Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
This easy method for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast turns a frozen chicken breast into a tender and juicy part of lunch or dinner in just 30 minutes or less. Great for any air fryer or Ninja Foodi!
Most people think you can’t put frozen meat in the air fryer, but thankfully that’s not true! One of the easiest ways to prep food for a healthy lifestyle is to use your air fryer.
Not only can you put frozen chicken breast in the air fryer, but it both thaws AND cooks there with the right time and temperature.
Tender and juicy chicken breast cooked straight from frozen in the air fryer can be used in salads, wraps, pasta dishes, or eaten on its own with your favorite side dishes.
🥣What You’ll Need
Frozen Chicken Breast – There 2 different types of frozen chicken you can use. One is the bagged chicken that comes already frozen. These are in the frozen section with popular brands such as Great Value, Perdue, and Tyson. You can also use fresh chicken breast that you’ve frozen yourself.
Oil & Seasonings – This is an optional step, but seasoning the chicken while it’s frozen helps create a tender inside and great flavor. I used avocado oil along with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to season the frozen chicken breast.
Air Fryer – Can I cook frozen chicken in my Ninja Foodi? Yes! While you can use any air fryer you have, I highly recommend the Ninja Foodi or Ninja Foodi Grill because I think it’s the absolute best. Ninja Foodi frozen chicken breast is easy and achievable!
📖How Cook Frozen Chicken Breast In Air Fryer
1️⃣ Preheat the air fryer. Turn the air fryer to a temperature of 375F and preheat for 3-5 minutes. You do not need to grease the basket.
2️⃣ Season the chicken breast. Spray the chicken with a light coating of your favorite cooking oil, then season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika or your favorite seasoning.
3️⃣ Air fry frozen chicken. Add seasoned frozen chicken to the air fryer and set a timer for 30 minutes. You may not need to use all of this cooking time. Depending on the size, check at the 12-15 minute mark and decide if it needs a bit longer. Chicken is cooked fully when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
4️⃣ Serve. Once chicken is cooked through, remove from the air fryer with tongs and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
⏲Best Time & Temperature For Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
How long do you cook frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer? Generally you can expect 12-15 minutes per inch of thickness at a temperature of 350F. You do not need to flip the chicken breast halfway through cooking time unless you’d like to.
- Frozen Precooked Chicken – 12-15 minutes at 375F
- Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast – 12-18 minutes at 375F
- Frozen Chicken Tenderloins – 9-10 minutes at 400F
- 1 inch thick Raw Chicken Breast – 15-20 minutes at 375F
- 2 inch thick Raw Chicken Breast – 25-30 minutes at 375
🛍Frozen bagged raw chicken: Pre-frozen chicken breast from the store usually takes less time than a fresh chicken breast that has been frozen. This is because they are usually a bit thinner and smaller than fresh. Either way, use the size guide for recommended time and temperature.
♻Storing & Reheating
Storing: Air fried chicken breast will stay fresh in an airtight container for 3-4 for days in the fridge.
Reheating: You can reheat air fried chicken breast by placing them back in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 350 until heated through and crispy.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast frozen
Seasoning
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 pinch Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Turn the air fryer to a temperature of 375F and preheat for 3-5 minutes. You do not need to grease the basket.
- Season the chicken breast. Spray the chicken with a light coating of your favorite cooking oil, then season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika or your favorite seasoning.
- Air fry frozen chicken. Add seasoned frozen chicken to the air fryer and set a timer for 30 minutes. You may not need to use all of this cooking time. Depending on the size, check at the 12-15 minute mark and decide if it needs a bit longer. Chicken is cooked fully when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
- Serve. Once chicken is cooked through, remove from the air fryer with tongs and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
⏲Best Time & Temperature For Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
How long do you cook frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer? Generally you can expect 12-15 minutes per inch of thickness at a temperature of 350F. You do not need to flip the chicken breast halfway through cooking time unless you’d like to.- Frozen Precooked Chicken – 15-20 minutes at 375F
- Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast – 12-15 minutes at 375F
- 1 inch thick Raw Chicken Breast – 15-20 minutes at 375F
- 2 inch thick Raw Chicken Breast – 25-30 minutes at 375
I just found out you can cook chicken from frozen – amazing!
I’m so glad this worked! I usually make the frozen-solid chicken thighs in the InstantPot, but mine was not clean and I really did not feel like using the oven. I was worried they might turn out too dry being under the Air Fryer’s broiler element, but they actually turned out just right since I used plenty of olive oil. Thanks for sharing.
At that high a temperature, won’t the chicken cook too fast on the outside before the inside defrosts? (I’m new to all this. IDK).
This was sooooo good! I used bbq instead of the seasoning recommendation but it came out so juicey and perfect! I went right from the freezer to the air fryer but mine took closer to 50 min to cook! My breasts were large and stuck together at first so I think that’s why? Either way! Thank you!