We’ve all been there—you plan a nice meal, maybe some chicken stir-fry or baked chicken thighs, and then… you realize you forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer. Now it’s rock solid, and dinner is in jeopardy. Sure, you could double-bag the chicken and soak it in a hot water bath until thawed, but that still takes time and can get messy.
Surprisingly, you can cook chicken from frozen! And in an amazing variety of different ways.
So the next time you forget to pull those frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts out, follow these recipes to bake them straight from the freezer. (A lot of these recipes can be made using fresh chicken breasts too!)
Is it safe to cook frozen breasts?
Yes, it is safe to cook chicken from frozen as long as you follow the right precautions. The USDA says it’s fine to cook chicken straight from the freezer, but there are some key things to keep in mind:
How to Safely Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts:
✔ Increase Cooking Time – Expect to add about 50% more time than if it were thawed. For example, if fresh chicken takes 30 minutes, frozen might take 45.
✔ Use the Right Cooking Methods – Baking, roasting, boiling, or pressure cooking (Instant Pot) work well. Avoid pan-frying —they heat too slowly, which can leave the chicken in the “danger zone” (40°F-140°F) where bacteria multiply.
✔ Check Internal Temperature – Always make sure the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) with a meat thermometer before eating. No guessing!
✔ Don’t Cook a Whole Frozen Chicken – Large frozen pieces, like a whole chicken or a big block of chicken breasts stuck together, take too long to cook safely. Instead, use individually frozen pieces.
So yes, you can safely cook chicken from frozen, just be mindful of the method you use! 🔥🍗
Easy Recipes to Cook with Frozen Chicken Breasts
Instant Pot chicken breasts are fast and easy, and the chicken comes out perfectly cooked. Tender, moist, and juicy, not dry or tough or chewy. AND, because we’re using a pressure cooker, cooking perfect boneless chicken breasts only takes 10-15 minutes.
This Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe is a fast and easy way to cook chicken breasts in a delicious honey garlic sauce. Use fresh or frozen chicken, serve with rice and veggies for a quick meal! Best way for a delicious weeknight dinner.
A true family favorite: Chicken Parmesan. How can you go wrong? Chicken, crunch breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and melted mozzarella cheese. Yes. So good!
This easy Frozen Chicken Air Fryer recipe is so quick, juicy and flavorful. You don’t have to thaw the chicken first! You’ve got to try this recipe for the incredible spice blend and balance of flavors – think paprika and garlic powder with golden brown sugar! It forms the most delicious crust in the air fryer.
Use your Instant Pot to turn frozen chicken breasts, basmati rice, and whatever veggies you have on hand into a filling and delicious dinner on those nights when you don't have time to mess with thawing your chicken. This is the perfect recipe if you forgot to take out the chicken from the freezer.
Are you looking for an easy and delicious dinner recipe that can be prepared with minimal effort? Look no further than Crock Pot BBQ Chicken! This recipe involves cooking chicken breasts in a slow cooker with seasonings and bbq sauce until the meat is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork. The result is a mouthwatering dish that can be served in a variety of ways, from sandwiches and wraps to rice bowls and salads. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or a weekend party, Crock Pot BBQ Chicken is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
This Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat recipe makes taco night even easier! This is a very flavorful, not too spicy and super simple way to make shredded chicken…and the whole family will love it! Easiest way to get the best results for a quick dinner.
Toss only three ingredients into your slow cooker for this easy slow cooker sweet and sour chicken recipe. Serve over rice or your favorite steamed vegetables.
Slow Cooker Sweet Garlic Chicken- a weeknight favorite. Just dump everything in the crockpot and let it do the work! Chicken, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ginger ale, soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, BBQ seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes.
Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken – a weeknight favorite Just dump everything in the crockpot and let it do the work! Chicken, honey teriyaki sauce, garlic, basil, rosemary, chicken broth, and brown sugar. Can cook now or throw everything in a freezer bag for an easy freezer meal for later. Can cook the chicken from frozen. SO easy and super delicious. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal!
How many times have you forgotten to thaw those chicken breasts you've got stashed away before it's time to make dinner? Sure, you could double-bag the chicken and soak it in a hot water bath until thawed, but that still takes time and can get messy. Instead, follow this recipe to bake them straight from the freezer. You’ll end up with juicy chicken coated in a crisp layer of breadcrumbs. Just make sure you freeze your chicken breasts in a flat layer so they don’t stick together -- the recipe won’t work with a big clump!
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