Juicy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast (No Thaw)

If air fryer frozen chicken breast isn’t in your weekly rotation, this recipe & method for frozen chicken breast air fryer cooking is going to quickly change that. This is my go-to, easy and simple way to get succulent, delicious, tender chicken breast – perfect for quick dinners or easy meal prep alongside the Jennifer Aniston Salad.

Why you’ll love this recipe 

This method makes air fryer frozen chicken breast very easy, especially since we are cooking it straight from the freezer.

• No thaw: Like in my recipe for Frozen Sausages in Air Fryer, you don’t need to plan ahead, just grab your frozen chicken breast from the freezer and start cooking. It’s ideal when you need to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer but forgot to take it out the night before.
• Faster than oven: An air fryer cooks frozen chicken breast in air fryer much quicker than a standard oven. You don’t have to wait ages for it to preheat and the moisture evaporates faster so you get a better colour.
• Healthy: Chicken breast is a fab, lean source of protein, which makes this perfect for meal prep. It works especially well served with this Orzo Pasta Salad.

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 

Can you air fry frozen chicken? I get asked this all the time, and it really is SO easy.

• Frozen chicken breast: This recipe is for cooking whole frozen chicken breast in the air fryer. Once cooked, it slices easily and would work so well stirred through Pesto Pasta Salad.
• Neutral oil or spray: A tiny bit of oil helps the chicken brown nicely, stay moist on the inside, and prevents sticking when you air fry frozen chicken breast.
• Seasoning: A blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder works really well here. These flavours would go really well with this Ravioli Casserole.

Variations / Adaptations

This recipe is easy to adapt, which is useful if you’ve ever wondered can you cook frozen chicken in an air fryer and still switch things up.

• Lemon & herb: Use dried herbs and a bit of lemon zest for a lighter vibe, similar to my Cast Iron Chicken Breast, that works well with salads or roasted vegetables. 
• Spiced version: Add some curry powder or Cajun spice for a bit of heat. It’s a good shout when you air fry frozen chicken breast for wraps or grain bowls.
• Pre-cooked chicken: If you are using breaded or pre-cooked strips, just shorten the timer. This is a great nostalgic dinner served with Easy Cafeteria Noodles.

How to make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast

Preheat air fryer to 400℉ (200℃)

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

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).  

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).

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

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.

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.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is easy to build into a full meal once you know your frozen chicken breast air fryer time. It goes well with so many different dishes.

Try it with:

• Spinach pasta sauce
• Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina
• Animal Style Fries at Home
• Tricolore Salad
• The Best Halloumi Salad
• Halloumi Caesar Salad

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

If you’re wondering can you put frozen chicken in an air fryer and store it safely afterwards, this method works super well for meal prep.

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Cooked chicken can be re-frozen, but I wouldn’t recommend it as the texture is best when freshly cooked.

Reheat: Pop it back in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) until it’s hot, or just slice it cold for a Burrito Bowl.

FAQ