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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

    Frozen Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated January 22, 2024 · Published December 4, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Total time: 30 minutes minutes
    5 from 2 votes
    Jump to Recipe Add us as a Preferred Source
    Sliced chicken breast on a blue plate with fries and sauce.

    Cook your Frozen Chicken Breast in Air Fryer for a quick meal that's done in 25-30 minutes! The easy way to get perfectly cooked, juicy chicken breasts, straight from frozen, all ready to serve with your favorite sides!

    Sliced chicken breast on a blue plate with fries and sauce.
    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • What you need to make them
    • How to make them
    • Tips & tricks
    • Recipe FAQ
    • More guides to air frying frozen food
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    I always have frozen chicken breasts in my freezer. It's such a great protein to keep on hand for everything from pastas, salads and wraps to fancy weeknight dinners.

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    I used to have to remember to bring it out in the morning if I wanted to make it for dinner - but not any more! Since I discovered how to cook frozen chicken breasts in my air fryer, now I never need to thaw them.

    Why you will love this recipe

    • It's the best way of cooking chicken from frozen
    • Quicker than when cooking them in the oven
    • Super easy and done in 30 minutes - hands off time!
    • Adjust to your liking with your favorite chicken seasoning

    What you need to make them

    Ingredients needed to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer.

    Ingredient notes

    • Frozen chicken breast: this recipe was created with boneless skinless chicken breast
    • Olive oil can be swapped for another type of vegetable oil, or cooking spray
    • Seasoning: use whatever chicken seasoning you prefer. Here I made it with paprika powder, salt, and ground black pepper but I also love making it with Tanjin or other pre-made spice blends like French, Italian or Cajun seasoning.

    How to make them

    Collage showing how to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer.
    1. Place the frozen chicken breast in a preheated air fryer basket and air fry 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C)
    2. Now the chicken should be thawed on the outside, and you are ready to season. First, brush with oil on all sides.
    3. Then, season with the seasoning of your choice.
    4. Air fry 20-25 minutes at 390°F (200°C), flipping once or twice for an even cook

    Tips & tricks

    • Preheat the air fryer for the very best results
    • If cooking multiple chicken breasts it's best if they're of the same size - otherwise, keep an eye on them individually
    • If your chicken breasts are frozen together separate them after air frying for 5 minutes, or however long it takes them to separate easily. You might need to add a few minutes to the total cook time.
    • Don't overcrowd your air fryer - cook in a single layer and make sure there is space for the air to circulate around the chicken
    • Flip the chicken regularly for an even cook
    • Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked through - it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
    • If the internal temperature is ALMOST where it should be you can remove the chicken from the air fryer and wrap it in foil. The temperature will continue to rise.
    • Adjust cook time depending on the size of the chicken breasts - this can vary a lot! For most sizes, 25-30 minutes will be good.
    • Cook time can vary with different air fryers
    • Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days
    • Reheat leftover chicken breasts in the air fryer at 360°F (180°C) or lower, in 2-minute increments. Slice them first for best results.

    Recipe FAQ

    For more answers to all your air fryer questions, check out my extensive Air Fryer FAQ.

    Is it safe to cook frozen chicken in an air fryer?

    Yes, it's entirely safe to cook frozen chicken in the air fryer. Just make sure you cook it until done, which means the internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C). This is easy if you use an instant-read thermometer!

    How long do you cook frozen chicken breast in an air fryer?

    Cook frozen chicken breast for 25-30 minutes in the air fryer. Always make sure they are cooked through before serving, and add more time if needed.

    Sliced chicken breast on a blue plate with fries and sauce.

    More guides to air frying frozen food

    Looking for more air fryer recipes for frozen food?

    • Frozen Bacon in Air Fryer
    • Frozen Hot Dogs in Air Fryer
    • Frozen Crinkle Fries in Air Fryer
    • Frozen Chicken Patties in Air Fryer
    • Frozen Pork Chops in Air Fryer

    Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
    ...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.

    Recipe

    Sliced chicken breast on a blue plate with fries and sauce.

    Frozen Chicken Breast in Air Fryer

    5 from 2 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: North American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 275kcal
    Cook time: 25 minutes mins
    Preheating 5 minutes minutes
    Total time: 30 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 frozen chicken breast
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • seasoning optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C).
    • Place the frozen chicken breast in the basket and air fry 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C) to thaw.
      1 frozen chicken breast
    • Bring out the air fryer basket and brush the chicken with olive oil, and season as desired. Place back in the air fryer and air fry 10 minutes at 390°F (200°C), then flip the chicken and air fry 10 minutes more. If needed, flip again and air fry 5 more minutes or until done.
      1 tsp olive oil, seasoning
    • Make sure the chicken is cooked through, then serve.

    Equipment (may contain affiliate links)

    • Air Fryer*

    Notes

    This recipe for air fryer frozen chicken patties was created in a Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer*. Cooking time can vary with your air fryer model.

     

    Ingredients notes & substitutions

    • Olive oil can be swapped for another oil, or cooking spray
    • Seasoning: use whatever chicken seasoning you prefer. Here I made it with paprika powder, salt, and ground black pepper but I also love making it with Tanjin or other pre-made spice blends like French, Italian or Cajun seasoning.

     

    Tips & tricks

    • Preheat the air fryer * for the very best results
    • If cooking multiple chicken breasts it's best if they're of the same size - otherwise, keep an eye on them individually
    • If your chicken breasts are frozen together separate them after air frying for 5 minutes, or however long it takes them to separate easily. You might need to add a few minutes at the end.
    • Don't overcrowd your air fryer * - cook in a single layer and make sure there is space for the air to circulate around the chicken
    • Flip the chicken regularly for an even cook
    • Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked through - it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
    • If the internal temperature is ALMOST where it should be you can remove the chicken from the air fryer and wrap it in foil. The temperature will continue to rise.
    • Adjust cook time depending on the size of the chicken breasts - this can vary a lot! For most sizes, 25-30 minutes will be good.
    • Cook time can vary with different air fryers
    • Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
    • Reheat leftovers in the air fryer * at 360°F (180°C) or lower, in 2-minute increments
    Nutritional information is for chicken and oil, excluding seasoning, and assumes half the oil is consumed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Protein: 48g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 836mg | Vitamin A: 68IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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