Air frying frozen chicken is a quick and easy way to put a healthy meal on the table any night of the week. With just a few minutes of prep time, you can make juicy, flavorful chicken in your air fryer without having to wait for it to thaw But how long exactly should you cook frozen chicken in the air fryer to make sure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat?
As a busy mom who relies on my air fryer for quick weeknight dinners, I’ve perfected the method for air frying frozen chicken parts from scratch. In this article, I’ll share my tips on cook times so you can air fry frozen chicken breasts, thighs, wings, and more with perfect results every time.
Factors That Affect Cook Time for Frozen Chicken
There are a few key factors that impact how long you need to cook frozen chicken in the air fryer:
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Type and size of the chicken pieces – Chicken breasts generally take longer than chicken thighs or wings since they are thicker. Larger pieces like bone-in breasts or whole legs take longer than smaller boneless cuts.
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Amount of chicken – The more chicken you add to the air fryer basket, the longer the cook time since it’s harder for the hot air to circulate evenly. Don’t overcrowd.
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Temperature setting – Higher temperatures will cook the chicken faster. I recommend 375-400°F for frozen chicken.
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Type of air fryer – The wattage and size of your particular model will affect cook times. My cook times are based on a medium 5.8 qt air fryer.
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Internal temperature – Chicken should always be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any bacteria and make it safe to eat.
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Frozen or thawed – Obviously frozen chicken takes nearly twice as long to cook through compared to thawed. My times are for air frying directly from frozen.
Now let’s get into the ideal air fry times for different types of frozen chicken so you can quickly refer back.
Frozen Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts are a versatile, lean protein choice perfect for everything from healthy weeknight dinners to easy meal prep lunches. Here is how long you should air fry frozen chicken breasts based on size:
- Small (4-6 oz): 15-18 minutes at 375°F
- Medium (6-8 oz): 18-23 minutes at 375°F
- Large (10-12 oz): 23-28 minutes at 375°F
The key is to first air fry the frozen breasts for about 10-15 minutes until thawed and mostly cooked through. Then brush them with oil or spray and add any desired seasonings before cooking for an additional 5-15 minutes depending on thickness.
I like to use my instant read thermometer to check for doneness as breasts can overcook easily. Take them out once they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving for perfectly juicy air fried chicken breasts every time!
Frozen Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are my favorite cut to air fry because they stay so moist and tender even when cooked from frozen. Follow these guidelines when air frying frozen chicken thighs:
- Boneless thighs: 18-22 minutes at 375°F
- Bone-in thighs: 22-28 minutes at 375°F
As with breasts, partially cook the frozen thighs first before adding any oil or spices. Thighs are more forgiving than breasts when it comes to overcooking, but I still recommend pulling them once they reach an internal temp of 165°F.
Frozen Chicken Wings
Crispy air fried chicken wings make a delicious appetizer or game day snack. Here is how long to cook frozen wings in the air fryer:
- Drumettes: 18-22 minutes at 400°F
- Flats: 15-18 minutes at 400°F
- Whole wings: 20-24 minutes at 400°F
Make sure wings are cooked through and register 165°F internally. The skin will crisp up beautifully in the hot air fryer and get deliciously browned and crispy.
Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters
Chicken leg quarters or whole leg pieces take the longest to cook since they contain both the thigh and drumstick. Follow these air fry times:
- Small: 25-30 minutes at 375°F
- Medium: 30-35 minutes at 375°F
- Large: 35-40 minutes at 375°F
I love using leg quarters for easy weeknight meals because they contain both white and dark meat. Apply seasoning after partially precooking from frozen just like the other chicken parts.
Tips for Air Frying Frozen Chicken
Follow these tips for the juiciest, safest air fried frozen chicken every time:
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Always let chicken rest 5 minutes before cutting to prevent juices from running out.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check internal temperature and prevent overcooking.
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Don’t overcrowd the basket – cook chicken in a single layer with space between pieces.
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Flip or shake halfway through cooking for even browning and thorough thawing.
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Lightly oil and season after partially precooking from frozen to prevent burning.
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Add a few minutes to the cook time if air frying with a breading or heavy sauce coating.
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Adjust cook times as needed based on the wattage and size of your particular air fryer model.
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When in doubt, cook frozen chicken a little longer than the minimum time to ensure it reaches safe internal temperature.
Make Your Best Air Fried Chicken Yet
Now that you know exactly how long to cook different cuts of frozen chicken in the air fryer, you can start whipping up quick and healthy meals any night of the week.
Refer back to these air fry times and temperature guidelines for easy reference. Before you know it, you’ll have the method down and be making insanely juicy, tender air fried chicken like a pro.
How Much Frozen Chicken Can You Put in the Air Fryer?
The size of your air fryer basket will determine how much frozen chicken can be cooked at the same time. The frozen pieces need to fit in a single layer without being stacked on top of each other, leaving enough room between them for the hot air to move around.
In my standard air fryer, these are typically round or square, I can fit 2 to 3 large pieces of frozen chicken. In my XL rectangular air fryer, I can fit 5 sometimes up to 6 chicken breasts.
Can You Make Frozen Cooked Chicken in the Air Fryer
If you grilled or pan-seared chicken breasts and froze them, already cooked, for future meals, you can use the air fryer to thaw and reheat them. Technically they’re already cooked.
To make a meal with frozen and cooked chicken breasts, first, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. Then, place the frozen-cooked chicken breasts in the basket in a single layer and heat them up at 375F for 8 to 10 minutes—the total time will vary depending on their thickness.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast (No Thawing)
FAQ
How long do I need to cook frozen chicken in an air fryer?
For frozen chicken in the air fryer, aim for 350°F to cook without drying it out. Cooking time ranges from 25 to 35 minutes, depending on thickness. Thicker pieces need more time.
How long to cook chicken in an air fryer when frozen?
Lightly spray the basket, add the frozen chicken, and air fry at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the internal temperature, and if it’s still not fully thawed, return it to the air fryer for a few more minutes.
How long do I put frozen cooked chicken in the air fryer?
Again, preheat your airfryer to 400℉ (200 ℃ ) cook for 5-7 minutes, and then flip and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. As long as the pre-cooked chicken is fairly small, it should not take longer than 15 minutes to cook. If the cut of chicken is larger, like a breast, it may take 20-30 minutes.