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zoom in on cooked and seasoned chicken thigh in air fryer

Easy Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

Samantha Erb
Frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer are made with just 3 ingredients and result in a perfectly tender and juicy thigh that's super flavorful.
4.75 from 28 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Air Fryer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 271 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

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

Serving: 1Calories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 88mgPotassium: 246mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 94IUCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

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.

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