How to cook frozen chicken in airfryer

This frozen chicken breast in air fryer recipe is perfect if you're looking for a quick and easy meal. The chicken breast is cooked to perfection; it is tender, juicy, and so full of flavor. This simple recipe is perfect for busy families, plus it's a healthy option everyone will love!

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👩🏻‍🍳 More easy air fryer recipes
❤️ Why this recipe works
🐔 Ingredients
📖 Substitutions
📖 Variations
🍽 Equipment
🌡️ Storage
💭 Top tips
❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
🥗 What side dishes to serve with chicken breast air fryer recipe?
🐔 Easy chicken dinner recipes
📋 Recipe
📑 Food safety

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We all know how difficult it can be to cook a healthy meal after a long work day. You're exhausted, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen.

Thankfully, I have the solution for you! One of the simplest and most healthy weeknight meals you can make is this air fryer chicken breast recipe.

This is such a simple recipe; anyone who knows how to operate an air fryer can do it! You'll have a crispy and juicy chicken breast perfect for dinner or lunch.

I love to cook air fryer chicken tenders and air fryer chicken thighs, which are always tender and juicy. So I thought it was high time I tried chicken breasts!

I love cooking chicken breasts wrapped in bacon in the air fryer, which are amazing! I wrapped them in bacon because I initially thought chicken breasts in the air fryer would be tough and dry. But, boy, was I wrong!

This chicken recipe is one of my family's new favorite recipes, and I bet it will be yours too! It is my new go-to recipe for a last-minute meal the whole family will love!

👩🏻‍🍳 More easy air fryer recipes

Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer (Low-Carb)
Tilapia in Air Fryer - No Breading (Keto-Friendly)
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Easy Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer

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👩🏻‍🍳 More easy air fryer recipes
❤️ Why this recipe works
🐔 Ingredients
♨️ How to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer
📖 Substitutions
📖 Variations
🍽 Equipment
🌡️ Storage
💭 Top tips
❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
🥗 What side dishes to serve with chicken breast air fryer recipe?
🐔 Easy chicken dinner recipes
📋 Recipe
📑 Food safety

❤️ Why this recipe works

Cooking chicken breasts in the air fryer is the perfect way to get juicy, delicious chicken without any fuss.
It's quick and easy to make, and cleanup is a breeze. The total cook time is just 20 minutes.
This is a low carb meal and low in fat.
The air fryer circulates hot air that cooks the chicken evenly and perfectly, resulting in tender, juicy chicken every time.
You can season the chicken however you like or add a sauce or glaze before cooking.
Frozen chicken breast in the air fryer is a great meal prep option - cook once and enjoy delicious chicken all week long for a quick lunch or dinner!
Air fried chicken is a healthier option than traditional fried chicken as it uses less oil and produces a more crisp exterior.
I get it - you might be uncomfortable because the chicken is still frozen. Well, this is the beauty of air fryers: they're good at defrosting and cooking skinless chicken breast, thanks to their unique heating mechanisms. While fresh chicken breasts take less time to cook, the difference isn't huge, so there's no need to take the meat out of the freezer hours before you air fry it.
My favorite thing about frozen chicken breast in an air fryer is that it's so versatile - serve it with rice and vegetables for a complete meal, or shred it and use it in tacos, pizza, or salads.

🐔 Ingredients

One of the great things about air fryers is that they make it possible to have healthy, homemade meals on busy weeknights. This fast and easy recipe is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.

Frozen chicken breasts. I used fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts I bought in bulk, then brought home and froze in a freezer-safe bag.
Olive oil.
Dry rub for chicken, or your favorite chicken seasoning or spice mix. Rub allows flavors to seep into the meat, resulting in extra-delicious chicken and a crispy exterior. I used my favorite chicken rub, but you could also use this other homemade rub that tastes great on chicken. You could also use lemon pepper seasoning or Italian seasoning.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken breasts. They are quick and easy to use, and this is such an easy yet delicious recipe. Let's get started!

Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.

Choose equally-sized frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts and place them in the air fryer basket, evenly spaced in a single layer. Overcrowding blocks air circulation, so do not pack the basket full. It is okay if they are frozen together.

Brush the top and sides of the chicken with olive oil. You could also use a cooking spray as an alternative.

Season the top of the chicken breasts liberally with a dry rub.

Try to cover all the chicken breasts with the same amount of seasoning.

Air fry chicken for 6 minutes, then remove the air fryer basket. Break the chicken apart if it was frozen, and flip it over with tongs.

Next, brush the top of the chicken with olive oil.

Next, apply a dry rub.

Air fry the chicken for another 4 minutes.

Then, turn up the heat to 380 degrees F, cook for 5 minutes, flip the chicken again, and cook for five more minutes. The total cook time will be about 20 minutes.

Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, remove pieces from the air fryer basket. Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Enjoy with your favorite side dishes or dipping sauce!

