How To Cook Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
Using the instant pot is a huge timesaver when cooking frozen chicken. The result is juicy, delicious chicken in very little time compared to other cooking methods. Heres how to make chicken breasts from frozen in your instant pot, for a quick and easy dinner.
We use the Instant Pot 6 Quart 9-1 Pressure Cooker.
Notes:
How Long Do You Bake Juicy Chicken Breast
How Do You Keep Chicken Moist When Baking
There are lots of ways to keep your chicken breast moist and full of juices, but one of the best ways is to marinate it for a while before baking. This way, it will absorb the marinade and stay moist after baking.
Here are a few tips to ensure your chicken breast stays moist and tender.
- Use foil: Foil will keep the juices inside so that the chicken stays moist.
- Bake at 350 F: If you want to bake your chicken breast in the oven, bake it at 350°F to ensure you have better control over the baking process.
- Using your choice of marinade, marinate the chicken breasts for 2 to 3 hours in a large Ziploc bag or container.
Read Also: Tyson Oven Roasted Chicken Wings
Frozen Chicken In The Oven
Now it was time for the old fashioned method, we all have an oven yall. Ill admit I dont use this thang very often anymore. Ive kinda become a fast countertop appliance kinda gal the past 5 years or so but I wanted to cover all my basis.
Not everyone is like me so I get it and want to help everyone who reads my blog so here we go.
Can you cook chicken breasts from frozen in the oven?
You totally can. Of course thawed and/or fresh is always best to keep it as moist as humanly possible but that isnt always possible. Youll want a baking sheet with a large lip or casserole dish to catch the juices. Foil will help them steam and defrost, then cook to fork tender.
Lets talk about all you need to get this done. Take note that you will want some non stick spray so they dont stick. There will be some juices so you want a baking dish with a lip or a casserole dish that will fit all the pieces in one single layer . If theyre stuck together just run them under warm water to separate easily.
You can see the prep here.
Forget The Slow Cooker

But let’s get one thing out of the way before we go any further. The food safety experts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture advise not to cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker.
The reason: Slow cookers are designed to cook at a low temperature, and the slow-cooker might not get hot enough to heat frozen chicken all the way to 165 F, which is the minimum temperature for a chicken to fully cook, as well as to destroy any dangerous bacteria. That, or it might take too long to reach 165 F, giving bacteria a chance to multiply.
Moreover, the USDA does not distinguish between new slow-cookers, old ones, middle-aged ones, or any other designation, including so-called “hot cooking” slow cookers or what have you. A slow-cooker is a slow-cooker, and from a food-safety standpoint, none of them are appropriate for cooking frozen chicken.
Recommended Reading: Breville Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Can You Cook Chicken Breast While Frozen
Cooking chicken breast while frozen can be a challenge, but its possible. There are a few ways to do it, but the most common is to cook it in a skillet on medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Another option is to place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until cooked through.
How To Cook Frozen Chicken
The first step to cooking frozen chicken is to take those frozen solid chicken breasts and place them on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil. Drizzle or spray olive oil or cooking spray on the foil. I prefer to line my pan with oil because it helps with clean up after these are done cooking and keeps my pan looking nice.
Place the frozen chicken breasts onto the pan, making sure there is about 1/2 to 1 inch between each piece.
Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and melted butter. Season liberally with salt and pepper. That is it! You are ready to throw put the chicken in the oven!
Read Also: Enamled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
To Boil Frozen Chicken:
- Place frozen chicken breasts in pan
- Cover with cold water
- Simmer on low, covered, until cooked through
- Use two forks to shred
Tips and tricks: one of the best ways to use frozen chicken breasts is to make a batch of soup! That way, you can simmer your chicken breasts until tender, but you dont lose all of that chicken flavor it flavors your broth! I will often make this Chicken Rice Soup or Chicken Noodle Soup using frozen chicken breasts if Im in a pinch.
This boiled chicken is also great for using in any of these Shredded Chicken Recipes.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Costco Frozen Chicken Breast
When it comes to safety, the oven, air fryer, or stove are the finest cooking techniques to use when cooking your Costco Frozen Chicken Breast. However, it really depends on what you want to make with this chicken breast, such as a topping for pizza, pasta, or even a major dish on its own.
I believe you understand my point here, so before deciding which method to use, consider what you intend to do with your Costco Frozen Chicken Breast after it has been cooked. For example, after boiling my chicken breast, it will be very juicy and tender and ideal for chopping and shredding to be used with various meals such as pizza, soup, salad, sandwiches, casseroles, and so on.
You May Like: How To Self Clean Frigidaire Oven
How To Cook Frozen Chicken Breast On Stove
Answer
How to cook frozen chicken breast on stove is a question that many people are asking. There are many ways to cook frozen chicken breast, but the most popular way is to bake it. You can also cook it in a skillet or oven. However, the easier way to do it is to just put it in a pan and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken
Place your prepared 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 it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. I highly recommend investing in an instant read thermometer to cook chicken correctly. It helps so you dont 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 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 had pretty thick chicken breasts, these took about 45 minutes to cook all the way through.
Also Check: How To Cook Wings Oven
How Long To Bake Frozen Chicken Breast
The size of the chicken breasts and the temperature of the oven determines the cooking time of frozen chicken. Here is a simple cooking time guide:
How long to bake frozen chicken breast at 400 is 35-50 minutes.
How long to bake at 425F is 30-35 minutes- It will take lesser time than to cook it at 400 however, I don’t recommend baking frozen chicken at such a high temperature as 450 because the outer of the chicken can cook quickly without the inside cooking as it should. A lower temperature ensures the chicken cooks inside before it browns outside. The temperature I recommend for baking frozen chicken breast in the oven is 400F/200C.
How long does it take to bake frozen chicken breasts at 350- It will take between 40- 50 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. This low temperature takes longer to cook and I don’t recommend it for frozen chicken.
The chicken is cooked if it is tender inside and has no blood. It is good to check with an instant meat thermometer. When you insert it in the thickest part of the chicken and it reads 165F or over, then the chicken is cooked safely to eat.
How Long Does Frozen Chicken Breast Take To Cook In A Crock Pot On High

