely don’t want to skip this step.

Want to learn more about the benefits of preheating and the best way to do it? Check out my article on How to Preheat an Air Fryer!

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

• Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
• Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
• Easy Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
• Instant Pot Glazed Carrots Recipe
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Garlic

You can also check out all of these delicious air fryer vegetable ideas too!

How to Reheat Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the leftover chicken thighs in the air fryer.
3. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through.

Other Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

• Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce
• Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
• Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Orange Chicken
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken
• Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
• Air Fryer Bone-in Chicken Breasts
• Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

And check out our full list of 40+ air fryer chicken recipes to try!

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