Of all the chicken recipes out there, fried chicken is probably one of the most popular. Honestly, its hard to beat that contrast in flavors and textures: the juicy, flavorful interior and the extra crunchy exterior. Is there anything more craveable?.
Once you learn how to fry chicken properly, theres really no going back! You can serve it as is, smother it in gravy, or make an epic sandwich. And though it feels seemingly impossible that you could ever make too much fried chicken, there might come a time where you may have leftovers. But do you know how to reheat fried chicken to keep that crispy exterior and juicy center?.
Reheating can be a challenge. Thats because after awhile, the moistness of the meat seeps into the coating and makes it soggy. Are you ready to make that fried chicken taste even better? Here are three easy ways to do it. And no, none of them are the microwave. (Youll just get a rubbery center and mushy exterior. Yuck!).
We’ve all been there – you have some delicious breaded chicken leftovers from last night’s dinner, but you know that simply microwaving them will lead to a dried out, rubbery mess. Reheating breaded foods while maintaining that coveted crunch and moisture is tricky, but certainly not impossible with the right techniques. In this article, I’ll walk you through several methods to reheat your breaded chicken perfectly every time.
Oven Baking
One of the best and easiest ways to reheat breaded chicken without drying it out is in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 400°F and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet. The rack elevates the chicken from the pan so hot air can circulate all around the pieces to heat and crisp up the crust. Bake for 10-15 minutes until hot and crisp. Avoid the temptation to cover the chicken with foil during baking – this will just make it soggy. The key is exposing the crust to the dry oven air.
Air Fryer
An air fryer is a great gadget for reheating crispy foods like breaded chicken. Preheating your air fryer to 375°F, arrange the chicken in a single layer in the fryer basket. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, flipping halfway through, until heated through and crispy. Just like in the oven, resist piling the chicken pieces on top of each other – they need breathing room to get perfectly crispy. Air frying locks in moisture while crisping up the outside.
Stovetop
If you don’t have an oven or air fryer, you can also use the stove to reheat breaded chicken. This works best for smaller pieces. Put the pan on medium heat and add just enough oil to cover the bottom. Carefully add the chicken pieces and cook for two to three minutes on each side until everything is hot. It helps the heat reach the chicken evenly, and the oil gives the crust a little crunch.
Toaster Oven
A toaster oven is great for reheating small portions of breaded chicken. Simply preheat your toaster oven to 400°F and place the chicken on a rack over a baking sheet. Heat for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. The smaller oven size means the heat can better surround and crisp up the crust.
Deep Frying
The best way to achieve maximum crunch and juiciness is by deep frying the chicken again. Heat your oil to 350°F and fry the chicken pieces for 1-2 minutes until heated through and crispy. This obviously requires pulling out the deep fryer again, but is worth it if you need that fresh-from-the-fryer texture.
Microwave (With Caution)
I only recommend microwaving as a last resort. Cook the chicken pieces in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on very low power, letting them rest between cooking times. This keeps the chicken from drying out too much, but the crust will still get soft. In a pinch, when you have no other choice, you should only use the microwave.
Handy Tips
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Allow refrigerated chicken to come to room temp before reheating for more even heating
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Reheat any sauces or gravies separately to avoid sogginess
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Use parchment paper or a cooling rack to avoid direct contact with baking sheets
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Eat within 3-4 days for best texture and flavor
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in a Skillet
You can reheat chicken the same way you cooked it the first time: by frying it! This will give you a nice crisp exterior, though it might be a little greasier than the original version.
- Put neutral cooking oil in a large skillet and heat it on medium-high until it reaches 300 degrees. While this is going on, set the chicken out to get to room temperature.
- Add the chicken to the pan slowly and cook for two to three minutes.
- After two to three minutes, turn the chicken over and cook the other side.
- While the chicken is still hot, put it on a wire rack over some paper towels to drain for five minutes. This will get rid of the extra oil.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Oven
Much like baked chicken, a relatively hot oven will keep skin crisp while it heat the meat throughout. If you don’t have a wire rack, you can put the pieces on a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil and turn them over every half hour.
- Prepare the oven to 400 degrees and let the chicken rest for 10 to 30 minutes so that it is more like room temperature.
- Place the chicken on top of the wire rack on top of the sheet pan. So the heat can move around the chicken, making sure all sides stay crispy and it cooks evenly.
- Put the chicken in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it’s fully heated through.
How to Reheat Chicken Without Drying It Out
FAQ
How to make leftover breaded chicken crispy?
For the best results, the best reheating technique I’ve found has been reheating in a preheated oven. Using a microwave, while quicker, tends to turn our leftover crispy chicken soggy. Who wants that? For a crispier product, baking them is the best option.
What is the best way to reheat breaded food?
The next best thing to do is put everything on a rack with space between the pieces in an air fryer, toaster oven, or convection oven. Toast until crispy again.
How to moisten dry breaded chicken?
Recovery of Dry Chicken with Lots of Sauce—The issue with overcooked chicken is that it is dry, so adding more liquid- or fat-based ingredients can often help. These add the moisture that the meat lacks, so a good sauce or gravy will fix a lot of your problems. Dec 10, 2024.