Learn how to bake frozen chicken breast in the oven: it’s quick, easy, and delicious. The perfect dinner solution if you forgot to thaw the chicken.
Can I bake frozen chicken breasts? Probably the question you’ve asked yourself today. The short answer is YES! You can cook chicken breast from frozen. There is no need to remember to take it out of the freezer in time, and there is no need for any gadgets.
Season and bake the chicken directly from frozen. The results are delicious: tender, juicy, flavorful meat ready in no time and perfect for serving as a main dish to make sandwiches or salads.
You can also cook Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer, Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Legs, or learn How to Boil Frozen Chicken Breast. If you have some thighs in the freezer, make some Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs, or learn How to Cook Frozen Thighs in the oven.
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Recipe ingredients
- Frozen boneless chicken breasts. Four pieces for four portions, but actually as many as you like; make sure you use a large baking dish so that the pieces can fit in a single layer.
- Oil: Two tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Seasoning: I usually use my favorite chicken seasoning; it’s fast and convenient. However, you can use any spices or spice mixtures you like, and if all you have are salt and black pepper, that’s fine.
Check out Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks for more seasoning ideas.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preparations: Preheat the oven and lightly grease a baking dish or baking sheet with oil.
- Seasoning: Mix the oil and all the spices in a small bowl. Smear the meat pieces all over with the mixture. Place them into the prepared dish in a single layer.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the food is cooked through (check with a meat thermometer).
- Rest the meat for about 5 minutes before slicing.
At what temperature should I bake the chicken?
- I usually use medium heat, which is 375 degrees Fahrenheit / 180 degrees Celsius. I would not use a lower temperature.
- You can also bake the meat at a higher temperature - 400 degrees Fahrenheit/ 200 degrees Celsius; in this case, the portions will need less time; you should reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.
How long to bake frozen chicken breast in the oven?
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.
Here is a small chart to help you along the way.
- 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.
Always check that the food is cooked, but try not to overcook it, or the meat pieces will dry.
How to check if the chicken is done?
- The safest and easiest way is to use an instant-read thermometer; the safe internal temperature should be 165°F/ 74° C. If you don’t have one, pierce a piece of meat at its thickest; the juices should run clear.
- Or make a small cut into the thickest part of the breast; the flesh should be perfectly white; no pink (or red) is allowed.
Expert Tips
- If you follow a recipe and want to use frozen chicken breast, do the math and add about 50% extra time to the original instructions.
- Rest the meat before slicing to ensure that the juices can redistribute themselves back through the meat. If you cut the breasts immediately after baking, you will have more juice on your cutting board than in the meat.
Recipe FAQ
You should never do that. It takes too long for the meat to reach cooking temperature, increasing the risk of food poisoning.
Sure! Use your favorite sauce, but only add it during the last 15 minutes of baking so that it doesn’t burn. Try BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, sweet chili, or chili sauce.
Yes, you can refreeze the fully cooked meat portions once they are completely cool. Place them in airtight containers; they will be fine for about 3 months.
NEVER refreeze thawed yet uncooked food again.
Refrigerate the leftovers for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat or serve cold.
How to serve?
As a main dish with any potato side dish, rice, or pasta. Try these delicious Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Cast-Iron Potatoes, Garlic Butter Noodles with Parmesan, Easy Chimichurri Rice, Jollof Rice, Buttered Rice, and so on.
Serve on top of a salad with Yogurt Dressing or Raspberry Vinaigrette.
Make sandwiches, chicken salad, Red Sauce Enchiladas, burritos, and so on. Try our Romanian Beouf Salad or Grilled Peach Salad.
More frozen food recipes
Recipe
How to Bake Frozen Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 frozen chicken breasts about 8 oz/ 225 g
- 2 tablespoons oil olive or vegetable oil + a bit extra for greasing the dish
- 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning Note 1
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/ 180°C and lightly grease or spray a baking dish with oil.
- Season: Mix the oil and spices in a small bowl. Brush the chicken breasts all over with the mixture. Place them in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until cooked through; the internal temperature should be 165°F/ 74°C (Notes 2,3).
- Rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use your favorite ready-made chicken seasoning or spices or spice mixtures.
- The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken pieces and the oven.
- 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.