Frozen Chicken Kiev In The Air Fryer

If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal for the whole family, look no further than air fryer frozen chicken kiev.

With garlic butter and a crispy coating, this classic dish can be cooked in 15-20 minutes (at 360 F/180 c), saving you hours of cooking time in the oven.

In this article, I’ll show you how to cook frozen chicken kievs in the air fryer. So, you can enjoy a delicious and stress-free meal any night of the week.

There is a recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Why cook frozen chicken kievs in an air fryer?

Easy – Frozen chicken kievs are easy to cook in an air fryer. Simply add them to your air fryer basket and the air fryer for 15-20 minutes. You can cook them frozen, no need to defrost them.

Quick – Air frying your frozen chicken kievs will take less time than cooking them in a conventional oven. Including pre-heating time my oven will cook a kiev in 35 minutes vs. 15 – 20 minutes in an air fryer.

Crispy – Your air fryer will crisp the chicken kiev to perfection. If cooking more than one kiev make sure they are not touching to allow the hot air to evenly cook and crisp the kievs.

How long does it take to cook chicken kievs in the air fryer?

It takes 15-20 minutes in an air fryer set at 360 F (180 c) to air fry pre-cooked frozen chicken kievs. If the chicken kievs are not pre-cooked and frozen it will take 30-35 minutes to cook.

The cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken kiev. As they vary by brand use a digital meat thermometer to check the kievs are cooked through before serving. They will be safe to serve when they have an internal temperature of 165 F (74 c).

What equipment do I need to cook chicken kievs in an air fryer?

To cook chicken kiev in an air fryer, all you need is…

• Kitchen tongs – To turn and remove the chicken kievs once cooked.
• Digital instant-read thermometer – To check the kievs are safe to serve.
• Air fryer liner (optional) – Parchment paper, aluminum foil, or silicone to reduce clean-up time.

How to cook chicken kievs in an air fryer

To save some time by cooking chicken kievs in an air fryer. Follow these simple steps…

Step 1 – Preheat the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 360 F (180 c).

Step 2 – Prepare the basket

Once the air fryer has pre-heated, add an air fryer basket liner if using. Parchment paper or silicone are all great options. 

Step 3 – Add chicken kievs

Place chicken kievs in the air fryer basket. Leave space between the kievs.

Step 4 – Cook

Air fry the chicken kievs for…

• Pre-cooked frozen kievs = 15 minutes.
• RAW frozen kievs = 30 minutes

Step 5 – Check

After 15 minutes check that the chicken kievs are cooked. Use a digital meat thermometer to check if the kievs have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 165 F (74 c).

Step 6 – Extra Time (if required)

If you like the outside of the kievs to be extra crispy or the internal temperature is not above 165 F (74 c). Air fry for another 2-3 minutes. Repeat this step until the kievs are cooked to your preference and the internal temperature is above 165 F (74 c).

Step 7 – Serve

Once the chicken kievs are cooked to your preference and the internal temperature is above 165 F (74 c) use the tongs to remove them from the air fryer.

Top tips

Preheat – For the best results preheat the air fryer to the correct temperature. Pre-heating will help you serve up golden brown kievs with a crispy coating.

No touching – If cooking more than one kiev, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not touching.

Internal temperature – As sizes of chicken kievs vary by brand. It is difficult to provide an exact cooking time. Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken kievs is above 165 F (74c) before serving.

Rest – After cooking your chicken kievs let them rest for a minute or so before serving. 

Avoid leftovers – If your frozen chicken kievs are pre-cooked, try to avoid cooking too many. Reheating chicken twice is not recommended.

Serving with

When it comes to side dishes to serve with air fryer chicken kiev, the great thing is there are plenty of options to choose from.

Consider serving this classic chicken dish with a fresh green salad or air-fried vegetables. As well as a side dish of mashed potatoes, french fries, rice, or couscous.

And if you’re looking for a great way to add some extra flavor and color to your dish. Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley and ground black pepper on top of the chicken kievs before serving.

Common questions

How do I store leftover chicken kievs?

Try to avoid leftovers, especially if the frozen chicken kievs are pre-cooked.

If you do end up having some leftover chicken kievs, wait for them to cool to room temperature and put them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat chicken kievs?

If the kievs were pre-cooked, do not reheat them. It is a good idea to eat them cold.

If the kievs were raw when you cooked them, air fry them at 340 F (170 c) for 10 minutes. Check the internal temperature is above 165 F/74 c before serving.

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Air Fryer Frozen Food – All the best frozen food recipes in one place to help you make the most of your air fryer.

Recipe card