How To Reheat Chicken Strips (Crisp and Tender!)

Chicken strips are a super popular in most homes because the whole family enjoys them. To avoid making an extra dish, we make these in big quantities and normally have some leftovers, which we store for later consumption. But how do you reheat the chicken strips the next day without losing the juiciness, crispiness, and their magical taste?

You are not limited to one method of reheating the chicken tenders. Instead, you can use an oven, microwave, air fryer, and a pan on the stove for reheating without affecting their texture and taste.

I will show you how to use these reheating methods, so you never have to worry about eating cold chicken strips. Keep reading.

Using a Microwave

It is the best method when you are in a hurry. Here is how you reheat your chicken strips:

1. Remove your chicken tenders from the fridge and rest them for a few minutes. This step ensures that your chicken is at room temperature and warm evenly.
2. Use damp paper towels to wet line the plate you will use for warming. The essence is to ensure your chicken strips do not dry.
3. Arrange the strips on the lined plate and cover them with other damp kitchen towels.
4. Put the plate in the microwave for a few minutes and reheat the chicken tenders. For good results, check them after every 30 seconds to avoid having them soggy.
5. Serve while hot. To enhance the flavors, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs such as parsley or rosemary.

Using an Oven

Not in a hurry? Use an oven to warm your chicken strips if you have a lot of time. Here is how:

1. Remove the chicken from the fried and let it attain room temperature.
2. Preheat your oven at temperatures between 350 °F and 400 °F. 
3. Arrange your chicken tenders on a baking dish or wire gauze while spacing them. The spaces allow all the parts of the chicken strips to heat evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy.
4. To prevent the strips from getting dry, lightly brush them with oil before putting them in the oven.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on their thickness.
6. Use a tong to pick one of the pieces for readiness. If some parts are not warm enough, consider turning the pieces and heat for a few more minutes.
7. Remove the strips from the oven and serve while hot with a sauce or sprinkle your favorite herbs.

Using an Air Fryer

It is the most efficient for reheating chicken tenders. Here is the process:

1. It is recommended always to allow your chicken strips to set to room temperature.
2. Use the air fryer’s basket for reheating the strips. Arrange them in this compartment without crowding the pieces. Leave spaces between the tenders.
3. Reheat them for about 3 minutes at 320 °F to 350 °F, depending on the thickness. Turn the pieces and reheat for 2 minutes at the same temperature.
4. Serve while hot. You can use seasoning of your choice to add flavor to your reheated strips.

Using a Pan on the Stove

If you do not have a microwave, oven, or air fryer, you can reheat your chicken tenders using a pan on the stove.

1. Like other reheating methods, remove your tenders from the fridge and let them reach room temperature.
2. Use oil (vegetable/canola) to cover the bottom of your pan. Ensure you use a heavy pan to avoid burning your chicken strips.
3. Heat the pan with oil in it until it reaches 400 °F. Heating the pan is important as it helps prevent the pieces from absorbing the oil.
4. Place the chicken strips on the pan using a tong. Place one at a time and arrange them without crowding. Make sure you leave some space between strips.
5. Use medium-high heat to fry the pieces for 2 minutes and only turn them once. Using medium-high heat, allow the tenders to heat evenly without burning. Fry them for one minute after turning.
6. Check to ensure they do not turn too dark. If the pan is too hot, you can adjust the heat to medium-low for better results.
7. Remove them and drain them in kitchen paper towels to remove the excess oil.
8. Serve hot with fresh herbs.

Do you have frozen chicken strips and want to enjoy them but don’t know how to reheat them? Or did you have a family dinner the previous night and pack the remaining chicken tenders in the fridge and want to eat them instead of preparing a different meal? I hope you can now reheat them using the processes provided here without ruining them. As we have seen, you can use various kitchen equipment to reheat your strips without affecting their texture and quality.