It was released on November 19, 2021 through Warner Records, as a single for her canceled extended play Icy Season and her upcoming debut studio album Pretty Bitch Music.

[1] Next to "Icy Chain", Saweetie contributed to the soundtrack for Bruised (2021), released the same day, with the track "Attitude".

[8] "Icy Chain" features Saweetie's "confident" rapping, and contains a reference to the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

[10] On November 20, Saweetie performed a medley composed of "Icy Chain", "Tap In", and "Best Friend" on Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by actor Simu Liu that day.

[4] Saweetie again performed "Icy Chain" at the iHeart Radio Jingle Ball event in New York.