Air fryer frozen breaded chicken breasts are easy to air fry crispy and perfect. The outside breading is fantastic and the inside is delicious. Air frying the breaded chicken breasts is way better than cooking them in the oven.

Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts on a plate

How to Cook Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast

The hot circulating air from the air fryer makes them crispy and amazing. It’s also quicker because you don’t have to pre-heat the regular large oven for just a few of the breast fillets. The circulating hot air fryer air cooks the chicken wonderfully and it’s a great way to get a quick and easy dinner on the table.

  • If you have a small air fryer basket you might only be able to cook one chicken breast at a time.
  • For larger air fryer ovens or toaster style ovens, lay the breasts in a single layer. Make sure there’s some space between them so that the hot circulating air can cook all the sides and edges crispy.
  • You do not need any extra oil spray on top and do not pre-heat the air fryer. If it’s already hot from cooking something previously, then reduce timing by about 2-3 minutes. Then check the chicken to see how it’s cooking and add additional timing until chicken is cooked.
  • Add some homemade gravy or a side of veggies and you have a great quick and easy chicken dinner in minutes.
  • There’s so many different brands out there so have fun with your favorite ones. We especially love the fact that these air fryer frozen breaded chicken breasts healthier than deep frying, which we talk about below.
  • Pro-Tip: here’s our favorite tools to help make air frying easier:
Evo Oil Sprayer
Evo Oil Sprayer

We LOVE Evo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!

8.5" Square Blue Silicone Mat
Perforated Silicone Mat

There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.

Perforated Parchment Paper
Perforated Parchment Paper

Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.

Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts in a basket

Video: Air Fried Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast

Healthy Air Fried Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts

It’s way healthier to air fry those chicken fillets than deep frying them. We did a test and the air fried version comes out just as delicious as deep frying. But it’s way healthier to use the air fryer because you don’t have all the greasy oil from deep frying. You’ll be super happy with the results without the fatty deep fried version. Give it a try and you’ll be hooked at cooking all the frozen chicken products with the air fry method. Hope you enjoy these air fryer frozen breaded chicken breasts for dinner soon!

Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts step by step photos

No Thawing Necessary

You don’t need to thaw the frozen chicken breasts. They can be air fried frozen, directly from the freezer. But if you did end up thawing them, then it will definitely take less time to cook, especially if the chicken is pre-cooked. You just need to check the chicken more often, about after the first 7-8 minutes. Then add more time if necessary.

Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts | AirFryerWorld.com

Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts

Yield: 2 servings
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
There's several things which affect how the frozen breaded chicken breasts cook. They all vary in size, thickness, type and heaviness of the breading so you’ll have to adjust timing. For best and even cooking, don't overcrowd the basket. Fill just an even single layer of chicken breasts.
If using uncooked breaded chicken, add an extra minute or two if needed to make sure it is cooked through. All air fryers are different and some cook much hotter than others. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know more of what works for your model of air fryer and size of food. These were tested on basket style air fryers. Read more recipe notes below the recipe. Nutrition will vary from brand to brand and will depend on the type of coating.
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Ingredients

  • 2 Frozen Breaded Chicken Breasts

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Place the frozen breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren't overlapping. No oil spray is needed.
    Frozen breaded chicken breasts in air fryer basket
  • Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over.
    Flipping over chicken breast with tongs
  • Continue to Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for another 2 minutes. Check the chicken breasts and if needed, add another 2-3 minutes or until heated through and crispy to your preference.
    Holding with tongs an air fried breaded chicken breast

Notes

Air Frying Tips and Notes:
  1. No Oil Necessary. Cook Frozen – Do not thaw first.
  2. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Lay in a single layer.
  3. Recipe timing is based on a non-preheated air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches of chicken back to back, the following batches may cook a little quicker. 
  4. Recipes were tested in 3.7 to 6 qt. air fryers. If using a larger air fryer, the chicken might cook quicker so adjust cooking time.
  5. Remember to set a timer to flip/toss as directed in recipe.

If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 260kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium: 520mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Frozen Foods
Calories: 260

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Here’s some more great chicken recipes for ya! Hope you enjoy our air fryer recipes and please share your yummy images with us on social media!

This post was originally published in 2019 and was updated in 2021.