Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
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My air fryer frozen chicken breasts have become a lifesaver on busy weeknights. They’re fast, and you don’t even have to thaw them first. All you need is 20 minutes and a handful of seasonings.
Our air fryer chicken breast recipe has become such a weekly staple that I wanted to test what would happen if I cooked the chicken straight from frozen. You guys, after plenty of recipe trials (and a few surprises along the way), I can confidently say it’s a total game changer. The chicken comes out golden and crisp on the outside while staying juicy inside- without any thawing required.
I learned in culinary school that cooking lean protein from frozen should be uncomplicated. The key is starting with a hot air fryer so the outside seals quickly, then letting the chicken cook evenly through. In recipe testing, I also found that a combination of seasoning and oil helps the flavor stick while keeping the chicken moist and tender.
Table of Contents
Why I love this air fryer frozen chicken breast recipe
- Cooks straight from frozen. There’s no thawing needed.
- Versatile. I used a straightforward seasoning blend that you can easily modify depending on what you have in your spice cabinet.
- Makes meal prep easy. I cook a few frozen chicken breasts on Sunday so I have lunch covered for the rest of the week.
- Hands-off. All you need to do is season the chicken and check it midway through the cooking process.
We’ve also had success making frozen chicken wings in the air fryer, if you’d like to try another cut.
Key ingredients
Find the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities below.
- Frozen chicken breasts. Look for chicken that’s equal in size so you know they will cook at the same rate. I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts since they cook the fastest.
- Seasonings. I used a mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Olive oil. To coat the chicken so it gets crispy and golden. Avocado oil also works.
How to cook frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer
Step 1- Prep. Coat each chicken breast with olive oil and season all sides with spices.
Step 2- Air fry. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Step 3- Serve. Bush with a sauce of your choice and serve.
Recipe tips and variations
- Keep the chicken breasts from overlapping. If there is too much overlapping, some pieces won’t get fully cooked, while others may become overcooked. To avoid this, I try to keep them in a single layer.
- Always keep an instant-read thermometer nearby, so you can check that the thickest part of the breast has an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
- Use other cuts of chicken. Nothing says you can’t use chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks instead of chicken breasts. Please note that the cooking time will be slightly longer, as the bone-in dark meat requires additional cooking time.
- Other seasoning ideas. Try onion powder, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper.
Frequently asked questions
In my experience, the cooking time really depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts. When I tested smaller ones, they were done in about 12 minutes, but the larger, thicker ones needed closer to 25 minutes. I always keep a meat thermometer nearby so I can check the temperature as I go – 165°F (74°C) is the magic number for perfectly cooked chicken.
The best way I’ve found to avoid rubbery chicken is not to thaw them beforehand. You also want to avoid overcooking them past 165°F (74 °C), as this can cause them to dry out.
Slice the chicken thinly and serve on a bed of rice with your favorite toppings, or try my Greek chicken bowls. You can also layer thinly sliced chicken in burritos, tacos, or air fryer quesadillas. Of course, it’s a fabulous high-protein topper for salads, pasta, and pizza.
Storage instructions
To store: Let the chicken cool to room temperature, then store the leftover chicken breasts in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 5 days.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled chicken in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer chicken cutlets
- Air fryer hamburgers (or air fryer frozen burgers)
- Air fryer turkey meatballs
- Air fryer salmon (or air fryer frozen salmon)
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce frozen chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Whisk the smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl with olive oil. Rub over each chicken breast on both sides.
- Place the frozen and seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- Cook the chicken breasts for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken breasts: The cooking time is based on 6-ounce frozen chicken breast fillets. Smaller fillets (4 ounce or 5 ounce fillets) will usually take about 15 minutes, and large fillets (over 6 ounces) will take at least 22 minutes. Continually check using a meat thermometer.
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. Do not re-freeze, please.
This was super easy and I’m thrilled how juicy the chicken turned out, even after being frozen!
I’ve been doing this method for a couple of years now – so easy.
How good is it!