Tender frozen chicken breast in the air fryer; these golden chicken pieces are easy to make and ready to serve in no time.
Forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer? No worries! This recipe for air fryer frozen chicken breast will save the day. Or at least dinner! Frozen chicken breast in the air fryer is my most-cooked air fryer recipe and probably my most-cooked recipe overall.
You can also cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer or make Air Fryer Frozen Wings.
Readers say:
Brian: "This is the best recipe for frozen chicken breasts! The chicken breast is so juicy and tender. I love this recipe and the bake times are perfect.
When I serve it I feel so good about it.... Really perfect!"
Christine: "This is a great technique! Chicken turned out perfectly. It took longer in my air fryer so I do suggest using a meat thermometer as directed. This is a life changer.Thank you!"
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Recipe ingredients
You will only need three ingredients: the frozen chicken breasts, a little bit of oil, and some spices (salt, pepper, and whatever else you like).
My basic seasoning is salt, pepper, and sweet paprika powder, but the possibilities are endless. Try other sorts of paprika (smoked or hot), garlic powder, and curry powder.
Try other spice mixtures like lemon pepper, ras el hanout, or sumac for an oriental touch, any chicken seasoning of your liking, Cajun spices, and so on. You can try this Dry Rub for Chicken Wings or the Peri Peri Seasoning (hot!).
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to air fry frozen chicken breast?
Step #1: Spray or rub the frozen breasts with oil and season them on both sides.
Step #2: Cook the frozen meat for 10 minutes in the preheated air fryer.
Step #3: Flip and cook for a further 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Step #4: Check internal temperature (165°F/74°C) and increase the cooking time if the breasts are not done yet.
How long to cook frozen chicken breast?
Generally, cook about 15 minutes per 1 inch (2.5 cm) of thickness. Cooking time depends more on thickness than weight.
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and basket size. Adjust as needed and use an instant-read thermometer (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab); the internal temperature measured by inserting the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat should be 165°F/ 74°C.
Always check the thickest part to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. Undercooked chicken is unsafe.
General cooking times
- ½ inch/ 1.2 cm thick: 10 minutes
- 1 inch/ 2.5 cm thick: 15 minutes
- 1 ½ inches/ 4 cm thick: 20-22 minutes
- 2 inches/ 5 cm thick: 28–30 minutes
How to store and reheat?
This is also a great recipe for meal prep. You can cook 2 or 3 pieces of chicken breasts, refrigerate them airtight once cool, and use them for different meals during the following days.
Refrigerate leftover chicken breast for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Reheat for a few minutes in the air fryer or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
You can also serve the leftovers cold; you can make sandwiches or salads.
Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts Note 1
- oil spray or 1 teaspoon vegetable or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika powder Note 2
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer according to its instructions, mine needs 3 minutes to achieve a temperature of 360°F/ 180°C
- Season chicken: Spray or rub the chicken with oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the spices of choice. Place it in the basket.3 chicken breasts + oil spray or 1 teaspoon vegetable or olive oil + ½ teaspoon sweet paprika powder + ½ teaspoon fine sea salt + ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Air fry for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature; it should be 165°F/ 74°C If the chicken breast pieces are thinner or thicker, adjust the cooking time. ½ inch/ 1.2 cm thick: about 10 minutes1 inch/ 2.5 cm thick: about 15 minutes1 ½ inches/ 4 cm thick: about 20-22 minutes2 inches/ 5 cm thick: about 28–30 minutes
Notes
- Chicken breasts: Total weight of about 500 g/ 1.1 lbs, each breast should weigh about 5.5-6 oz/ 150-170 g and be about 1 inch/ 2.5 cm thick. If the thickness of the breasts is different, please adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Seasoning: Use any spices you like; this is just basic seasoning. You can add garlic powder, use any other sort of paprika (smoked or hot), or any spice mixture you like.
Bob says
Thanks for all the information on these recipes ,cant wait to try my air fryer with chicken.
Stacy says
Wow perfection! So juicy!
Brian says
hello,
this is the best recipe for frozen chicken breasts!
1st 280 degrees and then at 320 degrees!
the chicken breast is so juicy and tender.
I love this recipe and the bake times are perfect.
when I serve it I feel so good about it....
Really perfect!
Adina says
So happy to hear it, Brian. Thank you.
