Air fryer frozen chicken breasts are tender and juicy on the inside, with a slightly crispy exterior. You will love how perfectly they cook using the air fryer.
When it is time for dinner, you forgot to defrost your boneless skinless chicken breast, and you need to serve dinner, and then you start wondering if you can make frozen chicken in an air fryer.
There are not many differences between fresh or frozen chicken when you are cooking in the air fryer, except you need to double the cooking time. Or cook the frozen chicken breast in the air fryer until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
This chicken recipe is healthy low carbs, low fat, and low sodium. We are using a seasoning from traders joes to make the flavors without sodium and seasoned with salt and pepper to our personal preference.
This post will show you how to season frozen chicken breast, the safe way to cook frozen chicken using the air fryer, different cooking time depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, and a few tips.
If you have the air fryer lid and the instant pot pressure cooker but like the taste and texture of roasted chicken breast, this recipe is perfect for you because cooking chicken with the instant pot air fryer lid is quick and easy.
How to season frozen chicken?
To season frozen chicken breast, you need to brush it with a little olive oil to ensure the seasoning sticks to the chicken breast's surface. You will then sprinkle your favorite seasoning; ( in my case, I love 21 salute seasoning from Trader Joe's because it tastes incredible with air fry chicken and because it does not have salt) And season with salt and pepper to taste.
Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Chicken in the air fryer?
Yes, it is safe to cook the frozen chicken as long as you follow these basic rules. Cook the chicken breast for at least double the time you might cook the thawed chicken breast. Secondly, spread out the chicken into a single layer to cook safely (this one is so important if you are cooking frozen chicken in
If you want to learn more about the safety of cooking chicken check this article from the FDA.
How to air fry frozen chicken breast?
For this recipe, I used frozen chicken breast and cooked it using the instant pot air fryer lid, but it is a recipe you can make in any air fryer brand you have and always use an instant meat thermometer.
STEP 1. Using a silicone brush, coat the chicken breast with olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste on both sides, sprinkle with 21 salute seasoning on both sides.
STEP 2. Place the chicken breast inside the air fryer basket and cook at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes (for 1 1/2-inches thick). Flip the chicken breast halfway through (the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breast). Here are some guidelines to help you with cooking time.
1/2-inch thick: 18 to 20 minutes at 375ºF
1-inch thick: 30 minutes at 375ºF
1 1/2-inches thick: 40 minutes at 375ºF
2-inches thick: 50 minutes at 375ºF
STEP 3. Remove chicken breast from the air fryer once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and let sit for 5 minutes to maintain juices before slicing.
Recipe Tips
Store your frozen chicken in a single layer or use zip log bags to freeze your chicken breast separated.
Use your favorite salt-free seasoning with frozen meat; you need to add more seasoning than salt to add flavor to the chicken; otherwise, the chicken breast will be bland.
Why do you need to let the meat rest before slicing?
Letting the meat rest permits the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat's fibers. If you skip resting, you will lose more flavorful juices when the meat is cut.
How long to air fry frozen chicken breast
The cooking time for frozen chicken breast will be determined by the thickness of the chicken breast because, by pounds, it doesn't do so well with the air fryer.
1/2-inch thick: 18 to 20 minutes at 375ºF
1-inch thick: 30 minutes at 375ºF
1 1/2-inches thick: 40 minutes at 375ºF
2-inches thick: 50 minutes at 375ºF
Remember that you’ll want to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF, so these times are just a general jumping-off point. If your chicken hasn’t reached the correct temperature, flip it over and cook in 5-minute intervals until it’s done.
Can you cook frozen chicken breast in an air fryer?
This is an often asked question. Yes, you can cook frozen chicken breast in an air fryer as long as you cook them in a single layer, and it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
What to serve with air fryer chicken
Air fryer brussels sprouts are a great side dish.
As well as our air fryer corn on the cob.
Or a simple green salad for a quick lunch.
Looking to try more air fryer recipes
Try our air fryer chicken tenders; no breading is perfect for dinner or game night.
Our air fryer turkey tenderloins only require three ingredients and are juicy and perfect for a quick dinner.
Try this air fryer blackened salmon with our strawberry salsa
For more air fryer recipes visit our air fryer category.
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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
Air fryer frozen chicken breasts are tender and juicy on the inside, with a slightly crispy exterior. You will love how perfectly they cook using the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 skinless and boneless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon 21 salute seasoning from trader joes (or your favorite salt-free seasoning)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Using a silicone brush, coat the chicken breast with olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste on both sides, sprinkle with 21 salute seasoning on both sides.
- Place the chicken breast inside the air fryer basket and cook depending on the thickness of the chicken breast:
1/2-inch thick: 18 to 20 minutes at 375ºF
1-inch thick: 30 minutes at 375ºF
1 1/2-inches thick: 40 minutes at 375ºF
2-inches thick: 50 minutes at 375ºF - Turn the chicken breast halfway through (the cooking time will depend on your chicken breast thickness, add extra minutes if needed).
- Remove chicken breast from the air fryer basket once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- If you don't have the 21 salute seasoning; use your favorite salt-free seasoning or make your spices blend without salt.
- If you are cooking frozen meat, you need to add more seasoning than salt to add flavor to the chicken; otherwise, the chicken breast will be bland.
- Depending on the air fryer you own, choose the setting air fry. I make this recipe using the instant pot air fryer lid
- If you want to store your fresh chicken in the freezer, it is best to do it in a single layer or use zip log bags to freeze your chicken breasts.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 37g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
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