Frozen Chicken In Air Fryer

5 from 2 votes

Did you forget to defrost the chicken for dinner tonight? I got you! This Frozen Chicken in the Air Fryer is going to be your new best friend – it’s simple, flavorful, and oh-so-juicy! Perfect for last-minute main dishes, salads and wraps, meal prep, and more.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 195kcal

Author: Sara Ayesh

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts 3 chicken thighs I use breasts that are about 1 inch thick.
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons oil

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Instructions

Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees while you prep the chicken.
Remove the chicken from the freezer and set on a plate.
Drizzle with the olive oil and flip over, coat the other side with olive oil.
Season each side of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Place the chicken breasts (2-3 at a time) in the air fryer basket.
At 400 degrees for 20 minutes, cook the chicken. Flip them over halfway into the cook time.
Around the 18 minute mark, check the internal temperature of the chicken. You want it to be 165 degrees before it's fully cooked.
Remove the chicken and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
Slice and serve!

Notes

Storage Directions:

Refrigerator: Once cooled to room temperature, leftover chicken can be kept covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight or on low heat in the microwave.
Reheating: Reheat the leftover chicken breast in a 350°F air fryer for 3-5 minutes or in short bursts in the microwave.

Recipe Tips:

Preheat the air fryer with the basket installed. A hot appliance and basket allow the chicken to begin cooking as soon as it hits the basket. Just as you need to preheat the oven, you need to preheat the air fryer.
Season liberally. The salt and spices not only enhance the chicken’s flavor, but the salt helps lock in moisture. Do not reduce it unless following a low-sodium diet.
Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. This allows the chicken to cook and brown evenly.
Let the chicken rest. Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a plate or cutting board to rest for 5 minutes. This lets the juices redistribute in the chicken, making it ultra juicy. To keep the chicken hot while it rests, tent it loosely with aluminum foil or cover it with a large upside-down bowl.
If needed, cook in batches. Get ahead on meal prep by making a double (or triple!) recipe. Just be sure to cook in multiple batches if your air fryer basket cannot accommodate all the chicken without overlapping.

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