Cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer is absolutely possible and can result in juicy, tender chicken with a crispy skin when done right. Air frying frozen chicken has some advantages over thawing and cooking the chicken first. Most importantly, it saves you time since you don’t have to wait for the chicken to thaw. Going from freezer to cooked cuts out a whole step!
That said, there are some things to keep in mind when air frying frozen chicken to ensure it turns out well. Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven that uses hot air to cook food. The high heat circulation allows food to cook fast while getting crispy on the outside – similar to deep frying, but without all the oil.
Air fryers work by rapidly circulating very hot air around the food using a fan. This allows the outside surface to quickly reach a high temperature resulting in browning and crisping. At the same time, the hot high-velocity air cooks the inside fast.
Compared to a traditional convection oven, air fryers have faster air circulation and higher temps, which is what gives the crispy “fried” finish with little to no oil. Many air fryers have temperature settings up to 400°F.
Benefits of Cooking Frozen Chicken in an Air Fryer
There are a few reasons why cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer is a great idea:
- It’s faster – Cooking frozen chicken cuts out the thawing time, allowing you to go straight from freezer to table faster.
- Juicy and tender – The circulating hot air cooks food fast, sealing in moisture.
- Crispy skin – The high heat makes the skin nice and crispy.
- No thawing or planning ahead – You don’t have to remember to thaw the chicken in the refrigerator.
- Even cooking – Hot air circulates all around the food for even, consistent cooking.
How Long to Air Fry Frozen Chicken?
How long you air fry frozen chicken depends on a few factors:
- Size and shape of chicken – Smaller thin pieces will cook faster than large thick pieces.
- Bone-in or boneless – Boneless pieces generally cook faster.
- Temperature – Higher air fryer temp = faster cook time.
- Desired doneness – Cook longer for well done.
For guidelines based on cut and doneness, refer to the air fry frozen chicken times chart below:
Air Fry Frozen Chicken Time Chart
| Frozen Chicken Cut | Cook Time at 380°F |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast (1 inch thick) | 14-18 minutes |
| Chicken thighs (bone-in) | 18-22 minutes |
| Chicken drumsticks | 18-22 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 15-20 minutes |
| Chicken tenders | 10-14 minutes |
| Chicken nuggets | 10-12 minutes |
*Times are for fully frozen chicken pieces. Add 2-3 minutes if partially frozen.
For food safety, always check internal temperature using a meat thermometer after air frying. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Tips for Air Frying Frozen Chicken
Follow these tips for crispy, juicy air fried frozen chicken every time:
- Use smaller pieces – Smaller cuts like boneless breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings and tenders work best. Larger pieces may not cook through fully.
- Avoid overcrowding – Leave space between pieces for air circulation. Overcrowding can prevent crisping.
- Use a meat thermometer – Check temperature to ensure chicken reaches safe 165°F internal temperature.
- Adjust cook time as needed – Cook times are a guideline. Adjust up or down as needed based on size.
- Pat off excess ice – Gently pat off any ice crystals so chicken gets crispy vs soggy.
- Brush with oil – Lightly coating the chicken with oil ensures crispy skin.
- Flip halfway – Flipping the chicken halfway will allow both sides to get evenly crispy.
- Let rest before serving – A 5 minute rest allows juices to redistribute for more tender chicken.
Best Practices for Air Frying Frozen Chicken
Follow these best practices when cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer for the absolute best results:
- Completely freeze chicken in a single layer first – This prevents pieces from sticking together.
- Partially thaw very large pieces – Thaw just until slightly soft but still icy. This allows it to cook through.
- Pat off any ice crystals – Gently pat with paper towels to remove ice that can make chicken soggy.
- Brush both sides with oil – A light coating of oil helps the skin get ultra crispy.
- Use a basket insert if needed – Some air fryers come with a mesh basket insert which can prevent sticking.
- Preheat at least 5 minutes – Fully preheating is key for crisping frozen foods.
- Cook at a high temp (380-400°F) – The high heat quickly crisps and cooks the chicken.
- Flip halfway – Flipping ensures even cooking and browning on both sides.
- Check temperature before removing – Meat thermometer should read 165°F for food safety.
- Let rest 5 minutes before eating – This allows juices to redistribute so chicken stays juicy.
Best Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Recipes
Cooking plain frozen chicken in the air fryer is easy, but adding flavors, coatings and sauces can take it to the next level. Here are some of the best air fryer frozen chicken recipes to try:
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These simple crispy air fryer chicken wings need just 3 ingredients. Frozen wings come out juicy inside with an insanely crispy outside everyone will love.
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
All the flavors of chicken fajitas come together fast by air frying. Just sear seasoned frozen chicken with peppers and onion for quick weeknight dinner.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Breaded frozen chicken gets extra crispy in the air fryer. Top with sauce and cheese for easy chicken parm with no pan frying required.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Kid-favorite chicken tenders cook up quick and crisp from frozen. Great for dunking in your favorite sauce or nugget dip.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Why cook frozen chicken nuggets in the oven when the air fryer makes them so crispy? Air frying vs deep frying is so much healthier too.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Frozen chicken thighs or breasts get tossed in a quick homemade teriyaki sauce then air fried until caramelized, tender and saucy.
Common Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking frozen chicken in an air fryer:
Should you thaw chicken before air frying?
Thawing before air frying is not necessary. Smaller frozen chicken pieces under 2-inches thick will cook through fine in the air fryer. For large thick pieces over 2-inches, partially thaw just until slightly soft but still icy.
Does air fried chicken need to be breaded?
Breading isn’t required, but it does add flavor and crunch. The air fryer will make coated frozen chicken extra crispy. Brush with oil before air frying for the crispiest coating.
How do you prep frozen chicken for the air fryer?
Pat off excess ice crystals, brush both sides with oil, and season as desired. Use a basket if needed to prevent sticking. No thawing required for small pieces under 2 inches thick.
Can you put frozen raw chicken straight in the air fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can put raw frozen chicken directly in the air fryer with no thawing. Ensure pieces are not over 2 inches thick and pat off excess ice. Adjust cook times up or down as needed.
Does air fried frozen chicken taste fried?
Air fried chicken tastes remarkably close to deep fried chicken, with a light crunchy crust and moist interior. The air fryer achieves that fried taste by quickly blasting the chicken with hot circulating air to achieve crisping.
Is air fried chicken healthy?
Air fried chicken is healthier than deep fried since little to no oil is used. The air fryer cooks using hot air rather than submerging in fat, so you get all the crispy fried taste without the extra calories and fat.
Conclusion
Air frying frozen chicken is a fast and healthy shortcut to enjoying juicy, tender chicken with an incredibly crispy crust. Preparing frozen chicken for the air fryer takes minimal work – just pat off excess ice, coat with oil and cook at a high temp. In just 15-25 minutes you can skip the thawing and go straight from freezer to crispy, mouthwatering air fried chicken. Give it a try for easy weekday meals, game day appetizers and kid-friendly dinners.