How Long Should You Cook Frozen Chicken in the Oven? A Detailed Guide

Cooking frozen chicken in the oven can be a convenient and easy dinner option when you’re short on time. However, to ensure safe and properly cooked chicken, it’s important to understand how long to bake frozen chicken parts like breasts, thighs wings etc. This detailed guide provides tips techniques and cooking times to help you perfectly oven-bake frozen chicken every time.

Can You Cook Frozen Chicken in the Oven?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely cook frozen chicken directly in the oven without thawing it first. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Cooking times will be longer – Frozen chicken can take 50-100% longer to cook than fresh or thawed chicken This extra time is needed to safely cook the chicken through to the proper internal temperature

• Use a meat thermometer – Always check the internal temperature of chicken to determine doneness, regardless of cooking time. Chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F.

• Avoid slow cookers/crockpots – Slow cookers may not heat frozen chicken quickly enough to avoid bacteria growth.

• Increase oven temperature slightly – Cooking at 350-375°F helps compensate for the increased cooking time.

So as long as you account for the longer cooking time and use a thermometer, baking frozen chicken in the oven is perfectly safe.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts

Boneless, skinless frozen chicken breasts need 30-45 minutes in a 350°F oven. Bone-in breasts take 45-60 minutes. The cook time depends on the size and thickness of the breasts, so start checking temperature after 30 minutes.

Here are some more specific oven bake times for frozen chicken breasts:

• 4-6 oz boneless breasts – 35-40 minutes
• 6-8 oz bone-in breasts – 50-55 minutes
• 10 oz bone-in breasts – 60-65 minutes

The best way to ensure doneness is to use an instant read thermometer. Chicken breasts should reach 165°F at the thickest part. If they haven’t reached the proper internal temp after the estimated bake time, continue cooking and checking every 5 minutes until done.

Let the chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier results.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs have more fat and connective tissue than breasts, so they require a longer cook time. Most frozen chicken thighs need 60-80 minutes in the oven at 350°F.

For reference, these are estimated oven bake times for frozen chicken thighs:

• 4 oz boneless thighs – 60-65 minutes
• 6 oz bone-in thighs – 70-75 minutes
• 8 oz bone-in thighs – 75-80 minutes

Just like with breasts, use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Thighs are done at 165°F. Let them rest 5 minutes before serving.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Legs/Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks are small but dense, especially with the bone in. Expect frozen drumsticks to take about:

• 60-75 minutes at 350°F

You can tell they’re done when the meat pulls back from the bone and/or registers 165°F on a thermometer.

For safety, it’s best to cook frozen drumsticks thoroughly to ensure the meat near the bone is fully cooked.

How Long to Cook Other Frozen Chicken Parts

Here are estimated oven bake times for other frozen chicken pieces:

• Wings – 45-60 minutes
• Tenders – 25-35 minutes
• Ground chicken – 35-40 minutes

Ground chicken cooks faster than whole pieces. But again, the most reliable doneness indicator is an internal temp of 165°F.

Tips for Baked Frozen Chicken

Follow these tips for the best results when oven baking frozen chicken:

• Use a meat thermometer – This is crucial for properly cooked chicken. Insert into the thickest area.

• Preheat the oven – This helps the chicken cook evenly. Preheat to 375°F.

• Use a baking sheet – Line it with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.

• Season the chicken – Sprinkle with salt, pepper, herbs, etc before baking.

• Bake uncovered – This allows surface moisture to evaporate for crisper skin.

• Avoid overcrowding – Leave space between pieces for even cooking.

• Let it rest – Wait 5-10 minutes before cutting for juicier chicken.

Common Mistakes

It’s easy to over or undercook frozen chicken. Avoid these mistakes:

• Not using a meat thermometer – This leads to undercooked chicken.

• Overcrowding the pan – This prevents even cooking.

• Baking at too low of a temperature – This extends the cook time and can lead to unsafe temperature conditions. Stick to 350-375°F.

• Not allowing the chicken to rest – Skipping this leads to drier, tougher meat.

Should You Thaw First?

You don’t need to thaw chicken before baking it. Cooking from frozen is safe when done properly. However, there are a few benefits to thawing chicken in the fridge first:

• Shortens the cook time – Thawed chicken bakes faster than frozen.

• Better flavor absorption – Spices and marinades adhere better to thawed meat.

• Improved texture – Thawed chicken is less likely to have icy spots or be stringy.

If you have time, thawing in the fridge overnight is ideal. But baking frozen chicken works in a pinch!

Cooking Frozen Chicken Safely

Follow these guidelines when cooking any frozen chicken:

• Thaw or cook chicken within 1-2 days of purchasing it. Don’t refreeze raw chicken once thawed.

• When baking chicken from frozen, use an oven-safe thermometer to check the internal temperature.

• Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured in the thickest part of the meat.

• Don’t rinse raw chicken before cooking, as this can spread bacteria.

• Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken and other foods.

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Reheat to 165°F.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Besides using the oven, you can also safely cook frozen chicken in:

• The slow cooker – Use a newer model and cook on high heat for recommended cook times.

• Instant Pot – Cook frozen chicken pieces for 10-15 minutes on manual high pressure.

• On the stovetop – Simmer frozen chicken pieces in broth, sauce or salsa until fully cooked.

• Grill – Thaw chicken slightly before grilling to ensure even cooking. Use a thermometer.

• Air fryer – Spray frozen chicken with oil and cook at 360°F, flipping halfway through.

Recipes to Try

Here are some delicious oven-baked frozen chicken recipes to try:

Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Coat frozen wings with buffalo sauce and bake at 400°F for 50-60 minutes until crispy.

Chicken Fajitas

Top fajitas with baked frozen chicken breast, sautéed peppers and onions, cheese, etc.

Chicken Parmesan

Bread frozen chicken breasts and bake with marinara sauce and mozzarella.

Chicken Pot Pie

Mix baked frozen chicken with veggies and gravy, then top with pie crust and bake.

Chicken Enchiladas

Fill tortillas with baked frozen chicken and cheese, then smother with enchilada sauce.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Top pizza crust with bbq sauce, frozen chicken pieces, cheese, red onion, cilantro.

Cooking frozen chicken in the oven is an easy, safe option for a fast dinner, as long as you follow a few guidelines. Allow plenty of time for frozen chicken to cook through fully to the proper internal temperature. While thawed chicken may cook faster, baking straight from the freezer works in a pinch. Use a meat thermometer, avoid overcrowding, and take advantage of simple seasoning and sauce pairings. In no time, you’ll be serving up delicious oven-baked frozen chicken recipes to please your family or dinner guests.

Cooking frozen chicken in the oven typically takes around 50% longer than cooking thawed chicken, with a general guideline of adding an extra 20-30 minutes. For example, if a recipe suggests 20 minutes for thawed chicken breasts, it might take 40-50 minutes when starting from frozen.

The ideal baking temperature for chicken depends on the cut and desired outcome.