Want to turn rock-solid frozen chicken breasts into a juicy, flavorful dinner in just 30 minutes? Your Ninja Foodi pressure cooker makes it possible with zero thawing required. This protein-packed meal (48g per serving) delivers perfectly cooked chicken every time – tender, succulent, and ready for any recipe. Whether you’re a busy parent or meal-prep enthusiast, this foolproof method will become your new weeknight dinner hero.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: 2 pieces, frozen
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, for coating
- Spice Blend:
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your Ninja Foodi to 360°F/180°C for 5 minutes
- Season Mix: Combine garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, dill, dried parsley, and black pepper in a small bowl
- Coat Chicken: Brush olive oil evenly on frozen chicken breasts, then generously sprinkle the prepared seasoning mix
- Initial Cooking: Place seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 10 minutes
- Temperature Check: Verify internal temperature reaches 155°F. Continue cooking in 5-minute intervals if needed
- Resting Period: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes to reach a safe temperature of 165°F and ensure juiciness
Cooking Techniques
Your air fryer is about to become your best friend for cooking frozen chicken! The secret to perfect results is giving the chicken enough space in the basket – don’t overcrowd it. If you need to cook more pieces, it’s better to do them in batches. Keep an eye on the temperature with your meat thermometer, as chicken thickness can vary. The resting time is pure magic – those 5 minutes let all the tasty juices settle back into the meat!
Simple Swaps
No dill? No problem! Try using dried basil or oregano instead. You can swap the garlic salt for regular salt plus extra garlic powder. If you prefer a spicier kick, add some cayenne pepper or chili powder to the spice mix. Don’t have olive oil? Any neutral cooking oil will work just fine. The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is with seasonings – make it your own!
Serving Ideas
This juicy chicken is so tasty and fits into almost any meal! Slice it up for a hearty salad, serve it with your favorite roasted veggies, or tuck it into a warm pita with fresh greens. It’s also perfect for meal prep – cook extra pieces to use in sandwiches or wraps during the week. For a complete dinner, pair it with some quinoa or brown rice to soak up all those yummy spices.
Storage Tips
Let your chicken cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge – it’ll stay good for 3-4 days. Want to save it longer? Cut it into pieces, wrap them well, and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, warm it gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel on top to keep it moist. The leftovers are amazing cold too, straight from the fridge!
Ninja Foodi Frozen Chicken Breasts
Equipment
- Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer
- Instant Read Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F/180°C for five minutes.
- Mix together the garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, dill, dried parsley, and black pepper.
- Use your hands or a brush to coat the chicken breasts with olive oil. Then sprinkle the spice mixture on top of each piece of chicken evenly.
- Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook at 360 degrees on the air fryer setting for 10 minutes.
- Test the chicken using an instant read thermometer. If it has reached an internal temperature of 155°F, you can stop cooking. If it has not, continue cooking at 5 minute intervals until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes. This will bring the chicken to it’s final safe temperature of 165°F/74°C, and keep the meat juicy.
