Description

This Sous Vide Frozen Chicken Breast recipe is your ultimate guide to achieving perfectly juicy, tender chicken every time—even straight from the freezer! Using the sous vide cooking method, you’ll lock in all the natural flavors and juices, ensuring a deliciously moist result that’s ideal for any meal. With minimal ingredients and a hands-off cooking process, this recipe is great for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Finish with a quick sear for a golden-brown crust and enjoy restaurant-quality chicken at home.

Ingredients

Scale

4 frozen chicken breasts (6–8 oz each)
1 teaspoon salt (1/4 teaspoon per breast)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1/8 teaspoon per breast)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon per breast)
2–3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional)
2–3 sprigs of fresh thyme (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
2 tablespoons butter (optional, for searing)
Vacuum seal bags or zip-lock bags (for sealing the chicken)

Instructions

Step 1: Season the Frozen Chicken Breasts

Take the frozen chicken breasts out of the freezer.
Season each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
For extra flavor, add a sprig of fresh rosemary and thyme to each bag.

Step 2: Vacuum Seal the Chicken

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in vacuum seal bags. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, use zip-lock bags.
Use the water displacement method to remove as much air as possible from the zip-lock bags if you’re not vacuum-sealing.

Step 3: Prepare the Sous Vide Water Bath

Fill a large container or pot with water and attach your sous vide precision cooker.
Set the temperature to 140°F (60°C) for juicy, tender chicken, or 165°F (74°C) for a firmer texture.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Submerge the sealed chicken breasts in the water bath once the temperature is reached.
Cook for 2 to 2.5 hours to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked since it’s starting from frozen.

Step 5: Sear the Chicken for a Perfect Finish

After the sous vide cooking process is complete, remove the chicken breasts from the bags and pat them dry with paper towels.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Once hot, sear each chicken breast for 30 seconds per side, until a golden-brown crust forms.
For added richness, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the pan during the searing process.

Step 6: Serve

Slice the chicken breasts and serve immediately. They can be paired with sides like roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Notes

Seasoning Variations: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can add smoked paprika, lemon zest, or other herbs like sage or oregano for additional flavor.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, place the chicken in a sous vide water bath set to 140°F for about 30 minutes or heat gently in a skillet with a bit of olive oil.

Prep Time: 5 minutes (Seasoning and vacuum sealing)
Cook Time: 2 to 2.5 hours (Sous vide cooking) 5 minutes (Searing)
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American, French-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 6-8 oz per serving)
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 0 grams
Sodium: 400 mg
Fat: 8 grams
Saturated Fat: 2 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Protein: 35 grams
Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: "Sous Vide Frozen Chicken Breast Recipe | Tender, Juicy & Easy"