📖 Substitutions

Since the recipe calls for basic ingredients, you have plenty of room to play around. Feel free to modify the ingredients to suit your tastes. Some great ones to try are:

Chicken breasts: You can also use fresh chicken breast instead of frozen, just reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. You can substitute chicken breasts with skin on them if you like crispy skin.
Spice rub: Use your favorite spice rub for chicken. I used my homemade chicken rub, which contains brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted garlic and pepper seasoning, paprika, chili powder, seasoning salt, onion powder, and black pepper. You could add Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or cayenne pepper to add a different flavor to your chicken breasts. No one wants bland chicken, so be sure to add enough to deliver a delicious flavor.
Oil: Olive oil is a neutral oil that goes great with anything. You could also use avocado oil since it has a high smoke point. Other options are vegetable oil or canola oil.
Garnishes: Parsley, lemon slices, and green onions never hurt! Top the chicken with these before serving for a burst of vibrant flavors.

📖 Variations

You can make endless variations with frozen chicken breasts in your air fryer. You can season them with whatever you like, or keep it simple with just salt and pepper. Some of our favorites include:

Chicken Philly cheesesteaks: Top a cooked chicken breast with cheese, peppers, and onions and grill in the air fryer until the cheese is melted.
BBQ chicken: Flavor your chicken breasts with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cook time.
Chicken Parmesan: I make this if my chicken breasts are already thawed. Dip the chicken breasts in egg and breadcrumbs before frying in the air fryer. Serve with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Fried chicken: This classic Southern dish is crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. Just coat your thawed chicken breasts in a mixture of flour, eggs, and bread crumbs, and then cook until golden brown.
Buffalo chicken: If you're a fan of spicy food, then you'll love this zesty variation. Simply brush your chicken breasts with hot sauce every time you flip them. Then serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks on the side.

🍽 Equipment

To make this boneless chicken breast recipe, you will need an air fryer. There are many different models of air fryers, and they all cook differently. Some are hotter and cook faster than others.

I made these chicken breasts in an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, and they cooked pretty quickly in it. However, I also have a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer with dual drawers, and it cooks a little slower, so the cooking time needs to be increased slightly.

Make sure always to consult the manual. The manual comes with air fryer instructions and crucial safety information.

🌡️ Storage

Have some leftover chicken breasts? Place the chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can also store leftover chicken breast in the freezer for up to 2 months. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag before freezing.

To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then air fry at 380ºF for 4-5 minutes until warm.

💭 Top tips

For best results, make sure that the chicken breasts are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
The total cook time will depend on several factors, including the thickness of the chicken breast and how hot your air fryer is.
Don't use color to measure doneness. The best way to avoid undercooking chicken is by using a reliable meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer; make sure it is 165 degrees F before serving.
All air fryers cook differently, so the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help ensure that they are nice and juicy!

❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How long to cook chicken breasts in the air fryer?

The cook time for frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and how hot your air fryer is, but typically, they will take about 20 minutes to cook.

What temperature do you cook frozen chicken in air fryer?

Cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy, juicy chicken every time. Start the cooking temperature at 360 degrees F, then increase to 380 degrees F after 10 minutes.

Do you need to preheat an air fryer?

Yes, you should preheat your air fryer when cooking frozen chicken. When you preheat your air fryer, you will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and that you get a crispy exterior.

🥗 What side dishes to serve with chicken breast air fryer recipe?

One of the best things about chicken breast is that it goes with many different side dishes. When you're using an air fryer for cooking your chicken, here are a few ideas for side dishes to go with it:

Bacon-wrapped asparagus
Pasta with alfredo sauce or marinara sauce
Smoked Baked Potatoes
Easy Frozen Fries in Air Fryer
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Easy Air Fryer Carrots
Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Oven-Roasted Potatoes - Extra Crispy
Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
Salad, either mixed greens, Greek, or Caesar salad.

🐔 Easy chicken dinner recipes

Simple Two Ingredient Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Frozen Chicken Breast in Instant Pot
Bacon-Wrapped Boneless Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

This easy air fryer frozen chicken breast in air fryer recipe should definitely be on your list of things to make. You don't need to defrost it, and there are dozens of ways you can modify it to your liking!

If you try it out and like it, I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a star rating and/or comment below. 🙂

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You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don't forget to tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch!

📋 Recipe

4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon dry chicken rub link for homemade rub is down below in the notes

Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
Place frozen chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, in a single layer.
Brush the top and sides of the chicken with olive oil.
Season the top of the chicken breasts liberally with dry rub.
Air fry chicken for 6 minutes. Break the chicken apart, and flip over with tongs.
Brush the top of the chicken with olive oil and apply dry rub. Air fry for 4 more minutes.
Turn up the heat to 380 degrees F, cook for 5 minutes, flip the chicken again, and cook for five more minutes.
The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C).
Enjoy with your favorite side dishes or dipping sauce!

Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.

Homemade chicken rub or pork/chicken rub.

Storage:

Have some leftover chicken breasts? Place the chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can also store leftover chicken breast in the freezer for up to 2 months. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag before freezing.

To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then air fry at 380ºF for 4-5 minutes until warm.

Top Tips:

For best results, make sure that the chicken breasts are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
The total cook time will depend on several factors, including the thickness of the chicken breast and how hot your air fryer is.
Don't use color to measure doneness. The best way to avoid undercooking chicken is by using a reliable meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer; make sure it is 165 degrees F before serving.
All air fryers cook differently, so the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help ensure that they are nice and juicy.