STOP! If you want to know how to reheat fried chicken, then you are definitely in the right place.
On this page, you will learn about the 4 best methods you can use to perfectly warm up leftover fried chicken.
I have used these methods personally and have had amazing results, each and every time.
With that said, let us jump right into it.
Best Way to Reheat Fried Chicken (4 Methods to Use)
If you have leftovers or frozen fried chicken that you need to reheat, you have a couple of excellent options available to you.
The 4 recommended methods are:
- The Oven/Toaster Oven
- An Air Fryer
- A Deep Fryer
- A Skillet/on the Stovetop
Below, we will take an in-depth look at each method, highlighting the exact steps needed to reheat properly.
We will also answer the question that many seem to be asking, which is “can fried chicken be reheated in the microwave?”
So, let’s get into it.
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Reheating Fried Chicken Using the Oven/Toaster Oven
The oven/toaster oven is by far the best way to reheat cold fried chicken.
The reheating time will depend on the part of the chicken (leg, thigh, breast or wing). However, depending on it was refrigerated or frozen, it should take anywhere from 15-25 minutes to get everything reheated properly.
Steps
- Preheat your oven/toaster oven to 350F.
- Place the fried chicken on a baking sheet. You can cover the baking sheet with foil if you want to make cleanup easier.
- Take the baking sheet of chicken and place in the oven, where they will warm up between 15-25 minutes. Breasts and thighs will take longer to reheat (20-25 mins) as opposed to legs and wings (15-20 mins).
- You should keep a very close eye on these chicken pieces, as you want to ensure that they are not overcooked.
- Once heated up properly (internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit), remove from the oven.
- Allow the chicken to cool, before serving.
Note: The heating times for the toaster oven might be a bit different. Check to ensure that the chicken is fully heated up in the toaster oven. If some parts are still cold, you can keep them in for an extra 5-15 minutes.
Listen, if you really want juicy succulent fried chicken like you had days ago, please do not reheat the chicken in a microwave, toaster oven or stove top.
Reheating Fried Chicken Using the Air Fryer
An air fryer is essentially a mini convection oven and this makes it an excellent choice to perfectly reheat fried chicken.
Fried chicken warmed up in the air fryer will be not only be steaming hot, but it will be crispy, just as you expect it to be.
The air fryer is a lot quicker than the oven, so if you want speed and proper reheating, it is definitely should be your go-to option.
Steps
- Place the leftover fried chicken in the air fryer basket.
- (Optional) Spray the chicken with extra virgin olive oil.
- Reheat the chicken at 320 Fahrenheit/160 Celsius for 6-7 minutes (3 minutes on each side)
- Once heated up, remove the fried chicken from the air fryer, allow to cool and serve.
Reheating Fried Chicken Using the Deep Fryer
If you have a deep fryer, you could always ‘refry’ your fried chicken.
This is a sure fire way to get them warmed up. Howeverm there is a chance you could overcook the chicken if it is left in too long.
Also, adding the chicken back into oil is not the healthiest option.
Steps:
- Heat up some oil in the deep fryer.
- Place the fried chicken in the deep fryer basket and submerge in the oil.
- The fried chicken should be kept in for just a couple of minutes (3-5), as it was previously cooked. You do not want to overcook the pieces of chicken.
- Once heated up, remove the pieces from the fryer and place of a cooling rack.
- Allow the chicken to cool before serving.
Reheating Fried Chicken in a Skillet/Stovetop
Fried chicken can be reheated in a frying pan/skillet.
Like the deep fryer, it is not one of the best methods to use, as you will be essentially ‘pan frying’, already fried chicken.
The chicken can soak up more oil and there is a chance the coating of chicken could come out soggy, if not done properly.
Steps:
- Preheat a skillet/frying pan on a medium flame.
- Add oil to the pan and let it heat up.
- Once the oil is properly heated up, add the pieces of chicken to the skillet/frying pan.
- Let them warm up for 3-5 minutes on each side. You want to reheat the chicken, but not re-cook it.
- Once heated up properly, remove the chicken pieces and let them sit on a cooling rack.
- After cooling, serve.
Can You Microwave Fried Chicken to Reheat It?
Many of you have microwaves sitting in your kitchen, so I am pretty sure you must be wondering why this kitchen appliance was not on our recommended list of reheating options?
When it comes reheating fried foods, the microwave is not an option.
This is because of how the microwave heats food up. Fried foods tend to end up being soft and soggy.
The microwave will heat the chicken up, but best believe the exterior will be mushy, a far cry from the crispiness you are expecting.
If you do not care about the crunch factor, then you can always throw the chicken pieces in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Just be aware that the eating experience will be vastly different.
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Wrapping it up
When it comes to reheating fried chicken, your best option is to go with the oven, air fryer or skillet. The microwave should never be considered, unless you do not care about the chicken being crispy and crunchy.
With that said, which method from our list will you be using to warm up your chicken?
Leave a comment and let me know.
The best way is a hybrid of two methods. Letting chicken sit out to warm at room temperature is the worst thing you can do to it, from a food safety perspective, and slow. Set the oven to preheat to 375F. While it is heating, microwave the chicken until lukewarm – you just want to “take the chill off it,” as they say, so you may as well do it the safe, quick way. (I can’t give you an exact time due to variances in microwave ovens, and I don’t know how much chicken you have.) Then pop it in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This way you’ll end up with as few bacteria and nasties as possible and chicken that is both crispy and warmed all the way through – no soggy breading or cold center – without having to wait an hour.
Thanks. I followed your instructions . The chicken was great. Enjoyed your humor!
Thanks for the step by step instructions. I followed them exactly and the chicken was great!
Good stuff, Jeremy! I’ve never liked left-over fried chicken because it’s never anywhere near as good as the day it was fried, but your directions were spot on. It’s worth the 20 minute wait for crispy, crunchy outside, and moist and tender inside. Thank you!!
Thanks the chicken was great.
Awesome chicken didn’t destroy the chicken this time thank you from my family and me