Air Fryer Frozen Chicken: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Cooking frozen chicken breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender chicken breast. It is also a versatile dish that can be used in sandwiches, salads, and more.

To cook frozen chicken breast in an air fryer, first, preheat the air fryer to between 360–400°F. Then, season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs of your choice. You can also make a sauce to brush onto the chicken breast during the last few minutes of cooking. Place the chicken breast in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken breast and cook for another 10–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

How to season frozen chicken breast for the air fryer

Seasoning your chicken breast is a great way to add flavour to your meal. The best thing about seasoning is that you can experiment with different spices and herbs to create your own unique blend. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Salt and pepper are the most basic seasonings and a must-have for any chicken dish.
• Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil and black pepper are also popular choices and can be combined to make a simple seasoning blend.
• For a more oriental taste, try lemon pepper, ras el hanout or sumac.
• If you like it hot, add some cayenne pepper or try a Peri Peri seasoning blend.
• Other options include curry powder, Cajun spices, chicken seasoning blends, or a dry rub for chicken wings.

When it comes to applying the seasoning, you can either spray or rub the frozen chicken breasts with oil first and then sprinkle the spices on top, or you can combine the oil and spices in a bowl to create a paste that you then rub onto the chicken.

Remember, the key to a tasty dish is to be creative and experiment with different flavours until you find your favourite blend!

How to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen chicken breasts
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Other spices of your choice (e.g. paprika, cayenne pepper, dried basil, cumin, oregano)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F.
• Sprinkle salt on both sides of the frozen chicken breasts.
• Prepare your seasoning mix by combining your chosen spices in a small bowl.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the basket and rub them with olive or avocado oil and the spice mix.
• Put the chicken breasts back into the air fryer and cook for another 10-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• You can experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness and weight of the chicken breasts. Thicker breasts may need longer, while thinner breasts may be ready in as little as 20 minutes.
• It is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, to ensure it is fully cooked.
• If your chicken breasts are stuck together, submerge the package in warm water for about 5 minutes to separate them.
• You can also make a sauce to brush onto the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking, or serve on the side as a dip.

How long to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer

The cooking time for frozen chicken breast in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken breasts. Small chicken breasts (4-5 oz) will take around 20 minutes to cook, medium breasts (6-8 oz) will take 25 minutes, and large breasts (10-12 oz) will take 30 minutes. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, and it is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F to ensure it is safe to consume.

To cook frozen chicken breast in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F. Then, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each breast, and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 10-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the breasts. Check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F before removing it from the air fryer.

Some tips for cooking frozen chicken in the air fryer include using an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, arranging the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and not overcrowding the air fryer. Additionally, it is not necessary to add extra oil if using a glaze or sauce.

Frozen chicken breast cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of sides, such as air fryer baby potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, baked sweet potato, or garlic bread. It can also be used in sandwiches, salads, or as a topping for pizza.

What temperature to cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer

Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

You can cook frozen chicken breasts in an air fryer without defrosting them first. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is 375°F. However, if you are cooking chicken straight from frozen, you should initially cook it at a lower temperature of 360°F or 375°F for 10 minutes to allow it to defrost.

Once the chicken has defrosted, you can then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 10-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Tips for cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer—arrange the chicken in a single layer.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken breasts. Small breasts (4-5 oz) will take around 20 minutes to cook, medium breasts (6-8 oz) will take around 25 minutes, and large breasts (10-12 oz) will take around 30 minutes.
• You can experiment with different seasonings to add flavor to your chicken.

What to serve with frozen chicken breast from the air fryer

There are many options for what to serve with your air-fried chicken breast. Here are some ideas:

• Salads, such as a simple lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad, a classic Caesar salad, or a spinach strawberry salad.
• Potatoes, such as roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or air fryer baked sweet potato.
• Rice, such as plain steamed rice or Mediterranean rice with veggies.
• Vegetables, such as roasted green beans and carrots, steamed broccoli, or air fryer frozen asparagus.
• Fingerling smashed potatoes.
• Simple white cabbage salad.
• Garlic bread baguette.

You can also add your chicken to dishes such as pasta, pizza, stir fry, sandwiches or wraps.

Frequently asked questions