Cooking chicken thighs from frozen is a convenient way to prepare a quick protein-packed meal. However, it’s important to properly thaw and cook frozen chicken thighs to avoid food safety risks and achieve the best texture. This article will provide tips on safely thawing frozen chicken thighs, how long to bake or fry chicken thighs from frozen, and signs of doneness when cooking.
How to Thaw Frozen Chicken Thighs
There are three main methods for safely thawing frozen chicken thighs:
- Refrigerator thawing: The safest way to thaw is by placing frozen chicken thighs in the refrigerator in a container to catch juices. Allow 1 day for every 1 pound of frozen chicken. Once thawed, use within 1-2 days.
- Cold water thawing: Submerge a sealed bag of frozen chicken in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. About 30 minutes per pound of chicken. Cook immediately after thawing.
- Microwave thawing: Use the defrost setting based on weight, stopping to rearrange and turn over. Cook immediately after microwaving.
Never thaw chicken thighs on the counter or in hot water, as this encourages bacterial growth. And avoid refreezing thawed chicken thighs.
Baking Frozen Chicken Thighs
Baking is an easy hands-off way to cook chicken thighs from frozen. The oven yields juicy, tender chicken when cooked uncovered at a moderate temperature. Here are tips on baking frozen chicken thighs:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Arrange frozen chicken thighs skin-side up on baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Bake 30-45 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The time depends on the size of the thighs.
- Optional: For crisper skin, broil 3-5 minutes after baking. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Baking frozen bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs takes about 45 minutes total. Boneless, skinless thighs take closer to 30 minutes since they are thinner.
Baked Frozen Chicken Thighs Temperature Chart
| Chicken Thighs | Uncooked Weight | Baking Time at 375°F |
|---|---|---|
| Bone-in, skin-on | 1 pound | 45 minutes |
| Boneless, skinless | 1 pound | 30 minutes |
Frying Frozen Chicken Thighs
Pan-frying is a quick method for cooking frozen chicken thighs with crispy browned skin. Here are some tips for frying frozen chicken thighs on the stovetop:
- Use a heavy skillet, preferable cast iron or nonstick.
- Heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Place frozen chicken thighs skin-side down. Fry for 6-8 minutes without moving them.
- Flip and fry second side for 4-6 minutes until chicken is 165°F internally.
- Optional: Turn skin-side down and fry 2 minutes more to re-crisp the skin.
Frying yields the crispiest skin on chicken thighs. While quick, keep in mind that pan-frying does require more active monitoring compared to baking. Take care not to burn the chicken or excess oil.
Fried Frozen Chicken Thighs Cooking Time
| Chicken Thighs | Uncooked Weight | Total Fry Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bone-in, skin-on | 1 pound | 16-20 minutes |
| Boneless, skinless | 1 pound | 10-14 minutes |
How to Tell When Frozen Chicken Is Cooked
Since frozen chicken takes longer to cook, it can be tricky knowing when it’s fully cooked through. Here are some reliable doneness tests:
- Minimum safe temperature: Chicken thighs must reach an internal temperature of 165°F measured with a food thermometer.
- Texture: Cooked chicken will feel firm when pierced. The juices should run clear with no traces of pink.
- Color: Fully cooked chicken will be opaque throughout without any raw pink or red near the bone.
If in doubt, cut into the thickest part of a chicken thigh to check doneness inside. Any sign of bloody juices or pinkness means it needs more cooking. Chicken thighs can safely remain in the oven or skillet while double checking for doneness.
Tips for the Best Frozen Chicken Thighs
Follow these tips for tasty, juicy chicken thighs when cooking straight from frozen:
- Always thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to guarantee thighs reach 165°F.
- Avoid overcrowding if baking so chicken cooks evenly.
- Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes after cooking for juicier meat.
- Bake or pan fry gently to prevent chicken from drying out.
- Rub or marinate with spices, herbs, or sauces for extra flavor.
Cooking Frozen Chicken Thighs FAQs
Can you bake chicken thighs straight from frozen?
Yes, frozen chicken thighs can go straight into the oven without thawing first. The baking time will need to be extended. Plan for about 45 minutes at 375°F for bone-in chicken thighs.
Do you have to fry chicken thighs from frozen?
There’s no need to thaw chicken thighs before pan-frying. Place frozen thighs skin-side down in a hot skillet and increase cooking time by a few minutes per side.
How long does it take to cook frozen chicken thighs in a slow cooker?
For bone-in frozen chicken thighs, cook on low heat in a slow cooker for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours until 165°F internally. Defrosting first will reduce the cooking time.
Can you refreeze chicken once thawed?
It’s best to avoid refreezing raw chicken thighs once they have been thawed. However, cooked thawed chicken can be safely refrozen.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen chicken thighs is convenient and achievable with either your oven or skillet. Allow extra cooking time compared to raw and always validate doneness using a food thermometer. With a temperature of 165°F and opaque, firm meat, you’ll end up with perfectly cooked chicken every time even when starting from frozen.