We’ve all been there – it’s 5 PM, you’re starving, and you forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer. Before you reach for the take-out menu, I’ve got good news! You don’t need to thaw that chicken to make a delicious dinner tonight.
As someone who constantly forgets to plan ahead (seriously, my family jokes about my “frozen chicken emergencies”), I’ve become something of an expert at creating amazing meals starting with rock-solid poultry. Today I’m sharing my favorite frozen chicken recipes that will save your dinner plans!
Why Cook From Frozen?
Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about why cooking from frozen is actually awesome:
- Saves time – Skip the defrosting step completely
- Convenience – Always have protein ready to go
- Food safety – Less handling means less chance of cross-contamination
- Juicier results – Sometimes cooking from frozen helps lock in moisture
The secret is using the right cooking methods and tools. Your Instant Pot, slow cooker, and oven are about to become your best friends!
Quick Cooking Methods for Frozen Chicken
Let’s start with the basics – how to cook plain frozen chicken breasts that you can use in any recipe:
1. Oven-Baked Frozen Chicken Breasts
This is my go-to method when I need basic cooked chicken. Just:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Brush chicken with olive oil
- Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite spice blend (I’m obsessed with Lawry’s seasoning)
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F
The chicken comes out surprisingly juicy! I use this for meal prep all the time
2. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken
Got an air fryer? This method is even faster:
- Season frozen breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper
- Air fry at 380°F for about 25 minutes, flipping halfway
- Check temperature to ensure it’s 165°F
My hubby loves when I make this – the outside gets slightly crispy while the inside stays tender.
3. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
This is basically kitchen magic:
- Place frozen chicken in Instant Pot with 1 cup broth
- Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes (15 for larger pieces)
- Natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release
- Shred with two forks
I make this nearly every Sunday to use in recipes throughout the week So versatile!
4. Crockpot Frozen Chicken
When I’m really pressed for time in the morning:
- Place frozen chicken in slow cooker
- Add bouillon cubes and broth for extra flavor
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours
- Season with salt and pepper
This turns out incredibly tender – it practically falls apart!
Delicious Complete Meals Using Frozen Chicken
Now let’s get to the good stuff – actual recipes that start with frozen chicken!
5. Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken
This sweet and savory dish is insanely good (and so simple):
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
Just throw everything in the Instant Pot for 12 minutes at high pressure. The sauce caramelizes beautifully, and it’s perfect over rice with some steamed broccoli. My kids literally lick their plates clean when I make this!
6. Salsa Chicken (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
This Mexican-inspired dish couldn’t be easier:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 16 oz jar of your favorite salsa
- Taco seasoning packet
- Optional: can of corn and black beans, drained
Cook in the Instant Pot for 12 minutes or slow cooker for 6 hours. Shred the chicken and use it for tacos, burritos, nachos, or over rice. I make this at least twice a month!
7. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
When I want comfort food with zero effort:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1 bottle BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Cook on low for 6-7 hours, shred, then serve on buns with coleslaw. This stuff is addictive! Makes amazing leftovers too.
8. Italian Chicken Bake
Super simple but packed with flavor:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
Bake at 375°F for about 45 minutes. The sweetness from the brown sugar complements the tangy dressing perfectly. I serve this with roasted veggies and it feels like a fancy dinner with almost no effort.
9. Instant Pot Crack Chicken
Warning: this is seriously addictive (hence the name):
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 2 blocks cream cheese
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
Cook chicken with cream cheese and ranch for 12 minutes, then shred chicken and stir in remaining ingredients. This is incredible on sandwiches, as a dip, or even stuffed in bell peppers if you’re trying to be healthy (though let’s be honest, this isn’t health food lol).
10. Chicken and Dumplings
Pure comfort in a bowl:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
Cook chicken with soup and broth in Instant Pot for 12 minutes, shred chicken, then cut biscuits into quarters and simmer in the soup until they’re cooked through. This is my go-to meal when someone’s feeling under the weather.
Quick Frozen Chicken Dinners
Need dinner on the table in under 30 minutes? These options have saved me countless times:
11. 20-Minute Chicken Pasta
A true lifesaver when time is tight:
- Frozen chicken breasts (cut into strips if possible)
- 1 jar pasta sauce
- 8 oz uncooked pasta
- 1 cup water
- Italian seasoning
Put everything in the Instant Pot for 6 minutes, quick release, and dinner is served! Top with parmesan and fresh basil if you’re feeling fancy.
12. Chicken Fajitas Sheet Pan Dinner
I love this dump-and-bake option:
- Frozen chicken tenders (they cook faster than breasts)
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- Fajita seasoning
- Olive oil
Bake at 425°F for about 25-30 minutes, stirring veggies halfway. Serve with warm tortillas and all your favorite toppings.
13. Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
Simple but satisfying:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp butter
- Ranch seasoning
- Garlic powder
Cook everything together for 12 minutes at high pressure. The potatoes absorb all the savory chicken flavors. This is my husband’s fave weeknight meal!
International Flavors From The Freezer
14. Butter Chicken
Yes, you can make this Indian restaurant favorite with frozen chicken!
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp garam masala
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cook chicken with spices and sauce in Instant Pot for 12 minutes, then stir in cream after cooking. Serve over rice with naan bread. So good I’ve stopped ordering takeout!
15. Chicken Tikka Masala
Another Indian classic that works great from frozen:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 cup yogurt
- 2 tbsp tikka masala spice blend
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cook chicken with sauce and spices for 12 minutes in Instant Pot, then stir in cream and yogurt after cooking. The sauce is to die for – I always make extra for dipping naan!
16. Teriyaki Chicken
Skip the takeout with this simple recipe:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (added after cooking)
Cook for 12 minutes in Instant Pot, then slice chicken and thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli.
Comfort Food Classics
17. Chicken and Rice Casserole
The ultimate dump-and-bake comfort meal:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups green beans
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
Mix everything in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 375°F for about 50-60 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F. Top with more cheese in the last 5 minutes. This is in my regular rotation during winter!
18. Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade soup is possible even with frozen chicken:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups egg noodles (added later)
- 1 tsp thyme
Simmer everything except noodles for about 30 minutes, remove chicken and shred, then return to pot and add noodles for last 6-8 minutes. Nothing beats this when you’re feeling under the weather!
19. Chicken Parmesan
Yes, you can make this Italian favorite with frozen chicken:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- 1 cup breadcrumbs mixed with Italian seasoning
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Bake chicken at 375°F for 30 minutes, then coat with egg and breadcrumbs, return to oven for 10 minutes, top with sauce and cheese, and bake 10 more minutes. Surprisingly crispy and so satisfying!
Final Tips For Cooking With Frozen Chicken
After years of experimenting (and plenty of failures!), here are my top tips:
- Allow extra cooking time – Frozen chicken takes about 50% longer than thawed
- Use an instant-read thermometer – Always check for 165°F internal temperature
- Thin cuts work better – Chicken tenders or thin-sliced breasts cook more evenly from frozen
- Season generously – Frozen chicken sometimes needs extra flavor help
Remember that while these recipes work great from frozen, you should never thaw chicken on the counter at room temperature – that’s asking for food poisoning!
My Personal Frozen Chicken Success Story
I used to be embarrassed about how often I forgot to thaw meat, but now I embrace it! Last month when my in-laws showed up unexpectedly, I whipped up the honey garlic chicken from completely frozen breasts in under 30 minutes. They were amazed and asked for the recipe – I just smiled and didn’t mention it was my “emergency” cooking technique!
What’s your favorite frozen chicken recipe? I’m always looking to add more quick and easy meals to my arsenal! Leave a comment below and share your freezer chicken hacks.
Happy cooking from frozen!
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Oven?
Place your prepared frozen chicken breasts into a 425º F oven. Set your timer initially for 30 minutes.
The thickness of your chicken will really determine how long you will need to cook these frozen chicken breasts.
Whenever I make this recipe, I start with a timer of 30 minutes and then check the internal temperature of the chicken using an instant read thermometer.
The chicken is fully cooked when the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. I highly recommend investing in an instant read thermometer to cook chicken correctly. It helps so you don’t undercook the chicken and make people sick, or even overcook the chicken and dry it out.
After 30 minutes, see what temperature your chicken has reached. If you still need to cook the chicken longer, set your timer for another 5-10 minutes and check the temperature again.
For this recipe I used Kirkland frozen chicken breasts and they were pretty thick. These took about 45 minutes to cook all the way through.
Can I Refreeze Chicken After it is Cooked?
If you are cooking a lot of chicken that you know you won’t be using soon, you can refreeze the chicken after it has been cooked.
You can keep cooked chicken in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Be sure to tightly wrap the chicken before refreezing to prevent freezer burn.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts | Bake, Stir Fry, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer, Grill | Allrecipes.com
FAQ
Can you cook chicken from frozen?
Is it okay to cook frozen chicken without defrosting?
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), frozen poultry is 100% safe to cook from frozen, but it will take one and a half times longer to cook thoroughly. So, chicken that takes 30 minutes to cook would take about a 45 minutes to cook without thawing.
Can I bake frozen chicken breasts?
How to spice up frozen chicken breasts?
To season frozen chicken breast, you can brush it with a light layer of oil or moisten it with water to help seasonings stick, then apply your desired spice blend, sauce, or marinade. Seasoning can be done before cooking, or after the chicken has browned slightly on the stovetop. You can use a variety of seasonings, including salt, pepper, garlic powder, herbs, and rubs, or even add a sauce like BBQ or teriyaki.