How to Reheat KFC Chicken? (2 Best Methods You Need to Use)

Everyone knows that there is fried chicken and then there is KFC. KFC with their 11 herbs and spices is an amazing experience and once you eat one piece of chicken, you are going to want more and more and more.

There is really nothing better than cold fried chicken and you should give it a try, but if you are here, then maybe are looking to recapture that hot and crispy goodness. Most people will opt for a microwave, but that usually results in soggy chicken. The best way to reheat KFC would be to use the oven.

Can You Reheat Leftover KFC? (Is It Safe to do?)

Yes, you can reheat KFC chicken. However, was the chicken in the fridge or was it sitting outside? If the chicken has been unrefrigerated for 2 hours or more, you should discard it. This is because bacteria can start to grow on the food, making it unsafe for consumption.

If it’s been in the refrigerator, then you will be able to reheat it with no problems.

While it really is best to have your KFC freshly made, sometimes that doesn’t work out. So, if you have leftover Kentucky Fried Chicken (including hot wings or popcorn chicken nuggets) that you want to warm up, there are a few ways you can do it.

Reheating KFC 2 Best Options to Use

When it comes to reheating KFC chicken, there are three main methods that we recommend that you use:

• Air Fryer
• Oven/Toaster Oven

Let’s now take a look at each of these reheating methods in detail.

How to Reheat KFC in the Air Fryer?

What we love about the air fryer is that it’s really fast and efficient way to reheat fried chicken (KFC being no exception). You are guaranteed for your KFC to be crispy and not soggy.

Here is how you do it:

1. Preheat your air fryer: Set the temperature to 350°F or 177°C and let the air fryer heat up for about 2-3minutes.
   
2. Place your KFC in the air fryer: Arrange the KFC chicken pieces on the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space between each other.
   
3. Spray With Oil: This is an optional step (the chicken will reheat just fine without oil). However, you can spray the KFC chicken with oil to make sure it comes out extra crispy.
   
4. Reheat: Allow the chicken to reheat for about 8-10 minutes. Flip the pieces halfway through.
   
5. Check the temperature: Before serving, make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be at least 165°F or 74°C before eating.
   
6. Enjoy: Serve and enjoy your reheated KFC chicken.

Note:. If you want it crisper, let it heat up for another 1-2 minutes.

How to Reheat KFC in the Oven?

If you do not own an air fryer, you can always use your oven or toaster oven to reheat KFC chicken. The process is quite simple and yields delicious results!

Here’s how you do it:

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F or 177°C and let it heat up for about 5 minutes.
2. Place KFC on a Baking Sheet: Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
3. Reheat: Place the chicken in the oven and let it reheat for about 20-25 minutes. Check the chicken halfway through to prevent over-cooking.
4. Check the temperature: Before serving, make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a thermometer. It should be at least 165°F or 74°C before eating.
5. Enjoy: Serve and enjoy your reheated KFC chicken.

Can You Reheat KFC in the Microwave?

You might be wondering why we didn’t include the microwave as an option for reheating KFC chicken. I mean, it is the fastest and easiest way to reheat food right? Well, in this case, the answer is no.

While microwaving is a fast and easy option for a variety of foods, it is not ideal for reheating fried chicken. This is due to how microwaves work. The microwave heats up the food by producing waves that cook from the inside out. This means you end up with soggy fried chicken that’s not crispy.

If you find yourself in a desperate situation and have no oven or air fryer, then go ahead and use the microwave.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Take the KFC you want to reheat and place it in a microwave safe plate/container
2. Set microwave for reheat or you can put it to heat up for 1 min.
3. Check to see if it is at a temperature you like
4. If it is still cold, then you let it warm up a bit more
5. Take out and enjoy

Final Thoughts

When it comes to reheating KFC, you have a few options. For the best and most efficient results, we recommend using an air fryer. If you don’t have one, then an oven or toaster oven will do just fine.

Using these methods will ensure that your KFC chicken is reheated fast, stays crispy and most of all, delicious!

So, go ahead and enjoy your leftovers and let me know how it turned out! Enjoy.