Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be fried in 8-12 minutes depending on the thickness. Thinner chicken thighs may take around 8 minutes while thicker ones can take up to 12 minutes to cook through. Keep reading for more details on frying chicken thighs and how long they take.
What temperature to fry boneless chicken thighs?
The oil temperature for frying boneless chicken thighs should be between 350-375°F. This high heat helps the thighs cook quickly while developing a crispy, golden brown exterior. Lower heat around 300°F will lead to greasy chicken that soaks up too much oil.
How long per side to fry chicken thighs?
Each side of boneless chicken thighs should fry for 3-6 minutes depending on thickness. Thinner thighs will need about 3 minutes per side. Thicker thighs will need up to 6 minutes per side for the inside to cook through.
How to tell when boneless chicken thighs are done frying?
There are a few ways to test if boneless chicken thighs are fully cooked while frying:
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature – it should reach 165°F.
- Cut into a thigh to check the inside is opaque and cooked through, not pink.
- The exterior should be crisp and golden brown.
Frying Time Based on Thickness
| Chicken Thigh Thickness | Frying Time Per Side | Total Fry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch thick | 3-4 minutes | 8-10 minutes |
| 3/4 inch thick | 4-5 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
| 1 inch thick | 5-6 minutes | 12-15 minutes |
Tips for Frying Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Pat the chicken thighs dry before frying to help them brown and crisp up better.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350-375°F.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan, fry thighs in a single layer with space between them.
- Let thighs rest on a paper towel lined plate for a few minutes after frying.
Conclusion
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs take 8-12 minutes to fry depending on thickness. Thinner thighs around 1/2 inch thick will fry faster in 8-10 minutes. Thicker chicken thighs up to 1 inch can take 12-15 minutes to cook through and develop a crispy crust. Use an instant read thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let thighs rest before serving crispy fried boneless chicken thighs.