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Learning how to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer is a game changer for busy weeknights — no thawing, minimal prep, and perfectly juicy results every time. This guide shows you how to cook air fryer frozen chicken breast step by step, with tips, variations, and foolproof timing.
For more easy ways to do chicken in the air fryer, try my Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken and Air Fryer Chicken Breasts!
Why you’ll love cooking frozen chicken breast in the air fryer!
Tell me this doesn’t just happen to me: you put chicken on the menu and then forget to take out out of the freezer to thaw.
Uh-oh! There was a time when that meant Plan B for for dinner. But now that I know how to cook frozen chicken breast in air fryer, it just means a little pivot for PERFECT juicy chicken.
You can cook any type of frozen chicken in the air fryer; whether it’s legs, breasts, or wings, the method is the same. To make sure you’ve cooked the chicken to perfection (and food safety standards), use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Zero thawing: Go from freezer to dinner in 20 minutes.
- Juicy results: Crisp edges with tender, flavorful centers.
- Fast and fuss-free: Ideal for last-minute meals.
- Customizable: Add seasonings and sauces to suit your cravings.
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love cooking frozen chicken breast in the air fryer!
- Ingredients for Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Variations
- How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer
- Serving Suggestions
- How To Store Leftovers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients for Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Breast
You’ll find the measurements for each ingredient in the recipe card below.
- Seasonings: Simple salt and pepper is all you need, or choose your own favorite seasoning.
- Frozen chicken breasts: Choose even-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasonings stick and creates a golden exterior.
Variations
- Lemon Pepper Frozen Chicken: Add lemon zest + cracked pepper before air frying.
- BBQ Style: Brush with BBQ sauce in the last 3–5 minutes of cooking.
- Italian Herb: Sprinkle oregano, basil, and garlic powder after flipping.
- Cajun Kick: Use your favorite Cajun rub for bold flavor.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer
- Prepare: Remove the frozen chicken from the packaging, and use clean paper towels to pat it dry. Then, brush both sides with olive oil. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any extra seasonings like garlic powder or paprika you like best
- Air fry the chicken: Arrange the chicken in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry until the chicken cooks through. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken breast from the air fryer, and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer frozen chicken recipe pairs well with all your favorite sides! Some of our favorite pairing options include:
How To Store Leftovers
- To store: Store leftover air fryer chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Or, freeze the chicken for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Gently warm leftovers in the air fryer or the microwave. You can also add it to salads and sandwiches straight from the fridge!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cooking time will depend on the size of the piece of chicken, but most pieces of chicken will cook in 20-30 minutes. If the chicken is thinner, it will be closer to 15-20 minutes, while a thick piece will take close to 30 minutes.
Yes! Cooking the chicken while it is still frozen is totally safe. It will take a few minutes longer but will be just as good.
Your pieces of chicken should have an internal temperature of 165ºF. Make sure to check on your chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. Different sizes of chicken and different air fryers cook differently, making the meat thermometer your best friend when cooking.
Absolutely — as long as the internal temperature reaches 165°F, it’s safe to eat.
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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 frozen chicken breast
- Olive oil to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer basket to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the frozen chicken from the packaging, and use clean paper towels to pat it dry.1 frozen chicken breast
- Brush both sides with olive oil. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any extra seasonings like garlic powder or paprika.Olive oil to taste, Salt and pepper to taste
- Arrange the chicken in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 15-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest the chicken for a few minutes. Then, slice, and serve!
Notes
- There’s no need to defrost the frozen chicken before cooking, but try to use pieces that are about the same size so that they will cook in the same amount of time.
- Make sure to check on your chicken during the last few minutes of cooking since different sizes of chicken and different air fryers cook differently. Again, the meat thermometer is your friend here!
- Work in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. For the best results, leave a bit of space all around the chicken pieces to allow the air to circulate evenly.
This is such a lifesaver for busy days. I love that you can go straight from freezer to air fryer and still get juicy chicken. Definitely adding this to my go-to tricks.
Can’t believe you don’t even need to thaw it!
Definitely making this again!
The directions were easy to follow and the results were amazing.