How to cook frozen chicken in air fryer is here! We will explain the temperature and cook time it takes for all pieces, from Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer to drumsticks, breasts, wings, thighs and even a whole bird! NO defrosting necessary, just throw it into your Cosori or Ninja Foodi to crisp dinner tonight.
Frozen chicken in the air fryer is an easy one pot meal to make. In just about 30 minutes you too can make dinner quick with no thawing required beforehand. Use boneless skinless chicken or bone-in for a bit more time. Many of our favorite air fryer recipes are here. (affiliate links present)
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken
Above are the breaded Foster Farms like bagged tenders that your kids always love. Great for a quick protein packed meal for teens after school. For a healthier option though you can give our Frozen Chicken Tenderloins in Air Fryer a whirl. Just dump out of the bag with a bit of sauce to get insides tender with crisp outside.
Another favorite appetizer or finger food for dinner are Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer. With your favorite sauce you will be super surprised at how well these turn out in the basket. Great way to toss with bbq for some and make a few others teriyaki or with Frank’s Hot Sauce.
If you love extra crispy food and quick recipes, here are some resources to start with:
- My Favorite models are this Cosori or for a dual machine, the Foodi.
- You can find more Ninja Foodi recipes here as well; bookmark them both!
- It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. this is how to preheat air fryer first.
- Here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken in Air Fryer
Air Fryer frozen chicken breast is the most versatile for sure. You can season the outside and enjoy right out of the basket or then chop it up and make things like chicken salad, throw it into a soup, into tacos or whatever you’re craving at the time. 😉
- If you ask kids what they love, Frozen Chicken Patties in Air Fryer might be top on their list. Slapped on a Hawaiian bun with some lettuce and tomato and bam, dinner is done on busy days!
- Little ones might like Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets better because they are more fun to dip, for sure. Use the oval shapes or Foster Farms Dino versions are great too, same timing.
For a healthier meal though, Frozen Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer is the way to go. Lather some barbecue sauce on the skin and it will bake right on caramelizing just a bit. OMG I know right, sounds amazing and they are this way.
Can you cook frozen chicken in Ninja Foodi?
Yes! You can actually do this with both functions. Since you can pressure cook with this multi function machine too, you can choose which you prefer. This one will give you a crisp on the outside while the lid that is not attached will keep it super duper tender.
Many times I go with whatever is on sale at the store. Frozen Chicken Legs in Air Fryer are usually a winner. Easy to serve and quick to crisp up they are great sauced or just lightly seasoned. Since they start off rock hard you won’t be able to get that fried chicken breaded texture but can sprinkle on some at the end to get it just a bit.
If you have a Trader Joe’s near you just grab one of those bags and throw it right into your Foodi or AirWave. Use the sauce that comes with it to make an Air Fryer Orange Chicken Frozen dinner.
You can even cook a Frozen Whole Chicken in Air Fryer!! I mean it needs to be on the smaller side to fit since you cannot bend it at all to fit but it can be done.
Same thing goes with how to cook Cornish hens this way. Literally doesn’t matter whether they are fresh or not. The timing really doesn’t vary a lot.
Cooking Frozen Meat in an Air Fryer
We explain to you below How to Cook Frozen Chicken without Thawing below. I have covered all the basis really as far as the parts and pieces go. There are variations as far as the cook times go of course depending on the size of each piece. I do have a few tips and tricks before you get started that you should follow such as;
Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Recipe
- You should always preheat air fryer basket to the temperature you want for 5 minutes.
- Lay frozen food in a single layer without overlapping.
- It is best to flip halfway thru, especially when you cook frozen chicken breasts in air fryer cooking because they are rather thick. You want to rotate so one side doesn’t get too brown.
- Use olive oil spray to make outsides crispier, it is then you can add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder etc. so it will stick.
- Before eating always use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat.
Make sure all poultry reaches a safe temperature of 165 degrees F. Remember that it will rise about 5 more degrees as it rests too. You want it to sit before slicing to maintain juices inside or they will just run right out and it will get dry.
You can but it isn’t recommended. The quality of the chicken may deteriorate if it has been frozen, thawed, and refrozen again. Each time you freeze and thaw meat, moisture loss can occur, potentially making the meat drier when cooked.
If you initially thawed the chicken in the refrigerator and it remained at a safe temperature (below 40°F or 4°C) throughout this process, it can be refrozen. This is because refrigeration slows down bacterial growth
Frozen Chicken in Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 8 chicken wings, frozen
- olive oil spray
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
- Air fryer frozen chicken wings – Place wings in air fryer basket so they aren't overlapping. Close drawer and set to 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Open, flip each one over and set again for 400 degrees for 10 minutes. After 5 minutes spray top with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper (or brush on bbq sauce now). Check, if you want crisper add a few minutes and check again.
- Air fryer whole chicken – Bird should be 3-4 lbs. Preheat air fryer to 350 for 5 minutes. Remove chicken from plastic packaging and rub olive oil all over. Sprinkle seasonings of choice on top on to stick. Spray inside of basket and set chicken in with breast facing up. Close and cook for 10 minutes. Open, if there are giblets in the cavity you should be able to pull it out now. Flip chicken over and cook for 25 minutes. Then open once again and flip over the final time. Air fry for another 20-25 minutes or until thickest part of breast reaches 165 degrees F.
- Air fryer chicken breast frozen – Put frozen chicken breasts in your air fryer basket. Spray tops with olive oil spray and sprinkle seasonings of choice on top. Close basket and cook at 360 degrees for 15 minutes or until thickest part reaches 165 F.
- Frozen air fryer chicken thighs – Place frozen chicken thighs in air fryer basket with skin side facing up. (if stuck together run water over the top so they separate). Poke top with a fork 1-2 times. Set to 350 F for 20 minutes (timing will depend on size, these were on the smaller size). After 10 minutes spray tops with olive oil and sprinkle on seasonings or brush on sauce. Ensure they are 165 F when done.
- Air fryer frozen drumsticks – Spray inside of basket with olive oil. Place frozen chicken legs in air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 360° and cook for 15 minutes. Open, spray with olive oil, sprinkle on seasonings on top, then flip the chicken legs over and do the same thing with oil and seasonings. Cook for another 15 minutes or until they reach 165 internally.
- Air fryer frozen chicken tenderloins – Brush outsides with olive oil. Mix seasonings in a bowl and roll each tenderloin in it is they are coated on both sides. Preheat the air fryer to 380 F. Transfer to the air fryer basket and air fry for 10 minutes, then use tongs to flip each to the other side and bake for another 5-7 minutes or until 165 F.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
