Tender Air fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts (No thaw)

Name: Tender Air fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts (No thaw)
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 650 g (3 large) chicken breasts; 1 tbsp neutral oil (or other neutral oil); 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; Salt & Pepper; 1 tbsp honey (optional)

If air fry frozen chicken breast isn’t in your weekly rotation, this recipe & method is going to quickly change that. This is my go-to, easy and simple way to get succulent, delicious, tender chicken breast.

A piece of cooked , juicy chicken being held with 2 hands.

Table of Contents

Why you’ll love this recipe

No Thaw: this recipe requires no forward thinking, simply grab your frozen chicken breast from your freezer and begin cooking!

Faster Than Oven: The air fryer can cook from frozen in a shorter amount of time. But even the preheat and cooking times are both shorter with the airfryer than they are with an oven. Plus a bonus factor to have you convinced- you get better colour on your chicken breast in the airfryer as the excess moisture evaporates better!

Healthy: Chicken breast is a fab, lean source of protein. So I love to use this recipe for healthy meal prep. You can even take the seasonings that you love from less healthy versions like deep fried chicken for a satisfying end result. I love a paprika, onion and garlic powder blend!

If you want to try more frozen recipes in the airfryer, try out these dishes: frozen Steak in airfryer, easy frozen shrimp in airfryer , frozen salmon in the airfryer, frozen sausages in the airfryer.

Ingredients

Frozen chicken breast : this recipe is for cooking whole frozen chicken breast in the airfryer. If you have pre-sliced chicken breast, you’ll need to reduce the cook time to prevent overcooking.

Neutral oil or spray: This will help the chicken brown nicely on the outside, stay moist on the inside, and not stick to the basket. I like to use avocado oil.

Seasoning: I love to use a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. This works really well with air fryer frozen chicken breast as it almost mimics fried chicken seasoning. You can switch things up here though- you could go for a lemon and herb style seasoning or even incorporate spices like curry powder to mix things up! Cooking frozen chicken breast in the airfryer is versatile and amazing for this reason.

How to cook juicy frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer

Preheat air fryer to 400℉ (200℃)

Remove the chicken breast fillets from the freezer (stored in airtight freezer bags) (Image 1).
Place the chicken spaced out in the airfryer basket (Image 2).

2 step by step photos, the first with frozen chicken breast fillets in freezer bags and the second with 3 frozen chicken breasts in airfryer ray.

3. Cook for 10 minutes so the chicken can defrost (Image 3).

4. Brush the thawed chicken with neutral oil and add the seasoning (Image 4).

2 step by step photos, the first with frozen chicken breast fillets, partly defrosted, in a airfryer tray and the second with 3 chicken breasts covered with seasoning and oil brush.

5. Cook for 10 minutes more minute then flip the chicken, then cook for an additional 10 minutes and check the internal temperature for 74℃ (165℉). If the internal temperature is not 74℃ (165℉), then add a few additional minutes and recheck the temperature (Image 5).

6. Leave to rest then slice ready to serve hot with your choice of sides (Image 6).

2 step by step photos, the first with cooked and seasoned chicken breast fillets in the airfryer tray nd the second with 3 chicken breast fillets on a wooden board with one sliced.

How long does it take to cook frozen raw chicken breasts in an air fryer?

The time to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer will vary depending on the size of the chicken breast.

For a small 4 ounce breast, the cooking time should be around 15-20 minutes. Check the internal temperature at the 15 minute mark, the important thing to remember is that the internal temperature should be 74℃ (165℉) regardless of how thick the chicken breast is.

With smaller airfryer frozen chicken breast- you may want to brush the chicken with neutral oil/ add the spices earlier than the 10 minute mark so that the spices have more time to bloom in the airfryer. For a chicken breast that is 5 ounces or more, the total cook time will be 20-25 minutes. This is what I based my recipe on, as I tend to cook chicken breasts that are approx 200g/ 5-7 ounces.

*Be aware that some air fryers may cook lower than the temperature for which they are set.

Golden browned chicken breast fillets on a wooden board with one piece sliced.

How long does it take to cook frozen pre-cooked chicken breast in an air fryer?

When cooking chicken that is precooked, such as breaded chicken fingers, fried chicken wings, or seasoned chicken breast, the cooking time will be shorter than if the chicken is raw.

Again, preheat your airfryer to 400℉ (200℃) cook for 5-7 minutes, and then flip and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. As long as the pre-cooked chicken is fairly small, it should not take longer than 15 minutes to cook.

If the cut of chicken is larger, like a breast, it may take 20-30 minutes.

Golden browned, seasoned chicken breast fillets on a wooden board with one piece sliced.

Tips for the best result

Make sure you preheat your air fryer at 400°F
Similarly sized pieces of chicken will cook in a similar amount of time. I like to limit the quantity of chicken breast to 3 to not overcrowd the basket.
Arrange chicken in a single layer and do not stack.
Check the temperature of each breast, not just one.
If possible, cook without foil for the best browning and colour.
Remember to flip halfway through the cook time.
Cook to an internal temperature of 165℉ (74℃ )

What to serve it with?

Chicken can be served with a variety of sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or even a nice salad.

Here are some carb options to pair this airfry frozen chicken breast with:

Or if you want to keep the meal light, you could add this as a high protein source with these recipes:

Here are some more delicious side recipes ideas : Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables, The CRISPIEST Roast Potatoes and Honey-Roasted Carrots & Parsnips

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I like to slice my chicken breast before storing so that I can grab it quickly from the fridge for meal prep to save time.

It is safe to re-freeze the cooked frozen chicken breast, however I prefer to just cook the amount that I need so that I don’t have to go through the cooking process twice.

FAQ

Can you cook frozen chicken in the air fryer?

Absolutely! The air fryer method is the best if you want a quick, no thaw way to serve deliciously juicy, tender chicken tonight!

Should I preheat the air fryer?

Preheating is not something that has to be done, but it is good to preheat when making chicken that has breading. That way the breaded chicken does not thaw and become soggy.
However, for raw frozen chicken, preheating is not entirely necessary but the thawing process may take a little longer.

How much chicken should I put in the air fryer?

Place the chicken in one layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space between the pieces of chicken so the heat and oil can circulate appropriately. Overcrowding will cause the chicken to possibly stick together and cook unevenly. With my airfryer, I like to limit 3 frozen chicken breasts at a time.

Should I flip the chicken?

Yes. Flipping the chicken midway though the cooking time will allow for a more evenly cooked piece of meat.

Need something sweet after? Try my chocolate egg recipes ; Easy Chocolate Easter Nests, Giant Chocolate Cornflake Cake and Easter Rice Krispie Treats