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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 a weekly staple, so much so that I wanted to see what would happen if we air fried frozen chicken breasts instead. And you guys, it’s a game changer. The chicken turns out crisp on the outside and still juicy and tender on the inside. The best part? I love that you don’t have to plan ahead.
Why I love this air fryer frozen chicken breast recipe
- Cooks straight from frozen. There’s no thawing needed, so I can literally make this at a moment’s notice.
- 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 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/74°C.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Smaller chicken breasts can be cooked in as little as 12 minutes, whereas larger chicken breasts may require 25 minutes. Keep a meat thermometer handy so you can check the temperature periodically.
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.
More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer chicken cutlets
- Air fryer hamburgers
- Air fryer turkey meatballs
- Air fryer salmon (or air fryer frozen salmon)
If you tried this Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast recipe, please leave a star rating and comment. It helps others thinking of making this.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
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 180C/350F.
- 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 74C/165F.
- 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.
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!