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Cooking frozen chicken in air fryer * is super easy, and the result is delicious. Depending on the cut of chicken it's done in between 4 and 30 minutes. In this post you'll find cooking times and recommendations for multiple cuts and types of chicken!
Jump to:
- Why you will love this recipe
- What you need to make it
- How to cook raw, un-seasoned frozen chicken
- How to cook pre-seasoned and/or breaded chicken
- How long do you cook frozen chicken in the air fryer?
- How long do you cook frozen breaded chicken in the air fryer?
- Tips & tricks
- More guides to cooking frozen food in your air fryer
- Recipe
- Reviews
Why you will love this recipe
- It's the best way to cook chicken from frozen
- Quicker than cooking it in the oven
- No need to thaw - cook straight from frozen
- Super easy and quick, with very minimal prep
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes
- Frozen chicken - any cut will work, but not a whole chicken. It can be raw or pre-cooked, breaded and seasoned or plain - it doesn't matter.
- Olive oil is not entirely necessary but I recommend it. You can swap it for a neutral cooking oil or cooking spray.
- Seasoning is important if your chicken is not - pre-seasoned. Use your favorite chicken seasoning or try my Air Fryer Drumstick seasoning.
How to cook raw, un-seasoned frozen chicken
- Preheat the air fryer * to 390°F (200°C) and place the frozen chicken in the air fryer *
- Air fry 5 minutes to thaw, then brush with olive oil on all sides
- Season on all sides
- Air fry again. The total time will depend on the cut and size of the chicken and your air fryer *, see guide below for recommended times. Always flip the chicken halfway.
How to cook pre-seasoned and/or breaded chicken
- Brush pre-heated air fryer * basket with olive oil
- Place frozen chicken in air fryer * basket
- Air fry at 390°F (200°C) until done, flipping once halfway. See box below for recommended cooking times.
How long do you cook frozen chicken in the air fryer?
Cook time will vary with the cut of chicken, but also the size of the specific chicken pieces and your air fryer *. The following are good times to start with:
- Chicken tenders: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken wings: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken drumsticks: 15-20 minutes
- Chicken breasts: 25-30 minutes
How long do you cook frozen breaded chicken in the air fryer?
Frozen breaded chicken does not take much longer than non-breaded chicken. Cook time will vary more with the size of the specific pieces, as well as your air fryer *, so you can use the same times to start with.
- Chicken fries: 3-5 minutes
- Chicken nuggets: 6-8 minutes
- Popcorn chicken: 7-9 minutes
- Chicken tenders: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken wings: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken drumsticks: 15-20 minutes
- Chicken patties: 16-18 minutes
- Chicken breasts: 25-30 minutes
Tips & tricks
- Preheat the air fryer * for an even result
- Don't defrost the chicken, cook it straight from frozen
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer * basket - cook chicken in a single layer
- If chicken pieces are frozen together separate them as soon as they are thawed
- Flip the chicken halfway for an even cook
- Use an instant read thermometer * to see if the chicken is cooked through - the internal temperature * should reach 165°F (74°C)
- Adjust cook time depending on the size of the chicken pieces - this can vary a lot, even with the same cut
- Cook time can vary with different air fryers
- Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
More guides to cooking frozen food in your air fryer
Looking for more air fryer frozen food recipes?
- Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
- Frozen Bacon in Air Fryer
- Frozen Jalapeño Poppers in Air Fryer
- Frozen Waffle Fries in Air Fryer
- Frozen Onion Rings in Air Fryer
And don't miss my complete guide to cooking frozen food in the air fryer.
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Recipe
Frozen Chicken in Air Fryer
Print RateServings: 1
Calories: 275kcal
Cook time: 25 minutes
Preheating 5 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 piece frozen chicken
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- seasoning optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C).
Un-seasoned chicken
- Place frozen chicken in the basket and air fry 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C) to thaw.1 piece frozen chicken
- 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 again at 390°F (200°C) for 5-25 minutes, depending on the cut of chicken (see recommended times below)1 teaspoon olive oil, seasoning
- Make sure the chicken is cooked through, then serve.
Pre-seasoned and/or breaded chicken
- Place frozen chicken in the basket and air fry at 390°F (200°C) 4-25 minutes depending on the cut of chicken (see recommended times below).
- Make sure the chicken is cooked through, then serve.
Equipment needed for this recipe
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.
Recommended cook times:
- Chicken fries: 3-5 minutes
- Chicken nuggets: 6-8 minutes
- Popcorn chicken: 7-9 minutes
- Chicken tenders: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken wings: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken drumsticks: 15-20 minutes
- Chicken patties: 16-18 minutes
- Chicken breasts: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients notes & substitutions
- Frozen chicken - any cut will work, but not a whole chicken. It can be raw or pre-cooked, breaded and seasoned or plain - it doesn't matter.
- Olive oil is not entirely necessary but I recommend it. You can swap it for a neutral cooking oil or cooking spray.
- Seasoning is important if your chicken is not - pre-seasoned. Use your favorite chicken seasoning or try my Air Fryer Drumstick seasoning.
Tips & tricks
- Preheat the air fryer * for an even result
- Don't defrost the chicken, cook it straight from frozen
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer * basket - cook chicken in a single layer
- If chicken pieces are frozen together separate them as soon as they are thawed
- Flip the chicken halfway for an even cook
- Use an instant read thermometer * to see if the chicken is cooked through - the internal temperature * should reach 165°F (74°C)
- Adjust cook time depending on the size of the chicken pieces - this can vary a lot, even with the same cut
- Cook time can vary with different air fryers
- Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
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.
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tomás
😀 when i was a kid we always had to thaw the chicken for dinner… for me, now i don't always plan my evening meal sometimes i want chicken but going out and buying fresh is crazy. now i keep a variety of cuts in the freezer, if i want chicken for dinner… it takes half an hour all in! i love my air fryer! usually it's just for sides but chicken is amazing in the af! i spritz some avocado oil on top and season they half way through flip, oil and season… I'll keep this chart handy for different cuts!! but usually i go 385 for like 20-25 minutes… its perfect!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Tomás! Isn’t the air fryer amazing?! I always forget to take food out in the morning, so I’m so happy I figured o it it works to just cook from frozen in the air fryer! /Emmeline