Air Fryer Frozen Chicken: Baking Time And Tricks

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen chicken breasts without the need to defrost them first. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts, but generally, it will take around 20-30 minutes to cook frozen chicken in an air fryer. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) to make sure it is cooked properly.

How to cook frozen chicken in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

Take the chicken breasts out of the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is some space between each breast. If your chicken breasts are stuck together, you can separate them by submerging the package in warm water for about 5 minutes. You can also use this time to gather and prepare any sauce or seasoning you want to add to your chicken.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, manually set it to 400° and let it heat up for a few minutes.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

Place the chicken in the air fryer and set the timer. For 4-ounce chicken breasts, the cooking time should be around 20-30 minutes. For larger breasts, you may need to add 10-15 minutes. Smaller cuts of chicken (3 ounces or less) should be checked around 10-15 minutes into the cooking process. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165° Fahrenheit.

Step 4: Flip the chicken

Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken breasts and continue cooking.

Step 5: Add sauce or seasoning

In the last few minutes of cooking, brush the sauce on both sides of the chicken breasts. If you're worried about the sauce burning, you can also add it immediately after removing the chicken from the air fryer.

Step 6: Check the internal temperature

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be 165° Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a salad.

How to store and reheat

Once you've cooked your frozen chicken in the air fryer, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 12 months.

When storing, it is recommended to wrap each piece of chicken individually in foil or place them in an airtight container to prevent excess moisture from affecting the breading.

To reheat frozen air-fried chicken, the best option is to use an air fryer. This method helps maintain crispiness and ensures even heating. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C. If desired, spray or brush the chicken with a small amount of olive oil for extra crispness. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Reheat for 5-10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through to ensure even cooking.

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) when perfectly reheated. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

It is important not to reheat the chicken more than once, as this can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Additionally, it is best to consume the reheated chicken as soon as possible, within 2-4 days of storage.

What to serve with chicken breast

Chicken breasts are a versatile meal option that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chicken breasts:

Salads

Chicken breasts pair well with a variety of salads. You can make a simple salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and your favourite dressing. Or, try something more substantial like a radish and goat cheese farro salad bowl, or a tomato and feta white bean salad. If you're looking for something with a bit of crunch, a kohlrabi and carrot slaw or a cabbage and apple slaw with a honey-lime dressing would be a great option.

Starch Sides

Starch sides such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or rice go well with chicken breasts. For a more indulgent option, try a potato, squash, and goat cheese gratin.

Vegetables

Roasted or steamed vegetables are always a healthy option to serve with chicken breasts. Asparagus, broccoli, green beans, and carrots are all great choices. If you're looking for something a little more unusual, try oven-baked asparagus fries or brown butter radishes.

Heartier Options

If you're looking for something more substantial to serve with your chicken breasts, try making a panini with chicken schnitzel, or serve the chicken with a side of meaty, herbed mushrooms.

Other Ideas

Some other options for sides to serve with chicken breasts include Mexican restaurant-style cauliflower rice, easy lemon-ginger spinach, or 15-minute Parmesan-thyme mushrooms.

Now, onto the cooking method! You can absolutely cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer—no need to thaw them first. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
• Place the frozen chicken breasts in the basket, leaving a little space between each breast.
• Set the timer for 30 minutes. You'll flip the breasts after 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, flip the breasts and cook for another 10-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
• Check the temperature in the thickest part of each breast with an instant-read thermometer to ensure doneness.

Note that the cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Larger, thicker breasts will take longer to cook, so aim for smaller breasts if you want a faster cooking time.

How to cook frozen pre-cooked chicken in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer

Set your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C) and preheat for 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

Take your frozen, pre-cooked chicken out of the freezer and place it in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between each piece of chicken. You don't need to add any oil at this stage.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces. For larger pieces, such as chicken breasts, you may need to cook for 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: Check the internal temperature

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C). If it hasn't, cook the chicken for a few minutes more and check again.

Step 5: Serve

Once the chicken has reached the correct internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and serve with your choice of sides.

Tips

• You can use any type of pre-cooked frozen chicken, such as chicken tenders, nuggets, wings, or breaded chicken breasts.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Flipping the chicken halfway through will help it cook evenly.
• You can use a variety of seasonings on your chicken, such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, or Italian or Mexican seasoning blends.

Tips for the best results

• Preheat your air fryer. This is not always necessary, but it is good to preheat when making breaded chicken to prevent the breading from thawing and becoming soggy.
• Use similarly-sized pieces of chicken. This will ensure that all the chicken cooks in a similar amount of time.
• Arrange the chicken in a single layer and do not stack. This will allow for even cooking.
• Check the internal temperature of each breast, not just one. Chicken is considered cooked at 165°F/74°C.
• A little oil will make the chicken golden brown. However, too much will make it soggy.
• The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F/74°C.

Frequently asked questions