Print

Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs

crispy air fryer frozen chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for perfectly crispy and juicy frozen chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer in just 25 minutes, no thawing required.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 frozen bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (can substitute avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for heat

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat for about 5 minutes.
  2. Place frozen chicken thighs in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper over the thighs. Toss gently to coat. Add cayenne pepper if desired.
  4. Arrange the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
  5. Cook for 12 minutes skin-side down without opening the basket.
  6. Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up using tongs.
  7. Cook for another 12-13 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C). If not, cook a few more minutes, watching closely.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes outside the air fryer before serving.
  9. If skin is not crispy enough, cook an additional 2-3 minutes at 425°F (220°C), watching carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

Flip chicken thighs halfway through cooking to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Use a light coating of oil on frozen skin to help seasoning stick and promote browning. Check internal temperature to ensure doneness. For reheating, use air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, frozen chicken thighs, crispy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free, low-carb

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/crispy-air-fryer-frozen-chicken-thighs-recipe-ready-in-25-minutes/