Description
This simple and flavorful recipe shows you how to cook frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer to achieve crispy skin and juicy meat without thawing. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic, onion granules, and black pepper, then air fried to perfection in about 35 minutes. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal with minimal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 5–6 frozen chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion granules
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Remove Packaging: Take the frozen chicken thighs out of their packaging, ensuring they are not stuck together for even cooking.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine paprika, Italian seasoning, onion granules, garlic granules, salt, black pepper, and olive oil to create a flavorful rub.
- Season Chicken: Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly over all sides of the frozen chicken thighs to ensure even flavor coverage.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between pieces for proper air circulation.
- Initial Air Fry: Cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes in the air fryer.
- Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the chicken thighs over and continue air frying for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (75°C) for food safety.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cooked chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute for moist, tender meat before serving.
Notes
- Ensure chicken thighs are arranged in a single layer for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- You can adjust seasoning quantities based on your preference.
- For extra crispy skin, you may increase air fry time slightly but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Letting the chicken rest before cutting improves juiciness.
