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5 from 3 votes

Frozen Chicken Breast (Air Fryer)

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts are the perfect dinner when you are short on time or did not plan ahead and take anything out of the freezer to cook. You can season and cook chicken breasts completely from frozen. No thawing needed and they are delicious!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 504kcal
Author: Brianna May

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless chicken breasts 1.5-2 pounds, 1.5-2 inches thick*
  • 1 ½ - 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Dry Rub

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
  • Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and spices. Brush all over both sides of the chicken breast.
  • Air fry at 380 degrees for 14-15 minutes (depending on thickness).
  • Flip the chicken and air fry for another 7-9 minutes at 380 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken breast reaches 165 degrees.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Frozen Chicken Breasts: My chicken breasts took exactly 23 minutes to cook, but this time will vary depending on the size. If you are using thinner chicken breasts (less than 1 inch thick), air fry for only 8-9 minutes per side. These are just estimates. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees. 
Refrigerator: Store leftover air fryer chicken breast in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 
Use chicken breasts of equal size and thickness. This ensures each frozen chicken breast (air fryer) cooks in the same amount of time.
Don’t skip the seasoning. Chicken breasts are pretty plain so it is very important that they are seasoned before cooking to avoid bland chicken. 
Use oil. The oil adds flavor and moisture to the frozen chicken breast (air fryer). Chicken breasts are very lean so a little bit of oil prevents them from drying out. 
Do not stack the chicken. The chicken should be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This allows the chicken to cook and brown evenly. If you have a small air fryer basket, you may need to cook in batches. 
Use a meat thermometer. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees. This is especially important when cooking chicken from frozen. A meat thermometer always prevents you from overcooking the chicken. There is nothing worse than a dry chicken breast! 
Let the air fryer chicken rest. Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This results in juicer meat. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 1311mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g