Chicken is one of our favorite foods. It’s a great source of protein and goes well with almost everything (except maybe ice cream). Chicken not only has a lot of protein, but it also has a lot of other nutrients that help our bodies stay strong, especially those that are still growing. The nutritional benefits of chicken are endless!.
For families who don’t know what to make for dinner, frozen chicken has saved the day many times. Whether you freeze fresh chicken or chicken with a little extra, like our Birds Eye Chargrilled Chicken, freezing food helps keep the nutrients in and cuts down on food waste by making it easy to portion out when you need it.
All our chicken products, from crispy dippers to succulent seasoned chicken chargrills, live in the freezer and go straight into the oven from there; perfect if you need to rustle up a quick and easy chicken dinner.
Like any meat or dairy, it’s important to be really careful with how chicken is prepared and cooked, and raw chicken especially must be thoroughly cooked through. Read on for our comprehensive guide on how to cook chicken from frozen – Birds Eye, and beyond! Photo by blogger Lecoindemel.
Cooking frozen chicken breasts can seem daunting. Will they come out dry and rubbery, or can I get tender, juicy chicken? The good news is that you can cook tasty chicken breasts straight from the freezer if you know what’s right.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook moist, flavorful frozen chicken breasts. We’ll go over the best methods, step-by-step instructions, tips to prevent dryness, and how to tell when they’re done After reading this, you’ll be able to whip up a weeknight dinner with frozen chicken breasts that tastes like you’ve been marinating and prepping all day
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts?
The short answer is yes, you can safely cook chicken breasts directly from the freezer. According to the USDA, frozen poultry can be cooked without thawing first.
However, cooking time will be about 50% longer compared to thawed chicken. That’s because frozen chicken needs time to thaw on the outside before the heat can start penetrating inward and cooking the inside.
So cooking frozen chicken breasts requires some patience. But as long as you account for the extra time, frozen chicken can turn out just as juicy and delicious as thawed.
Best Methods for Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts
There are a lot of different ways to cook frozen chicken, but some are better than others for keeping it from getting dry. Here are the top recommended cooking methods:
1. Bake
One easy way to cook frozen chicken breasts is to bake them. Use a baking dish with sides, add some liquid, and put a lid on top. The liquid turns into steam, which keeps the chicken from drying out and helps it cook evenly.
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Liquids to use: Chicken broth, white wine, lemon juice, teriyaki sauce, barbecue sauce, etc.
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Temp and Time: Bake at 375°F for 45-60 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
2. Poach
Poaching chicken breasts in liquid cooks them slowly and adds flavor. There’s no better way to get juicy, tender chicken from frozen than this.
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Liquids to use: Chicken broth, marinara sauce, salsa, coconut milk, etc.
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Temp and Time: Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Instant Pot
The Instant Pot steams frozen chicken breasts under pressure, resulting in moist chicken in much less time.
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Liquids to use: 1 cup chicken broth or water
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Time: Cook on high pressure for 8-15 minutes (time varies by thickness). Natural release for 10 minutes.
4. Skillet (Pan-Fry)
Pan-frying makes the outside crispy while keeping the inside juicy. It works great straight from frozen.
- Directions: Heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 6-8 minutes per side until browned and 165°F.
5. Slow Cooker
While slow cookers can’t thaw frozen chicken safely, putting breasts in a cooker that’s already hot is an option.
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Liquids to use: Chicken broth
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Temp and Time: Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours until 165°F.
Tips for Cooking Juicy Frozen Chicken Breasts
Follow these tips in addition to using a moist-heat cooking method to ensure your frozen chicken breasts come out tender and delicious:
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Don’t crowd the pan. Cook chicken in a single layer with space between pieces to allow steam to circulate.
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Use a meat thermometer. It’s the only way to accurately determine doneness for frozen chicken. Check in thickest part.
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Cook low and slow. Quick, high heat can cause outside to overcook before inside thaws. Low, gradual heat is best.
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Let rest before cutting. Letting chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking allows juices to redistribute inward.
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Add flavorful sauces. Cooking chicken breasts in or basting with sauce adds moisture and flavor.
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Wrap in bacon. Bacon renders fat to baste chicken and keeps it from drying out.
How to Tell When Frozen Chicken Breasts Are Done
Since frozen chicken takes longer to cook, relying on appearance and cook time just doesn’t cut it. The only foolproof way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer.
Chicken breasts are safe to eat and ready to come off the heat when the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165°F. At this point, the texture will be white throughout with no pink spots. Juices should run clear.
