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Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts with Barbecue Sauce Recipe

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4.3 from 36 reviews

This easy and flavorful recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breasts allows you to cook frozen chicken quickly and effortlessly with a delicious barbecue glaze. The air fryer cooks the chicken evenly while keeping it juicy and tender, making it a perfect go-to meal for busy weeknights. The recipe includes tips to separate frozen chicken pieces and ensures thorough cooking with a digital thermometer for safety.

  • Total Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1-1.5 pounds frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts

Sauce and Seasonings

  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or as desired)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or more to taste if desired)
  • Optional other dried herbs or seasonings (such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder)
  • Optional fresh herbs for garnishing (fresh parsley, basil, mint, cilantro, green onions, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F if your model requires preheating to ensure even cooking.
  2. Prepare the barbecue glaze: In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, and any optional dried herbs or seasonings. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  3. Brush the frozen chicken: Place the frozen chicken breasts on a plate or directly in the air fryer basket. Lightly brush all sides of the chicken with the barbecue glaze mixture, lifting each piece to coat the underside. Save the remaining glaze for later.
  4. Separate frozen chicken pieces if needed: If any pieces are stuck together, run them briefly under warm water or soak in warm water for about 10 minutes to separate them safely without thawing completely.
  5. Arrange and air fry: Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook evenly.
  6. Flip and glaze again: Carefully flip each piece of chicken over. Brush the remaining barbecue glaze on all sides of the chicken pieces. Continue cooking in the air fryer for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken reaches the proper internal temperature.
  7. Check doneness: Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of each chicken breast. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 165°F. Remove smaller pieces as they finish cooking to avoid overcooking.
  8. Rest the chicken: Allow the chicken breasts to rest for 5-10 minutes on a cutting board or platter. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring moist and tender chicken.
  9. Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. Slice the chicken breasts if desired, and pour any flavorful juices collected in the air fryer basket over the chicken before serving for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Always use a food-safe digital thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached 165°F internally to ensure it is safely cooked.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket as this may lead to uneven cooking or longer cooking times.
  • If some chicken pieces are of varying sizes, remove smaller pieces earlier to prevent overcooking.
  • Adjust honey amount according to your preferred sweetness level in the glaze.
  • Frozen chicken breasts can be separated under warm water to help them cook more evenly.
  • Resting the chicken after cooking is crucial to maintain juiciness and tenderness.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/air-fryer-frozen-chicken-breasts-with-barbecue-sauce-recipe/