Before frying the chicken breasts, thoroughly season them with salt & pepper to taste. In a covered crock pot on the stovetop, cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until cooked through. Cooking time is deemed complete when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recommended Reading: Wall Ovens Electric 30 Inch
Roasting A Whole Frozen Chicken
This technique will work for a smallish whole frozen chicken.
How Do You Keep Chicken Moist In The Freezer
Chickens are a constant presence in the freezer, and when they are not, they can easily become dry and brittle. To keep your chickens moist during the winter, you need to do a few things:
- Make sure you have enough water available for your birds. This will help them drink and moisten their feathers.
- Keep the bird feeder full of fresh vegetables and fruits so your chickens can eat healthy foods. This will ensure that they dont develop any wetness problems.
- Place chicken in a dark place where they wont see direct sunlight every day.
Also Check: Turkey Breast Recipe Roaster Oven
How To Cook A Juicy Chicken Breast Recipe
Baked Chicken Breast Ingredients:
To make this baked chicken breasts recipe, you will need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: You can either purchase fresh chicken breasts or frozen chicken breasts . Some chicken also comes pre-brined nowadays, in which case you can skip step one below.
- Butter or olive oil: Your pick! I like the extra flavor that butter adds, but olive oil will also work well.
- Kosher Salt: An essential ingredient in our brine, and we will also use salt to season the chicken before baking.
- Seasonings: I included an all-purpose blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper in the recipe below, which is super-simple and goes with just about anything. But feel free to sub in any dry seasoning blend that you prefer.
Also, if you bake chicken regularly in the oven, I strongly having a cooking thermometer on hand too. It is the most foolproof way to ensure that your chicken is not over- or under-cooked, and works like a charm. I recommend either this:
- Instant-read cooking thermometer : which I have owned and used for years when cooking chicken, which retails for about $9.99 on Amazon.
- Dual-probe wireless meat thermometer: which I also own and love because it can be used inside of a hot oven , which retails for about $24.99 on Amazon.
Also Check: Freestanding Double Oven Electric Range
How To Cook Frozen Chicken In The Instant Pot
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Frozen chicken breasts , 4 to 6 ounces: 10 to 15 minutes
- Frozen chicken thighs, 4 to 8 ounces: 13 to 15 minutes
- Frozen chicken tenders, 2 to 4 ounces: 6 minutes
- Frozen chicken wings, 2 to 3 ounces: 12 minutes
- Chicken drumsticks, 4 ounces: 12 minutes
Sheet Pan Chicken Tenders
Prepare your sheet pan by brushing it with olive oil or lining it with parchment paper before you place the frozen chicken tenders on it. Add Brussels sprouts and cubed butternut squash to the sheet pan, too.
Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes before seasoning the chicken tenders with salt and pepper or your favorite dry seasonings. Continue baking until cooked through.Recipe by Eat At Home Cooks
Also Check: Seasoning For Beef Roast In Oven
Is It Ok To Cook Frozen Raw Chicken
When it comes to frozen chicken, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, if the chicken is cooked through and no longer frozen, it is safe to eat. Second, cook frozen chicken according to the package directions. And finally, if you do choose to cook frozen raw chicken, make sure it is cooked through and no longer frozen.
How Do I Cook Frozen Chicken Without Thawing It

Cooking frozen chicken is a very easy task if you follow these simple steps:
Recommended Reading: Bread Cloche Vs Dutch Oven
Cooking Frozen Chicken Breasts In The Oven
For this technique, if you are preparing multiple frozen breasts, they must be separate, not frozen together in a single slab.
How Do You Freeze Cooked Breaded Chicken Cutlets
To freeze: Arrange unbaked breaded chicken breasts on two large cookie sheets. Cover loosely with plastic wrap freeze 3 to 4 hours or until frozen solid. Wrap each breast in plastic wrap, and store together in 2-quart freezer bag up to 1 month. To bake: Heat oven to 450°F.
You May Like: How To Fix Pilot Light On Gas Oven