Reheating leftover chicken can seem like a daunting task. Chicken often dries out and loses flavor when reheated in the microwave or oven. However, the Ninja Foodi makes reheating chicken incredibly easy and delicious!
The Ninja Foodi is an all-in-one multicooker that can air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, grill, bake, broil, dehydrate, and more. Its versatility and precise temperature control make it the perfect appliance for reheating chicken without drying it out.
There are a few different ways to reheat chicken in the Ninja Foodi depending on the amount and type of chicken you are working with. Below are steps for reheating a whole chicken, chicken breasts, shredded chicken, and chicken wings in the Ninja Foodi.
Reheating a Whole Chicken in the Ninja Foodi
Reheating a whole roasted chicken in the Ninja Foodi helps keep the meat moist and delicious. Follow these simple steps:
- Remove chicken from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
- Preheat Ninja Foodi using the air crisp function at 300°F.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- Place chicken directly in the pot.
- Air crisp chicken for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check internal temperature to confirm chicken reaches 165°F.
- Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before carving.
The Ninja Foodi’s air crisp function uses super heated air to quickly reheat the outside of the chicken while keeping the inside moist. Flipping the chicken halfway ensures even heating. Letting the chicken rest afterwards allows the juices to redistribute evenly.
Follow the same method for reheating rotisserie chicken purchased from the grocery store. Simply remove chicken from packaging, pat dry, and air crisp until hot.
Reheating Chicken Breasts in the Ninja Foodi
Leftover cooked chicken breasts are perfect for quick weeknight meals. Reheat them in the Ninja Foodi using the air crisp or bake functions.
To air crisp:
- Preheat air crisp at 300°F.
- Coat chicken breasts lightly with oil or cooking spray.
- Air crisp for 6-8 minutes per side until heated through.
To bake:
- Preheat bake function at 300°F.
- Place chicken breasts on elevated rack in pot.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
The air crisp function will make the outside of the chicken breasts crispy, while baking will gently reheat them. Both methods prevent the chicken from drying out.
Reheating Shredded Chicken in the Ninja Foodi
Shredded chicken is versatile and makes a great taco or burrito filling. Reheat shredded chicken in the Ninja Foodi gently using the steam function.
- Add 1 cup water to pot.
- Place steamer basket in pot.
- Add shredded chicken to basket.
- Select steam function and set time based on amount, 5-8 minutes for 2-3 cups.
- Fluff shredded chicken with a fork before serving.
Steaming gently heats the chicken without drying it out. Fluffing it with a fork separates any pieces that may have stuck together.
You can also reheat shredded chicken using the air crisp function. Simply spread chicken out evenly and air crisp 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reheating Chicken Wings in the Ninja Foodi
Crispy baked chicken wings are perfect for game day meals. Reheat them to crispy perfection in the Ninja Foodi.
- Pat wings dry with paper towels.
- Coat in a small amount of oil or cooking spray.
- Air crisp wings at 400°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
- Toss in your favorite sauce.
The high heat of the air crisp function will recrisp the outside of the wings. Tossing them in sauce after reheating prevents the sauce from burning.
For an extra crispy coating, dredge reheated wings in cornstarch, baking powder, and seasoning before air crisping. The coating will get perfectly crunchy.
Tips for Reheating Chicken in the Ninja Foodi
- Always allow refrigerated chicken to come closer to room temperature before reheating for more even heating.
- Pat chicken dry before reheating to prevent steaming.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Add a little oil or cooking spray to prevent chicken from drying out.
- Use lower oven temperatures between 300-400°F to gently reheat chicken.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after reheating before serving.
With the Ninja Foodi’s versatile cooking functions, reheating moist and delicious chicken is simple. Adjust cook times as needed based on amount of chicken and thickness of pieces. Soon you will be enjoying leftover chicken as good as new!
Common Questions About Reheating Chicken in the Ninja Foodi
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about reheating chicken in the Ninja Foodi:
Can you reheat frozen chicken in the Ninja Foodi?
Yes, you can reheat frozen chicken in the Ninja Foodi! First thaw the chicken by putting it in the refrigerator overnight. Then pat the chicken dry, coat with a little oil, and use the air crisp or bake functions to reheat to 165°F. Adjust cooking times for thicker frozen chicken pieces.
How long does it take to reheat chicken in the Ninja Foodi?
Reheating time depends on amount and type of chicken. Whole chicken takes 15-20 minutes, bone-in pieces 10-15 minutes, boneless breasts 6-12 minutes, shredded chicken 5-8 minutes, and chicken wings 5-7 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe temp.
Can you reheat chicken tenders in the Ninja Foodi?
Yes, chicken tenders reheat wonderfully in the Ninja Foodi. Pat dry, coat with oil, then air crisp or bake at 300°F for 5-8 minutes until heated through. Air crisping will recrisp the outside.
What is the best way to reheat chicken thighs in the Ninja Foodi?
The best way to reheat chicken thighs is to air crisp at 300°F or bake at 300°F on an elevated rack for 10-12 minutes per side until heated through. Brushing with oil prevents drying out.
How do you keep chicken moist in the Ninja Foodi?
Tips for keeping reheated chicken moist include: coating with oil, using lower oven temperatures, checking internal temp, and letting chicken rest before serving. Steaming shredded chicken also keeps it tender and juicy.
Delicious Ways to Use Reheated Chicken
Reheated chicken opens up a world of quick and easy meal ideas. Here are some delicious ways to use chicken reheated in the Ninja Foodi:
- Shredded chicken tacos or burritos
- Chicken Caesar salad
- Chicken Parmesan over pasta
- BBQ chicken pizza
- Chicken pot pie or casserole
- Chicken sandwiches
- Chicken salad lettuce wraps
- Chicken fried rice
- Chicken noodle soup
Get creative with spices, sauces, and other ingredients to give reheated chicken new life. Meal prepping and freezing shredded chicken or cooked chicken breasts makes throwing together meals like these a breeze.
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi allows you to reheat chicken to juicy, delicious perfection. Using functions like air crisp and steam, you can revel in leftovers almost as good as fresh cooked chicken. Follow the method best suited to the type and amount of chicken you are reheating. With a little practice, you will be a pro at reheating moist chicken any night of the week using your Ninja Foodi.