Cooking Frozen Grilled Chicken Breast

Cooking frozen grilled chicken breast to tender and juicy is a game changer. Grilled on your barbecue or Traeger, this is how to keep it moist. Whether you add sauce or not, how to cook frozen chicken comes in handy when you’re forgetful.

Traeger Frozen Chicken

This isn’t technically one of our easy smoker recipes but we still use our Traeger grill and smoker to make this quite often. It doubles as a barbecue as you’re only really smoking food when the temperature is 250 F or lower. If you have a charcoal grill vs. a pellet grill no worries, I will explain both of them below.

Can you put frozen meat on a Traeger grill?

Yep, you just may not get the smoke flavor, not a big deal. You will use the upper grate at the beginning and then rotate to direct heat once you thaw chicken thighs or breasts all the way thru. That way you can defrost and still get those desired grill marks on the outside.

Can You Grill Frozen Chicken?

Yep, that is what we are going to talk to you about here. During the winter months I typically make frozen chicken breasts in oven until they are moist. When it is warm though we are all about being outside, always. Barbecuing frozen chicken is just as easy as if they were fresh really, just a bit more adjusting.

Frozen Grilled Chicken

Let’s talk about the meat you should choose. I buy a bunch in a bag from the grocery store. There are a few options as far as those go though. For the best results you should choose boneless skinless without rib meat.

Timing below reflects this style. With bones will take longer and is harder to grill evenly all the way through.

You do not want them too thick or else the outside will start to get too done and dry out before the center can come to a safe internal meat temperature of 165 degrees F.

If you have a grill with a higher rack above your grate that is ideal. That way you can set them on the top when they are rock hard to slowly defrost before you set them closer to the flame. Thus, the two steps necessary to take when they aren’t defrosted yet.

If you don’t have two different racks you will just need to start with indirect heat and then slide over once they have thawed almost entirely.

Beyond the meat the ingredients and seasonings are really up to you. You’ll need to wait until after the first step of thawing to sprinkle anything on or else it won’t stick. As for brushing on barbecue sauce or some of our homemade teriyaki sauce, do so the last 5 minutes of cooking for best results.

Frozen Chicken on the Grill

That way you can ensure it is cooked already and just work on browning the sauce and turning it more golden brown into a thicker glaze on top. This is what you are going to need to get started;

1. A bag of frozen breasts, or if you froze a tray of white meat chicken from fresh that works too
   1. I always suggest boneless, skinless, medium size that are organic and grass fed – just my preference as I feel like there is a big texture difference when they aren’t allowed to be free range.
   2. I’ve never made breaded chicken breast pieces this way so I cannot talk about those
2. Salt and pepper at least for flavor
3. Sauce or your choice or sprinkle on a dry rub during the last few minutes of cook time

And then of course you’ll need your grill with either charcoal or wood for frozen chicken on a pellet grill.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken on the Barbecue

If you are using a charcoal grill you will want to wait until the grill is heated completely and the coals have turned white. That way the heat will be more steady.

• Preheat grill to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chicken straight over the indirect heat for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • The chicken should be thawed or nearly thawed at this point before moving.
  • Timing will vary quite a bit depending on how large yours are
• Then move your pieces to the grill grates to heat over direct heat.
  • Season chicken breasts with our dry rub or just salt and pepper.
  • Grill for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through until chicken is no longer pink in the center and a thermometer inserted in the center, chicken is cooked at 165 degrees.
• Allow to rest after removing from grill for at least 5 full minutes. Best if brushed with barbecue sauce or teriyaki at the end to add moisture and flavor.

Remember that once you remove meat from the heat source to let them rest the internal temperature will continue to rise 5-10 degrees more. So if you take them off at about 160 F. and cover once removed with foil they shouldn’t dry out. Total process will take about 30 minutes to get fully cooked grilled chicken breast this way.

How to Grill Frozen Chicken

If after all of this you still aren’t convinced, or you really want to cook them thawed, this is how to defrost chicken in microwave. Then bake or grill however you’d like. 😉

You could use these steps for all other cuts as well. Chicken wings would take less time but would need to be roasted like these are just the same. We share here how to grill frozen burgers which turn out quite well too. Try it! Serve with pesto potatoes and a side salad!