Best way to cook frozen boneless skinless chicken breast

How to cook frozen chicken breast in oven so it’s tender and delicious with every single bite. Juicy seasoned as you wish, healthy dinner idea. This is just one of many recipes on how to cook frozen chicken perfectly.

Have you ever wanted to cook a frozen chicken breast in oven because you forgot to defrost it the night before? Be honest, you have. Never thought it would turn out well? I’m here to help with cooking frozen meat to tender tips for that next forgetful moment. You’re welcome. (affiliate links present)

How to Cook Chicken From Frozen

This isn’t the first go around with cooking frozen chicken. We are a busy family and things happen. I don’t always think about dinner prep the day before (though I should) so these kitchen hacks come in handy. First I had to do some experimenting to get it just right. Faster than making our Crockpot frozen chicken breasts and just as moist.

I started with how to cook air fryer frozen chicken breast. Because this machine is my newest obsession of course I had to go there at the beginning. If you don’t have one you could instead follow our slow cooker frozen chicken instructions. Great if you want to serve soft tacos for dinner.

Oh yeah, I forgot all about how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot too. Comes out tender and shredded when done that way too. Toss with some sauce and throw it on slider buns for a cheap and quick meal.

Frozen Chicken in the Oven

Now it was time for the “old fashioned” method, we all have an oven y’all. I’ll admit I don’t use this thang very often anymore. I’ve 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 isn’t always possible.
You’ll 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.

Let’s talk about all you need to get this done. Take note that you will want some non stick spray so they don’t 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 (not overlapping). If they’re stuck together just run them under warm water to separate easily.

1. A few frozen breasts, I always recommend medium sizes so they aren’t super thick
2. Brush on some olive oil to keep them moist
3. Sprinkle your favorite seasonings on top as you normally would, or you could brush sauce on like our Instant Pot frozen chicken breast with sauce
4. Foil and non stick spray are needed

You can see the prep here.

How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in Oven

So this is faster than baking a frozen whole chicken in oven, but you could do that too if you have a crowd to feed. Of course if you had thawed or fresh pieces the timing would be different, bone-in makes a difference too. We go over this in our how long to cook chicken breast in oven 350 post here.

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray lightly with non stick spray. If stuck together just run the block under warm water to separate.
• Put the chicken breasts on baking tray with a large lip (or casserole dish. Brush or drizzle olive oil over all of them.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and/or seasonings of your choice.
  • Cover the top with foil so they can “steam”.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes depending on the size.
    • There will be a big difference in thickness so I highly suggest medium sized pieces – I will say that again and again.
• Check each after 20 minutes cooking time with an instant read thermometer in the middle, at thickest part. Bake until chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
• Remove and allow to rest on sheet for 10 to 15 minutes. Then serve and slice.

I almost always pour some barbecue sauce on the top when done, teriyaki sauce is amazing too. Adds more moisture to the dish. OR dice it up, toss with sauce and serve over white rice for dinner.

Alternatively you can do it a second way. Baking at a lower temperature for longer works too. I have tried 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to 50 minutes until it reaches a safe temp.

Your choice, steaming with it enclosed in foil seems to work best but not everyone likes to use aluminum. You can just spray the tray directly with non stick.

See…no need to thaw chicken if you don’t have time y’all. You can even cook a frozen whole chicken in Crockpot or make grilled frozen chicken too now! I wouldn’t suggest this in the oven as it would need to be in there for a really long time and I think a slow cooker is just more energy efficient for that.

I will say it is the very best if your breasts and or frozen chicken thighs aren’t rock hard but things happen. Hope this helps you save the day too, I know it has helped me time and time again.

Don’t throw away what is left though!! We have a ton of leftover chicken breast recipes on our site you can use to make another meal the next day too.

How to cook frozen chicken breast in oven so it's tender and delicious with every single bite. Juicy seasoned as you wish, healthy dinner idea

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword baked, chicken breast, frozen chicken, moist, oven

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 22 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 191kcal

• 2-4 medium chicken breasts frozen, medium, not super thick, separated from one another
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1-2 tsp Mrs. Dash or Lawry's seasoned salt
• salt and pepper to taste when done

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with non stick spray. If stuck together run under water to separate breasts from one another.

• Place frozen breasts on baking tray with a large lip (or casserole dish), separated from one another, and drizzle olive oil over all of them.

• Sprinkle with seasonings of choice. Cover the top with foil so they can "steam". Bake for 20-22 minutes depending on the size. There will be a big difference in thickness, I highly suggest medium sizes I will say that again and again.

• Check after 20 min. with a meat thermometer in middle at thickest portion and bake until it reaches 165 degrees F.

• Remove and allow to rest on sheet for 10 minutes. Then serve and slice.

Nutrition Facts

Frozen Chicken Breast in Oven

Amount Per Serving (2 oz)

Calories 191 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 72mg24%

Sodium 131mg6%

Potassium 418mg12%

Protein 24g48%

Vitamin A 34IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 6mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.