Air-Fryer Chicken: Can You Use Frozen Chicken Breasts?

Cooking frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and healthy way to prepare chicken. It's perfect for those busy weeknights when you forgot to defrost the chicken or are short on time. The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation cooks the chicken evenly, resulting in juicy and tender meat with a crispy exterior. With minimal prep time and a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table in 30 minutes or less.

Seasoning options

Seasoning your chicken breast is a great way to add flavour and make your meal more enjoyable. Here are some seasoning options for your air-fried chicken breast:

Salt and Pepper

A simple yet classic combination, salt and pepper can be used to season your chicken breast before cooking. You can also add other dried herbs and spices to this mixture, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, or Italian seasoning.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a great choice for air-fried chicken breast as it helps to crisp the skin and ensures that the spices and herbs adhere well to the meat. It also helps to keep the chicken moist and juicy.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a popular choice for seasoning chicken breast and can be used in combination with other spices or on its own. It adds a great flavour to the dish.

Onion Powder

Onion powder is another option for seasoning chicken breast and can be used in conjunction with other spices or on its own. It adds a savoury flavour to the dish.

Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is a blend of spices that can add a lot of flavour to your chicken breast. It typically includes a mix of herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.

Paprika

Paprika is a great choice for adding colour and flavour to your chicken breast. It gives the dish a nice "wow" factor, as one source says.

Cayenne Pepper

If you like your food spicy, consider adding cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend. This will give your chicken breast a nice kick.

Brining

Brining is the process of salting meat and letting it rest before cooking. This technique helps to improve the texture and flavour of the meat, making it juicy, plump, and meaty. You can use a wet brine (saltwater solution) or a dry brine (sprinkling the meat with salt).

When seasoning your chicken breast for the air fryer, you can get creative and experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your favourite blend. You can also try using a marinade to add even more flavour to your dish.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer will depend on the size and weight of the chicken breasts. It's recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature. The USDA recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165ºF.

For smaller chicken breasts weighing 4-5 oz, cook for around 20 minutes at 375°F. Medium-sized breasts weighing 6-8 oz will take around 25 minutes, while larger breasts weighing 10-12 oz can take up to 30 minutes.

If your chicken breasts are cutlets of around 0.5 inches thick, they will take around 10 minutes to cook. Smaller pieces of around 1 inch in thickness will take 15 minutes, while medium-sized pieces of 1.5 inches will take 20 minutes. Large chicken breasts of 2 inches or more in thickness can take up to 30 minutes or more.

Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F and cooking the chicken for 30 minutes, flipping the breasts halfway through. However, other recipes suggest cooking in two stages: first at a lower temperature of 375°F for 10 minutes to defrost the chicken, and then at a higher temperature of 400°F for an additional 10-20 minutes to cook the chicken through.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the specific model of the air fryer, so it's always a good idea to check the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed.

Step-by-step cooking instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

Take the chicken breasts out of their packaging and place them in a large bowl or on a flat plate. Pour some oil on top and sprinkle on your desired seasoning mix. Make sure to pat the chicken with the oil and seasonings to ensure they are all covered.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F-400°F (180°C-200°C). If your air fryer has a preheat mode, use that. Otherwise, 3-5 minutes will be enough to heat it up.

Step 3: Cook the chicken for the first time

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 10 minutes to defrost the chicken.

Step 4: Flip the chicken and cook again

After 10 minutes, remove the chicken from the basket and brush it with olive oil and your choice of seasoning. Place the chicken back into the air fryer and cook for another 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Flip the chicken halfway through for even cooking.

Step 5: Check the internal temperature

The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If the chicken has not reached this temperature, add a few more minutes to the cooking time and check again.

Step 6: Rest the chicken

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and wrap it in foil. Let it rest for 7-8 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle, making the chicken even more tender and tasty.

Step 7: Serve

Your chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a salad.

How to defrost chicken in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer without defrosting them first. However, if you would like to defrost chicken in your air fryer, here is a step-by-step guide:

• Lower temperature: Set your air fryer to a low temperature, typically around 250°F (120°C). This will ensure that the chicken defrosts evenly without starting to cook on the outside.
• Time adjustment: The time required for defrosting will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. As a general rule, allow about 10-15 minutes per pound of chicken. Adjust the time as needed.
• Check periodically: During the defrosting process, check the chicken regularly to ensure it is thawing evenly. If you notice any parts starting to cook, lower the temperature or stop the air fryer for a moment to allow the chicken to defrost more evenly.
• Use the defrost setting: If your air fryer has a defrost setting, use it to optimise the defrosting process.
• Flip and rotate: If you are defrosting multiple pieces of chicken, or if your air fryer has a rotating basket, flip and rotate the chicken halfway through the defrosting time to ensure uniform thawing.
• Inspect: Once the chicken is defrosted, check it thoroughly to ensure there are no frozen spots remaining. The chicken should be uniformly thawed and ready for cooking.
• Immediate cooking: It is important to cook the chicken immediately after defrosting it in the air fryer to prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety.

What to serve with air fryer chicken

There are many options for what to serve with air fryer chicken. Here are some ideas:

• Rice: plain steamed rice, Mediterranean rice with veggies, or cilantro lime rice.
• Salad: a simple lettuce, cucumber, and tomato salad, a classic Caesar salad, or a roasted peanut kale salad.
• Vegetables: roasted green beans and carrots, steamed broccoli, or avocado Caesar green beans.
• Potatoes: mashed potatoes or air fryer-baked sweet potatoes.
• Bread: crusty bread or tortillas.
• Pasta: Alfredo pasta, creamy kale pasta, or mushroom gnocchi.
• Sauce: avocado salsa, a house-made gochujang dipping sauce, or honey mustard.
• Other: pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, or Mexican tomato sauce.

Frequently asked questions