If cutting to check for visual doneness, look in the thickest section. Chicken is ready when the interior is white and opaque all the way through with no traces of pink.
Recipes for Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts
Here are some easy recipes to cook moist, flavorful frozen chicken breasts using the methods above:
Baked Chicken and Rice
Baked chicken breasts in a creamy sauce served over rice.
Ingredients:
- 4 frozen chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1⁄4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken breasts in baking dish and pour over broth and cream. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake 45-60 minutes until 165°F internally. Remove foil and broil 3-5 minutes to brown.
- Meanwhile, cook rice according to package directions.
- Serve chicken over cooked rice. Season with salt and pepper.
Poached Chicken in Marinara Sauce
Frozen chicken breasts poached in a quick tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- 4 frozen chicken breasts
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz)
- 1⁄4 cup water
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Pasta
Instructions:
- In a skillet, combine marinara sauce, water, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Nestle chicken breasts into sauce mixture in a single layer, making sure submerged.
- Simmer 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until chicken is 165°F.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve over cooked pasta.
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
Frozen chicken breasts cooked in a Mexican-inspired sauce.
Ingredients:
- 4 frozen chicken breasts
- 1 jar salsa (16 oz)
- 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Place frozen chicken breasts in Instant Pot and top with salsa, broth, and taco seasoning.
- Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes until chicken is 165°F internally.
- Quick or natural release. Shred or slice chicken and season with salt and pepper.
As you can see, with the right techniques, cooking frozen chicken breasts so they stay tender and juicy is easy. Next time you forget to thaw chicken for dinner, try one of these moist-heat methods or recipes. You’ll end up with a meal that looks and tastes like you’ve been prepping all day.
Cooking frozen chicken breasts and thighs
Don’t be left in the cold when it comes to cooking chicken from frozen – there are a couple of options, even if you don’t have time to de-frost. However, larger pieces of frozen chicken, like a whole chicken or chicken on the bone, aren’t suitable for these methods as they won’t cook through properly – they should be thawed first.
How to cook Chicken the Birds Eye way
1. Pre-heat the oven to the temperature printed on the pack instructions – usually around 200°C (180°C for a fan oven, or Gas Mark 6) 2. Pop the chicken on a baking tray in the middle of the oven 3. Cook until piping hot; some products might need turning over part-way through 4. Read the directions on the package to see how long you have to get hungry. Most of our tasty chicken takes 20 to 25 minutes to cook. Our breaded and battered chicken is ready to eat when the outside gets crispy and golden. Try serving with colourful Steam Fresh vegetables for a healthy balanced meal.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts Safely | Stove & Oven Methods
FAQ
Can you cook a chicken breast from frozen?
Yes, you can cook a chicken breast from frozen, but it will take longer than cooking a thawed one. You can cook frozen chicken as long as it reaches 165°F, which is the USDA’s safe temperature.
What’s the best way to cook a frozen chicken?
How to Cook Frozen Chicken on the StovetopPlace the chicken in a sauté pan or pot. Season as desired. Cover the chicken with broth and/or sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for the specified time below, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
What happens if you cook frozen chicken without thawing?
… to the USDA, it is totally safe — you just have to keep in mind that frozen chicken will take about one and a half times longer to cook than thawed chicken.
How long do you bake frozen chicken breast at 375 degrees?
directionsPreheat oven to 375. Spray baking dish with non-stick spray. Place frozen chicken breast in dish. Top with sauce. Bake for 45 minutes. Options: Add veggies for a one dish meal. If using cheese, put it on the last 2 minutes of cook time. This gives it time to melt and brown if you like it that way.
Can you cook chicken breast from frozen?
Dissolve a handful of salt and a little brown sugar in room temperature water, and add the chicken breasts. Allow to brine around 15 minutes, then rinse, oil, season and cook. Can chicken breasts be cooked from frozen in the oven? Yes, chicken breasts can be cooked from frozen in the oven, but the cooking time will be longer.
How long do you cook frozen chicken breast?
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Boil chicken breast until done, about 10 minutes for fresh and 20 minutes for frozen. Use a meat thermometer if you prefer (cooked chicken should be 165°F). Shred the chicken and set aside. Mince the ginger and ginseng.
Is it safe to cook frozen chicken in the oven?
Yes, it is safe to cook frozen chicken in the oven because it is frozen. However, it will take more time to cook than fresh chicken. Cooking frozen chicken on the stove or in the oven is safe. However, grilling frozen chicken is not a good method.