Reheating fried chicken can be tricky. You want to make sure the chicken comes out hot and crispy, not soggy. Here are some tips for reheating leftover fried chicken so it tastes freshly fried.
Can You Reheat Fried Chicken?
Yes, you can reheat fried chicken to restore some of the original crispiness. How successful you are depends on a few factors:
- Cooking method – oven baking works better than microwaving.
- Moisture content – drier leftover chicken reheats better.
- Breading – thicker breading stays crisper.
- Temperature – the higher the temperature, the crispier the result.
While reheated fried chicken won’t be exactly the same as when first fried, you can still get good results. The key is using the right technique and not overheating it.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Oven
The oven is the best way to reheat fried chicken. It allows you to crisp up the outside coating evenly without over-drying the meat. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Arrange fried chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. Thicker pieces may take a little longer.
- Keep an eye on it as reheating times can vary based on the amount and thickness of chicken. The coating should look toasted and crisped up.
Baking the chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet allows maximum air circulation for extra crispiness. You can also brush the chicken lightly with vegetable oil or melted butter before reheating to boost browning.
Oven Frying
For an extra crispy result, oven fry the chicken. This technique mimics deep frying:
- Coat chicken pieces in a little flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs.
- Arrange on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Spritz or brush chicken with oil.
- Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until deeply golden brown and sizzling.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer
An air fryer works similarly to an oven, using super hot circulating air to crisp up the coating. Reheat fried chicken in an air fryer like this:
- Place chicken pieces in air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding.
- Set temperature to 350°F.
- Reheat 5-8 minutes until chicken looks crispy.
- For thicker, larger pieces, increase time to 10-12 minutes.
- Brush chicken lightly with oil first for added browning and crispness.
Tips for Air Fryer
- Use cooking spray on the basket to prevent sticking.
- Shake basket halfway during cooking time.
- Raise pieces off direct contact with basket for optimal air flow.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in a Skillet
You can also re-crisp fried chicken in a skillet on the stovetop. Heat up a thin layer of vegetable oil in a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add chicken pieces in a single layer and fry 1-2 minutes per side until heated through and golden brown again. Keep an eye on it so the coating doesn’t burn.
Tips for Skillet Method
- Pat chicken dry first for best browning.
- Use tongs to flip chicken pieces.
- Adjust heat as needed to prevent scorching.
- To maintain crispness, fry chicken just until hot, no more than 2-3 minutes per side.
How Long to Microwave Fried Chicken
The microwave can steam and soften the crispy coating on fried chicken. But it’s a quick option if you need to just heat it up. Microwave leftover fried chicken like this:
- Place chicken pieces on a microwave-safe plate, spaced apart.
- Microwave on HIGH in 30 second intervals until heated through.
- For a single piece, microwave about 1 minute. For several pieces, microwave 1-2 minutes.
- Let stand 1 minute before eating.
Microwave Tips
- Use a paper towel or clean napkin to cover chicken while heating.
- Microwave at half power for more even heating.
- Blast it for 10-15 seconds afterward to add slight crispness.
How to Keep Reheated Fried Chicken Crispy
Here are some extra pointers for keeping reheated fried chicken crispy:
- Let it cool completely before refrigerating so moisture doesn’t get trapped under the skin.
- Store fried chicken pieces loosely covered on a tray or rack so the crust stays dry and crispy.
- Avoid tightly wrapping fried chicken or storing pieces on top of each other.
- Reheat only until hot, not beyond or the coating may toughen.
- Eat reheated fried chicken immediately for optimal crispness and flavor.
Conclusion
The best way to reheat fried chicken is in the oven or air fryer. Baking at 350°F for 10-15 minutes crisps up the crust nicely without over-drying the meat. Microwaving works in a pinch but makes the coating soggy. Let fried chicken cool completely after frying before storing in the fridge so it stays as crispy as possible. With the right reheating method, you can revive leftover fried chicken to be almost as good as the fresh-fried version.