how long to cook frozen chicken thighs

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Convenient – No more last-minute thawing or waiting for your chicken to defrost in the microwave! With your Instant Pot, you can go straight from frozen to fabulous in under 30 minutes.
• Juicy & Tender – The Instant Pot traps all the moisture, giving you that perfect, tender chicken every time. Say goodbye to dry, overcooked chicken!
• Versatile – Use the shredded chicken in salads, tacos, soups, pasta, and more. Its a meal prep lifesaver!

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Cooking frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot is honestly a total game-changer. I use this method all the time-seriously, I cant remember the last time I watched frozen chicken rotating in the microwave. And the best part? Youre guaranteed juicy, tender chicken every single time. Thank goodness! In less than 30 minutes, youll have chicken thats perfect for shredding, slicing, or dicing, making it easy to toss on salads, in tacos, or even mix into pasta. Its my go-to hack when I need dinner yesterday-because who has time for defrosting anyway?

Another awesome thing? The versatility of this recipe. You can season the chicken however you want-keep it basic with salt and pepper, use broth or juice for added flavor, or throw in some marinades for a twist. The Instant Pot seals in all that goodness, so you wont have to worry about dry, rubbery chicken (weve all been there). This recipe is fast, easy, and foolproof, and will make you wonder why you ever relied on that microwave defrost button in the first place!

Want more easy Instant Pot recipes? Check out my Instant Pot Rice Recipe!

• Chicken breasts – fresh or frozen
• Liquid – water, chicken broth, apple juice, pineapple juice, etc.
• Seasonings – salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder, etc.

*Make sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the recipe card, which includes the full list of ingredients and quantities.

• Add Liquid: Pour your liquid of choice into the Instant Pot.
• Add Chicken: Place the frozen chicken breasts, in a single layer, into the Instant Pot.
• Add Seasonings: Add your seasonings of choice.
• Cook the Chicken: Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual on High for 10-12 minutes (larger breasts will need more time to cook.)
• Natural Release: Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
• Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).
• Rest & Shred: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding.

You can cook more chicken than the recipe calls for, just make sure it fits in a single layer at the bottom of the Instant Pot. The cooking time and liquid amount will still stay the same, but if youre cooking more than the Instant Pot can handle in one go, feel free to cook it in batches.

• Shred and toss with taco seasoning for easy chicken tacos or burritos.
• Use in lettuce wraps.
• Add to a Caesar salad or a Greek salad with feta and olives.
• Add to a grain bowl with quinoa and roasted veggies.
• Toss with buffalo sauce and serve over a chopped salad with ranch dressing.
• Stir into alfredo or marinara sauce and serve over pasta.
• Mix with Easy Fried Rice for an easy chicken stir-fry.
• Add to soups like chicken noodle or tortilla soup.
• Use as a topping for a chicken pizza.
• Use it in Greek Chicken Gyros.
• Make chicken quesadillas.
• Turn it into chicken enchiladas.

Refrigerator: Store your cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Whether its left whole or shredded, youll have ready-to-go chicken for all your meal prep needs.

Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely before freezing. Store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. For easy use, freeze it in individual portions or shred it first, so you can grab just what you need.

Reheat: Instant Pot: Use the Sauté function with a bit of liquid to reheat evenly. Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals with a splash of broth to keep it moist. Stovetop: Warm it up in a pan over medium-low heat with a little broth or butter.

• Dont skip the natural release! Letting the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes helps lock in the moisture and keeps the chicken nice and juicy.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chickens internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). If its still not done, seal it back up and cook for another 2-3 minutes on high pressure.
• Shredding the chicken? Do it while its warm! Its so much easier. You can use two forks or even a stand mixer if you want to get it shredded in literally less than 30 seconds without any effort!
• Cooking the chicken in broth instead of water adds so much extra flavor. You can also add extras like bay leaves, fresh herbs, or a splash of lemon juice for more flavor.
• Dont toss out that leftover liquid-its packed with flavor! Use it as a base for soups, stews, or even to keep the chicken moist when storing.

Yes, but bone-in chicken breasts will take longer to cook. You may need to increase the cook time to about 15-18 minutes for medium to large bone-in breasts, followed by a natural pressure release.

Absolutely! Youll need to adjust the cook time for bone-in or boneless thighs: around 12 minutes for boneless and 15-18 minutes for bone-in.

If the chickens internal temperature is below 165°F (75°C), return it to the Instant Pot for an extra 2-3 minutes on high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally again.

More Chicken Recipes

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think! Id love it if you could add a star rating ★ and a comment below. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in an Instant Pot

FAQ

Can you cook frozen chicken thighs in the oven?

Both baking dishes and baking sheets can be used to cook frozen chicken thighs in the oven. If using a baking dish, ensure it has sides to contain any juices that may release from the chicken during cooking. When using a baking sheet, it is recommended to line it with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in easy cleanup.

How long does it take to cook frozen chicken thighs?

Now it’s time to learn how to bake frozen chicken thighs in the oven. It’s really easy! About one hour of preparation and cooking time will give you perfectly tender, juicy legs with crispy skin. Why cook chicken from frozen?

What temperature should frozen chicken thighs be cooked at?

The recommended temperature to cook frozen chicken thighs in the oven is 400°F (200°C). This temperature allows the chicken to cook evenly and helps to achieve a crispy outer texture while keeping the inside moist and tender. Adjust the time accordingly based on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs.

Can you freeze chicken thighs?

Having frozen thighs or breasts in the freezer is always a good idea – it has saved dinner time on many occasions. Cooking from frozen saves the long thawing time. Meat must be defrosted slowly and properly in the fridge, which can take hours. Freezing poultry slows down the reproduction of Salmonella, though it doesn’t destroy it.

How long to cook chicken thighs in oven?

Brush with a little olive oil to keep the chicken from drying out in the oven. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the oven. Bake for 60 minutes -after this time, the thighs should be soft. However, if they are large, then the time can be increased to 80 minutes.

How do you cook frozen thighs?

Oven temperature: I prefer cooking thighs at a slightly lower temperature than usual. This helps them thaw and cook through inside before the outside gets too brown. Avoid baking clumps of frozen meat. Pieces should be individually frozen so you can place them in a single layer on the baking tray.

How long should you cook frozen chicken thighs?

Frozen chicken thighs will take 10-15 minutes longer to boil than fresh chicken thighs. So, frozen chicken thighs will take up to 45 minutes to fully cook.

How long to cook frozen chicken thighs in the oven at 375 degrees?

Arrange frozen chicken thighs on a lined and greased baking pan. Coat chicken with butter, rosemary, and lemon juice. Bake at 375 for 50 – 60 minutes.

How long do chicken thighs take at 400 degrees?

How long to cook frozen chicken in the oven at 425 degrees?