Bake frozen chicken breast in the oven without thawing it first. The chicken is seasoned straight from the freezer and ready in about 50 minutes.
You can bake frozen chicken breast without thawing it first. I season the frozen pieces with oil and spices, place them in a baking dish, and cook them until they reach 165°F/74°C in the center.
This is a very simple recipe, but it is one I use whenever I have forgotten to take the chicken out of the freezer. You only need the frozen chicken, a little oil, and your favorite seasoning.
The exact cooking time depends mostly on the size and thickness of the breasts. Medium pieces weighing about 8 oz/225 g usually need 35-45 minutes at 375°F/180°C. Smaller pieces will be ready sooner, while very large ones can take closer to 55 minutes.
The chicken breasts must be frozen separately rather than stuck together in a solid block. Serve them as a main dish or slice the cooked meat for sandwiches and salads.
You can also learn How to Boil Frozen Chicken Breast or make Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer. For dark meat, try How to Cook Frozen Thighs in the Oven.
Ingredients: 3 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4 | Difficulty: Easy
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Gail V: I frequently make this for myself with one frozen breast and fill the rest of the pan with thickish slices of sweet potatoes/yams.
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Recipe ingredients
Frozen chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless breasts that have been frozen separately. They should fit in the baking dish in a single layer without overlapping.
Oil: Olive or vegetable oil helps the seasoning stick to the frozen meat and keeps the surface from becoming dry.
Seasoning: I usually use chicken seasoning because it is quick and convenient. You can use any spice mixture you like or simply season the meat with salt, pepper, paprika, and a little dried oregano.
- Check out Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks for more seasoning ideas. Or you can use this Dry Rub for Chicken Wings.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to bake frozen chicken breast?
Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F/180°C. Lightly grease a baking dish or baking sheet.
Step #1: Mix the oil and seasoning in a small bowl. Brush the mixture over the frozen chicken breasts and place them in the dish in a single layer.
Step #2: Bake the frozen chicken breasts for 35-45 minutes, depending on their size. Very large or thick pieces may need up to 55 minutes.
Check the internal temperature in the thickest part of each breast. It should reach 165°F/74°C. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Oven temperature for frozen chicken breast
Bake frozen chicken breast at 375°F/180°C. This temperature allows the center to cook through without the outside becoming too dry.
You can also bake it at 400°F/200°C, but start checking several minutes earlier, as it will cook more quickly. I would not use a temperature lower than 350°F/175°C for frozen chicken.
Baking time
The rule of thumb is about 50% longer than you would bake thawed pieces. However, the exact cooking time depends on the thickness of your chicken breasts and your oven.
- Small, 4-6 oz/110-170 g: 30-40 minutes
- Medium, about 8 oz/225 g: 35-45 minutes
- Large, more than 8 oz/225 g: 45-55 minutes
Start checking at the lower end of the recommended time. If the chicken breasts differ in size, check each one separately and remove smaller pieces when they are done.
How to check if the chicken is done?
The safest way to check the chicken is with an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast without pushing it all the way through to the baking dish. The internal temperature should be 165°F/74°C.
If you don't have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part; the flesh should be perfectly white; no pink (or red) is allowed. However, a thermometer gives you a much more reliable result and also helps prevent overcooking.
Tips
The chicken breasts must be separated before baking. This method will not work properly if they are frozen together in one solid block.
Bake the chicken uncovered and arrange the pieces in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
Don't rely on the baking time alone. Frozen chicken breasts vary greatly in size and thickness, so always check the internal temperature.
You can brush the chicken with barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, or sweet chili sauce during the final 10-15 minutes. Don't add a sugary sauce at the beginning, as it may burn before the chicken is cooked.
Frozen chicken should not be cooked in a slow cooker because it takes too long to reach a safe temperature.
Storage
Refrigerate the cooked chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Serve it cold or reheat it gently until hot throughout.
You can also freeze the fully cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Use leftovers for sandwiches, Grilled Peach and Chicken Salad, Red Sauce Enchiladas, or Romanian Beouf Salad.
What to serve with chicken breast?
Serve on top of a salad with Yogurt Dressing or Raspberry Vinaigrette.
Do you like this recipe?
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Baked Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 frozen chicken breasts boneless, skinless, each one about 8 oz/ 225 g, Note 1
- 2 tablespoons oil olive or vegetable oil + a bit extra for the dish
- 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning Note 2
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/ 180°C and lightly grease or spray a baking dish with oil.
- Season: Mix the oil and seasoning in a small bowl. Brush the mixture all over the frozen chicken breasts and arrange them in the prepared dish in a single layer.2 tablespoons oil + 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning + 4 frozen chicken breasts
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. Very large or thick pieces may need longer (Notes 3,4).
- Rest: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Frozen chicken: The breasts must be frozen separately, not stuck together in a solid block.
- Seasoning: Use your favorite chicken seasoning or spice mixture. Salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried oregano also work well.
- The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken pieces and the oven.Â
- Small (4-6 oz/ 110-170 g): 30-40 minutes
- Medium (about 8 oz/ 225 g): 35-45 minutes
- Larger than that: 45-55 minutes.
Theresa says
Thank you for a very simple recipe using my frozen chicken breasts!
Gail V says
I frequently make this for myself with one frozen breast and fill the rest of the pan with thickish slices of sweet potatoes/yams.
Christine says
Did you make your own chicken seasoning or did you buy it ?
Adina says
Hi. In this case (when I took the pictures), I used a bought seasoning mixture so that people can see that they can use anything they like. It really doesn't matter what it is, use whatever you enjoy, either bought or homemade. Salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika or oregano work great too.
S new says
Do you need to cover the chicken as it bakes?
Adina says
No.
Lisa says
I'm gonna try that recipe but my question is still not answered it's on the same idea but my med sized chix breast is skinless and boneless and frozen do I do it the same way as this recipe? Need a quick answer if possible
Adina says
Hi Lisa. This recipe is for boneless skinless chicken breast.