Frozen cooked chicken breast is great to keep on hand for simple weekday dinners or just for random cravings of fried chicken. To keep it a little healthier, bake it rather than frying. You can buy frozen breaded chicken or make your own and freeze for later use. Here's how to reheat the chicken in the oven. If the frozen chicken is precooked, there's no need to defrost before baking.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease a baking tray with olive oil or cooking spray.
Arrange the chicken pieces on the baking tray in a single layer; make sure not to layer any of the pieces on top of one another or they will not cook thoroughly. If there's more chicken than will fit in the tray, use multiple trays.
Place the tray on the center rack of the oven. The bake time varies depending on the size of the chicken pieces. For chicken nuggets, bake for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For breaded chicken breasts, bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Breaded chicken legs and thighs take a bit longer to ensure that they're heated through. Bake them for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Remove breaded chicken from the oven. Cut one of the pieces in half. Carefully touch the center to make sure it's not still cold. If it is, place the tray back on the center rack and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. If the breaded chicken contains bones, slice a piece at the thickest part of the meat to ensure it's heated through.
Set the tray on the stove top or other heat-protected surface. Let the chicken cool for 3 to 5 minutes, then serve.
Tip
For a wholesome, nutritious meal, serve baked breaded chicken with baked potatoes or fries and roasted or steamed vegetables.