# Chicken thighs cooking times

How long to cook chicken thighs: **35–45 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 22–25 min in an air fryer at 190°C, 5–6 min per side pan-fried and 6–8 min per side under the grill**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/chicken-thighs-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook chicken thighs

Times are for about 8 thighs, for 4.

Chicken thighs: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Bone-in) | 35–45 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Skin side up, rubbed with oil and salt. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Boneless) | 20–25 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | – |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Bone-in) | 22–25 min | 190°C (375°F) | Skin side down first, then up for the last 10 minutes. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Boneless) | 15–18 min | 190°C (375°F) | Turn halfway. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Boneless) | 5–6 min per side | over a medium-high heat | Boneless thighs, opened out flat. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) (Boneless) | 6–8 min per side | under a medium-hot grill | Boneless, opened out flat. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) (Bone-in) | 30–40 min | over indirect heat, lid down | Bone-in; finish over direct heat to crisp the skin. Boneless take 5–7 minutes per side over direct heat. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) | 4–6 hours | on low | Bone-in or boneless, in a sauce. 3–4 hours on high. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) | 10–12 min | on high pressure | Boneless, with 250 ml liquid; natural release. Bone-in take 15 minutes. |

Also see: [Chicken cooking time](https://feastflow.co.uk/roast-chicken-cooking-time) (whole chicken and chicken pieces).

## Before you start

Pat the skin dry for crispness. Boneless thighs cook almost twice as fast.

## How to tell it’s done

Juices run clear and the meat pulls away from the bone. Thighs are best taken a little higher, to 80°C, when they’re most tender.

**Food safety:** Cook until it reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part, with no pink meat and clear juices.

## Questions

### How long to cook chicken thighs in the oven?

Bone-in: 35–45 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Skin side up, rubbed with oil and salt. Boneless: 20–25 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6.

### How long to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?

Bone-in: 22–25 min at 190°C (375°F). Skin side down first, then up for the last 10 minutes. Boneless: 15–18 min at 190°C (375°F). Turn halfway.

### How long to pan-fry chicken thighs?

Boneless: 5–6 min per side over a medium-high heat. Boneless thighs, opened out flat.

### How long to grill chicken thighs?

Boneless: 6–8 min per side under a medium-hot grill. Boneless, opened out flat.

### How long to barbecue chicken thighs?

Bone-in: 30–40 min over indirect heat, lid down. Bone-in; finish over direct heat to crisp the skin. Boneless take 5–7 minutes per side over direct heat.

### How long to cook chicken thighs in a slow cooker?

4–6 hours on low. Bone-in or boneless, in a sauce. 3–4 hours on high.

### How long to cook chicken thighs in a pressure cooker?

10–12 min on high pressure. Boneless, with 250 ml liquid; natural release. Bone-in take 15 minutes.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/