Air frying frozen shredded chicken is a quick and easy way to cook up delicious chicken for meals or snacks. With an air fryer, the frozen chicken comes out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside in a short amount of time.
How Long Does It Take to Air Fry Frozen Shredded Chicken?
The exact air fry time for frozen shredded chicken can vary slightly depending on the amount you are cooking and your specific air fryer model. However, in general, it takes about 10-15 minutes to cook frozen shredded chicken in an air fryer.
Here are some more specific air fry times for frozen shredded chicken:
- 1 cup shredded chicken: About 12-14 minutes at 380°F
- 2 cups shredded chicken: About 14-16 minutes at 380°F
- 3 cups shredded chicken: About 16-18 minutes at 380°F
Smaller batches may cook a little faster, while larger batches may take a couple more minutes. Checking the chicken and stirring halfway through is recommended to ensure even cooking.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for crispy, juicy air fried frozen shredded chicken:
- Use completely frozen shredded chicken – Do not thaw before air frying.
- Separate and break up any clumps in the chicken before cooking.
- Cook at 380°F, stirring halfway through.
- Spray or brush chicken with a little oil before air frying for extra crispness.
- Cook in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
- Check for doneness before removing from the air fryer.
How to Tell When It’s Done
Here are some ways to tell when your frozen shredded chicken is fully cooked in the air fryer:
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Chicken is golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- No traces of pink remain inside the chicken.
- Chicken shreds easily with a fork.
The chicken may look slightly underdone even when the internal temperature is correct. If in doubt, you can cook it for a couple more minutes to ensure it is fully cooked through.
Serving and Storage
Air fried frozen shredded chicken is great served immediately after cooking. Here are some serving ideas:
- In tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or nachos
- Over salad or rice
- In chicken wraps or sandwiches
- As a pizza topping
- In casseroles or stir fries
You can also allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Freezing Cooked Shredded Chicken
For longer term storage, you can freeze your air fried shredded chicken:
- Cool the cooked chicken completely.
- Portion into freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating to serve.
Conclusion
Air frying makes cooking up frozen shredded chicken so fast and easy. In just 10-15 minutes, you can have tender, juicy chicken ready to enjoy in all kinds of dishes. Follow the recipe tips above for the perfect air fried chicken every time. Enjoy your quick and tasty shredded chicken straight from the air fryer!