Cooking frozen chicken strips in a ninja food processor is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. Ninja food processors are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for chopping, blending, mixing, and more. With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly cooked chicken strips ready in under 30 minutes.
What You Need
To cook frozen chicken strips in a ninja, you will need:
- Frozen chicken strips or tenders
- Ninja food processor withstacked blade assembly
- Cooking spray or oil
- Seasonings of your choice (salt, pepper,paprika, etc.)
Make sure the chicken strips are fully frozen before cooking. Partially thawed chicken may release too much liquid into the ninja resulting in improperly cooked chicken. The stacked blade assembly works best for chopping and processing larger or denser ingredients.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect chicken strips cooked in the ninja:
- Preheat your ninja food processor by selecting the ‘preheat’ function if available on your model. If preheat is not an option, allow the ninja to run for 2-3 minutes before adding ingredients.
- Lightly coat the inside of the ninja bowl with cooking spray or oil. This will help prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Add the frozen chicken strips to the bowl. Do not overfill – work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Pulse a few times to break up any large pieces. You want the chicken cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Sprinkle your desired seasonings over the chicken pieces. For basic seasoning, use 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Lock the lid into place and select the ‘cook’ setting on your ninja model. Set cooking time based on quantity – start checking after 10-12 minutes. Cook until chicken is fully cooked through.
- Allow the ninja to naturally release pressure. Then carefully remove lid once pressure is fully released.
- Give chicken a final pulse to chop into smaller pieces if needed. Be cautious not to over-process into mush.
- Transfer cooked chicken strips out of ninja bowl immediately to avoid overcooking. Serve and enjoy!
The cooking time will vary based on how much chicken you are processing. Start checking for doneness after 10-12 minutes. Chicken should have an internal temperature of 165°F when fully cooked. Allowing the ninja to naturally release pressure prevents splatter and keeps chicken strips tender.
Tips
Follow these tips for the best results when cooking frozen chicken strips in a ninja:
- Partially thaw very large frozen chicken pieces before cooking.
- Use metal skewers or toothpicks to prevent thin strips from balling up in ninja.
- Add 1/4 cup liquid such as broth, wine, or water to help create steam.
- Use pulse function to chop cooked chicken to desired size.
- Add sauce ingredients like BBQ or buffalo sauce after cooking.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Time Saving Shortcut
For a quicker cooking time, try microwaving the frozen chicken strips first. Microwave in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish for 4-5 minutes to partially cook. Then add par-cooked strips to the preheated ninja to finish cooking through. This helps shorten the total cooking time.
Customize Your Chicken
Plain chicken strips are delicious, but you can also customize them with different seasonings, sauces, and sides:
Seasoning Ideas
- Lemon pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Onion powder and garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Chili powder and cumin
- Jerk seasoning
Sauce Ideas
- BBQ
- Ranch
- Honey mustard
- Buffalo
- Teriyaki
- Sweet and sour
Side Dishes
- Rice
- Pasta
- Roasted vegetables
- Potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Dinner rolls
Mix and match flavors to create different meals each time. Chicken strips are great on salads, in sandwiches, tacos, pasta dishes, and more.
Ninja Chicken Strip Recipes
BBQ Chicken Strips
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs frozen chicken strips
- 1⁄4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat ninja and coat bowl with oil.
- Add chicken and seasonings to bowl.
- Pulse to break up and mix seasonings.
- Cook 10-12 minutes until chicken is 165°F.
- Add BBQ sauce and pulse to coat chicken.
- Serve on buns with desired toppings.
Buffalo Chicken Strips
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs frozen chicken strips
- 1/3 cup hot sauce
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions:
- Preheat ninja and coat bowl with oil.
- Add chicken and seasonings to bowl.
- Pulse to break up and mix seasonings.
- Cook 10-12 minutes until chicken is 165°F.
- In a bowl, mix hot sauce and melted butter.
- Add sauce to ninja bowl and pulse to coat chicken.
- Serve with desired dressing for dipping.
Southwest Chicken Strips
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs frozen chicken strips
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup salsa
Instructions:
- Preheat ninja and coat bowl with oil.
- Add chicken and seasonings to bowl.
- Pulse to break up and mix seasonings.
- Cook 10-12 minutes until chicken is 165°F.
- Add salsa and pulse to coat chicken.
- Serve with rice, beans, guacamole, etc.
FAQs
Is it better to cook frozen or thawed chicken in the ninja?
Cooking frozen chicken strips in the ninja produces the best results. Frozen chicken holds its shape better during chopping and pulsing. Fully thawed chicken releases too much liquid into the ninja which can hinder even cooking.
How long does it take to cook chicken strips in a ninja?
Cooking time can vary from 10-15 minutes depending on amount and size of strips. Always cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow ninja to naturally release pressure before removing lid.
Can you put raw chicken in a ninja?
Yes, you can cook raw chicken in a ninja but it works best when frozen. The chopping blades evenly break up the chicken so it cooks evenly. Partially frozen or thawed chicken can release liquids that prevent thorough cooking.
Do you have to flip chicken strips while cooking in a ninja?
Flipping is not necessary when cooking in a ninja. The circulating hot air provides even cooking from all sides. Pulse chicken a few times at the start to break up pieces for thorough cooking.
How do you keep chicken strips from sticking in a ninja?
Lightly coat inside of ninja bowl with oil or cooking spray before adding chicken. Avoid overcrowding strips – cook in smaller batches if needed. Pulse instead of running continuously. Let pressure release before removing lid.
Cooking Chicken Safely
When cooking any poultry, proper handling and cooking is key to prevent foodborne illness:
- Defrost frozen chicken in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken.
- Wash hands, counters, and tools that touched raw chicken.
- Use a food thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temp.
- Do not rinse raw chicken, which can spread bacteria.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen chicken strips in a ninja food processor is a quick and easy dinner option with minimal preparation needed. Allowing the frozen chicken to chop into smaller pieces enables fast, even cooking. Simply choose your desired flavors, press a button, and you’ll have perfectly cooked chicken ready in under 30 minutes. Follow proper food safety guidelines and use the ninja’s built-in pressure cooker setting for fully cooked, tender chicken every time.