Ellie says
Great recipe! I had to feed 5 kids and forgot to defrost ahead of time. I used this for chicken alfredo and would definitely use it again!
Christine says
This is a great technique! Chicken turned out perfectly. It took longer in my air fryer so I do suggest using a meat thermometer as directed. This is a life changer.Thank you!
Adina says
So happy to hear you liked it.
John Urbana says
It doesn’t say if you need to add water? Or if I can sit on the bottom of the pan or if it needs to be elevated
Adina says
The recipe says everything you need to know, no water, no elevation, or I would have mentioned it. This is an air fryer, not an instant pot (the instant pot needs water and elevation).
Kelley Twitty says
Thank you for the recipe. The chicken cooked perfectly.
Adina says
Thank you, Kelley. I am happy you liked it.
Michelle says
On one hand, it set off my smoke alarm over and over again (the ice and oil mix?) but on the other hand my husband said it was spectacular. I used my new Ninja toaster oven on air fry setting, 10 minutes on one side 10 minutes on the other. I didn't try it since I am vegan, but my husband loved it.
Bob says
@Michelle, did you use a high smoke point oil like avocado or vegetable?
Both have a smoke point of 400 degrees F. or greater. Extra Virgin Olive oil (EVOO) can be as low as 350 degrees F.
Cricket says
This temperature and cooking time were not accurate for the air fryer function integral to my range unfortunately.
Adina says
Sorry to hear that, but that is another kitchen gadget altogether. I use a regular air fryer.
S says
It took an hour to cook my chicken... This is not a good/accurate method.
Adina says
How do you explain that it worked for hundreds of other people?
Anna says
@Adina, ?
Lee Rutter says
Recipes are a guideline, including temperatures and duration. There is a plethora of air fryers, ovens, and other devices and sometimes our situation is either a little bit off, or a lot off.
That is what the comments are for. If you found cooking time was way different, then you need to share with the community because we may also have the same oven/air fryer/gadget that you have.
As well as thickness of the food.
It would have been great if you would have phrased your comment as:
"For me, it was an hour. I have the XYZ Air Fryer and I had to set it at XXX temperature for XX minutes and I was using fresh/frozen chicken breasts that were approx. X" thick.
Adina says
Thank you, Lee.
Marina says
Cooking time not long enough/temperature not high enough
Adina says
It might be your air fryer, it works for the hundreds who reviewed the recipe.
Cricket says
@Marina, I agree, my oven has the air fryer built in and I needed 400 for 35 min for my 1.5" frozen breasts to get them crispy without drying out.
AJ says
I didn't have as good a turnout, trying to go 15 mins with 2 relatively small breasts. I think they must have been slightly thicker - I sliced them & added 6 mins at 360 and they were perfect.
Von Numan says
I just unboxed my first air fryer. Which temperature setting should I use? f or c?
Adina says
Hi, that's up to you, whatever you are more familiar with. I have mine in Celsius because I live in Europe and that's what we use here. But I always indicate both temperatures in a recipe. Have fun with it, it really is a great gadget.
Ashley says
My breasts were frozen and not even half an inch thick. I followed instructions to a T. They were good but slightly tough. Would you recommend cooking longer next time? Is it true the longer they cook the juicier?
Adina says
Hi Ashley. No, the longer you cook them, the dryer they will be. If they are thinner than those I had, you should take them out of the fryer sooner. Best way to check is with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should be 165degrees Fahrenheit.
Gareth Oakes says
When cooking from frozen in the air fryer I sometimes wrap the breast in foil keep them juicy & moist, maybe for the second half of cooking or leave in foil to rest for a minute or 2.
I might use this to have chicken cooked the next day for lunch.
Julie Kirby says
I tried this using mesquite seasoning. My chicken was pretty thick so I cooked it 13 mins & flipped, cooked 13 mins & flipped, checked to see if it was done (it wasn’t) so I cooked for 10 more mins. It probably would have been okay at 8 more mins but I am always a little scared to undercook chicken. It still turned out pretty well and definitely will be a process I will use again. Thank you for sharing!
Adina says
Thank you for the feedback, Julie. I have the same problem with chicken, that is why I prefer to use a meat thermometer, it makes things easier. 🙂
JULIE says
I do have a meat thermometer somewhere but in between moves it’s been misplaced! I should just buy another, but I know if I do as soon as I use the new one I will come across the old one. ?
Adina says
It happens all the time, it's like a law of the universe. 🙂