How Long Do I Cook A Frozen Chicken

How To Cook Chicken Breast from Frozen

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Ah, the ubiquitous frozen chicken breast — how we love you! Chances are high yous've got some hanging out in your freezer right at present for hereafter use — you lot know, for that rushed weeknight when you forget to thaw anything and demand dinner in the next 60 minutes. What's that, y'all say? No way to thaw and cook chicken breast in under an hour? Here's the surprising matter about frozen chicken breast: You tin accept it directly from the freezer to the oven and cook information technology upward in nether and 60 minutes.

Not only is it rubber, but this fourth dimension-saver can too be tasty with a splash of olive oil and protective crumb coating. Your Wednesday night dinner blitz is about to be saved.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Is It Safe to Cook Chicken from Frozen?

According to the USDA, y'all can safely cook frozen craven chest equally long equally you follow a couple of rules. First, program to cook your chicken for at to the lowest degree twice as long as you might melt thawed craven — for instance, a recipe that calls for a 20-minute cook time with thawed chicken will require about xl minutes with still-frozen chicken. Secondly, but use this technique with individually frozen craven pieces that tin be spread out onto an even layer to cook safely — not a big lump of chicken frozen together. Lastly, as with any chicken dish, use an instant-read thermometer to brand sure the breasts reach 165°F.

Besides, chicken cooked from frozen is however delicious! With the help of a few pantry staples, the chicken volition have a golden nibble coating with the tender chicken texture we expect from breasts. It won't be quite as juicy as chicken that has had a proper thaw, but it won't be inedible rubber either.

For Your Information

This recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds of chicken chest. This is 4 to half dozen chicken breasts, depending on their size.
These chicken breasts cook at 425°F for thirty to xl minutes. The chicken is done when information technology reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Make sure you lot've got heavy-duty aluminum foil on mitt for this recipe.

(Prototype credit: Joe Lingeman)

Roasting Is the Secret to Chicken Breasts from Frozen

Having tried a few techniques for cooking chicken breasts from frozen, I tin say that oven-roasting is the fastest and most reliable method. The high heat of the oven, combined with putting the chicken breasts in a single even layer, cooks the chicken from all sides as quickly and effectively as possible. Roasting's only failure might be that information technology leaves naked craven chest looking rather lackluster, but luckily nosotros've got a tasty solution for that likewise.

Four Central Steps to Cooking Chicken from Frozen

Make a tasty topping. For this recipe, we're using breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, paired with some seasonings like garlic pulverization, salt, and pepper. You could too swap the breadcrumbs for almond meal.
Coat the chicken breast in olive oil. Or butter or ghee. I recall yogurt or mayo would piece of work well besides, but at the very least yous need some fat to protect the chicken breast from drying out on the exterior while the interior cooks to the correct temperature.
Spread the craven breast out into an even layer with plenty of space between them. This ensures the pieces cook evenly from all sides. Also, if y'all want to add some quick-cooking vegetables (say, cherry tomatoes) to the sail pan, be sure to add them after the first one-half of cooking is complete.
Make certain information technology's done! Because we're cooking the breasts from frozen, it's super important that the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F.

(Epitome credit: Joe Lingeman)

Serving Chicken Breast Cooked from Frozen

Hither'due south my favorite hack for serving these frozen chicken breasts: While the craven breasts bake, cook some pasta and toss it with your favorite jarred sauce. Serve the craven breasts sliced on top of the pasta every bit sort of a weeknight chicken Parmesan. You lot tin can also merely slice the chicken breasts and serve them alongside some roasted broccoli and ranch dressing as an alternative to the bulldoze-thru you were considering on the commute home. This method volition be a phenomenon meal winner.

Learn how to safely and efficiently cook craven breast in the oven without thawing it beforehand.

shellfish-free
depression-carb
fish-costless
alcohol-gratis
peanut-free
pork-costless
sugar-witting
tree-nut-costless
soy-free
egg-free
red-meat-free

Per serving, based on

six

servings. (% daily value)

Calories 376
Fat 22.1 g (33.ix%)
Saturated 6.i g (30.4%)
Carbs three.6 thou (1.2%)
Fiber 0.2 one thousand (0.nine%)
Sugars 0.iii thousand
Protein 38.six g (77.2%)
Sodium 207.8 mg (eight.7%)

Ingredients

one/2
finely grated Parmesan cheese (most one ounce)
i/4 cup
dry out breadcrumbs
one/ii teaspoon
garlic pulverisation
ii tablespoons
olive oil
six
individually frozen chicken breasts (nearly i ane/2 pounds total)

Instructions

Estrus the oven and prepare a baking pan. Adjust a rack in the center of the oven and estrus to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Mix together the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and garlic powder. Place the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and garlic powder in a small basin and stir with a fork to combine.
Coat the chicken in the nibble mixture. Glaze the elevation of each chicken chest with virtually a teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle generously with the crumb mixture, so pat and press to make sure the blanket sticks.
Roast the chicken uncovered for thirty to forty minutes. Roast the craven breast uncovered for xxx to 40 minutes. I know that seems like quite the range, just smaller, thinner breasts cook more quickly. Start checking the chicken for doneness at about 25 minutes.
Test for doneness. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, probing from the side rather than the tiptop if possible. Be sure to check every single chest before removing it from the pan to a plate to balance; you want an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
Cool before serving. Cool the chicken for about 5 minutes earlier slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Meghan Splawn

Food Editor, Skills

Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday blistering, family cooking, and harnessing expert calorie-free. Meghan approaches food with an centre towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the get-go 10 years of her career equally role of Alton Brown'due south culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about nutrient and family chosen Didn't I Just Feed You.

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