- Frozen chicken breasts (boneless), 4 to 6 ounces: 30 to 45 minutes.
- Frozen chicken breasts (bone-in) 6 to 8 ounces: 45 to 60 minutes.
You probably wonder, “Can I cook frozen chicken?” when it’s time to make dinner but your chicken is frozen solid.
I have wonderful news: baking frozen chicken will ensure that your dinner tonight will be flavorful and juicy. I’m going to cover everything you need to know about baking frozen chicken breasts so they come out flawless every time in this post.
Chicken is a protein that children love and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Although I adore grilling and pan-searing chicken, I frequently turn to baking because, by simply adding a few vegetables to the pan, it can be transformed into a fantastic sheet pan dinner.
When it’s time to make dinner, chicken should always be defrosted and prepared, but in practice, that doesn’t always happen. There are times when all we have is a solid block of chicken and no plans for dinner.
If that describes you, keep reading because I’ll walk you through how to make dinner tonight without ordering takeout.
Over the years, I’ve learned quite a few tips and tricks for preparing chicken into delectable, family-pleasing meals, including how to bake frozen chicken straight from the freezer with no thawing necessary.
Although frozen chicken can be baked and fried, it should never be cooked straight from the freezer in a microwave or slow cooker. With these techniques, the raw, frozen chicken is kept at 40°F for longer than the advised one hour. creating the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow and contaminate the food.
Four Key Steps to Cooking Chicken from Frozen
Is It Safe to Cook Chicken from Frozen?
The USDA claims that you can safely cook frozen chicken breast as long as you abide by a few guidelines. First, make sure to allow your chicken to cook for at least twice as long as it would if it were thawed. For instance, a recipe that calls for cooking chicken for 20 minutes when it is thawed will take about 40 minutes to prepare when the chicken is still frozen. Second, never use this method with a large lump of chicken that has been frozen together; rather, use individual chicken pieces that can be spread out into an even layer to cook safely. Finally, check that the breasts have reached 165°F using an instant-read thermometer as you would with any chicken dish.
Additionally, chicken cooked from frozen is still delicious and will have the tender chicken texture we expect from breasts thanks to a few pantry staples. Although it won’t be as juicy as chicken that has properly thawed, it also won’t be inedible rubber.
How long to cook Frozen Chicken?
Place your prepared chicken breasts into a 425º F oven. Set your timer initially for 30 minutes. How long you need to cook these frozen chicken breasts really depends on how thick your chicken is.
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 it 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 over cook the chicken and dry it out.
After 30 minutes, see what temperature your chicken has reached. If the chicken needs to cook for an additional five to ten minutes, set your timer for that amount of time and check the temperature once more.
I used fairly thick chicken breasts for this recipe, and it took them 45 minutes to fully cook.
FAQ
Can I cook chicken breasts from frozen?
It’s great news that the USDA says it is completely safe, but keep in mind that cooking frozen chicken takes about 1.5 times longer than cooking thawed chicken.
How long does it take to bake frozen chicken breast at 400?
Bake frozen chicken breasts in a covered baking dish in a 400F oven for a total of 35 to 40 minutes. Uncover and season the chicken about halfway through baking time. Make sure the chicken breasts are arranged in the pan in a single layer.
How long does it take to cook frozen chicken breast in a pan?
- Preheat skillet over medium heat. To stop sticking, use oil or nonstick pan spray.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and cook the frozen chicken for 10 minutes.
- Chicken should be turned over, covered, and cooked for an additional 10 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 170°F for the minimum internal temperature.
How long does it take frozen boneless chicken breast to cook?
Cooking time: Frozen boneless skinless: about 20 minutes. Fresh boneless, skinless chicken: 12 to 15 minutes. Fresh chicken breasts with the skin and bone in: approximately 30 minutes, or longer depending on size.
