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frozen chicken breast pieces close up.
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5 from 2 votes

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast (6 Methods)

Learn how to cook frozen chicken breast. There are several simple methods to do it: bake, pan-fry boil, grill, air fry, or pressure cook frozen chicken breast pieces.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Chicken Breast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Adina

Equipment

  • Large pot OR
  • Large skillet OR
  • Baking dish OR
  • Grill OR
  • Air Fryer OR
  • Instant pot

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts frozen, Note 1

Boiling:

  • 2 cups water 500 ml
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 1 small onion optional
  • 2 celery stalks optional
  • 1 carrot large optional
  • 2 bay leaves optional
  • 1 teaspoon dried herbs of choice optional

Pan-frying:

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons chicken seasoning
  • fine sea salt and black pepper to taste

Baking:

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning
  • fine sea salt and black pepper to taste

Grilling:

  • cooking spray
  • seasoning
  • fine sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • sauce of choice for basting

Air Fryer:

  • cooking spray
  • 1-2 teaspoons chicken seasoning
  • fine sea salt and black pepper

Instant Pot:

  • 1 cup chicken stock or water and a bouillon cube, 250 ml

Instructions

Boil frozen chicken breast

Pan-fry frozen chicken breast

  • Cook: Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the frozen chicken for 10-15 minutes.
  • Season the upper side with salt, pepper, and chicken seasoning, flip the pieces, and season the other side as well.
  • Cook for another 10-15 minutes or until cooked through. Check the internal temperature.
  • Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Bake frozen chicken breast

Grill frozen chicken breast

  • Preheat the grill to 350°F/ 180°C.
  • Grill the chicken pieces on indirect heat for 10-15 minutes (depending on their size), flipping them halfway through. The pieces should be almost fully thawed by now.
  • Spray the breasts with cooking oil and sprinkle them with spices on both sides.
  • Move them to direct heat and cook them for 10-15 minutes (flipping halfway through) or until cooked through (Note 3). Check the internal temperature.
  • Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Air fry frozen chicken breast

Instant pot frozen chicken breast

  • Place the chicken and 1 cup of liquid in the inner pot. Sprinkle with seasoning.
  • Close the pot and turn the valve to “sealing.”
  • Cook on high pressure:
    Small (6-8 oz/ 170-225 g): 10-12 minutes
    Medium (9-10 oz/ 250-300 g): 13-14 minutes
    Large (12 oz/ 350 g or a bit more) 15-16 minutes
  • Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
  • Turn the steam release valve to the “venting” position to release the remaining steam.
  • Remove the lid and the chicken. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. They might differ in size, so make sure you check the charts regarding the cooking times.
  2. Always check that the chicken is cooked through before serving; the safe internal temperature is 165°F/74°C. It’s best to use a meat thermometer; otherwise, make a small cut into the thickest part of a chicken breast, the juices should run clear, and the meat should be white; no pink or red are allowed.
  3. You can baste the chicken pieces with sauce during the last 5 minutes of the grilling time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 165kcal