Second Time’s the Charm: How to Reheat Chicken for A Tasty Meal

Chicken is easily one of the most popular meats in the world, and there are plenty of amazing ways to eat it. Fried, roasted, in a sandwich, or even thrown on the grill, there are countless ways to prepare and enjoy this versatile food. But once you finish enjoying your meal, does the rest of it end up in the fridge? If so, then you might find yourself scratching your head in confusion over how to reheat chicken so it can be just as good as your last meal.

Sometimes you want to figure out how to reheat chicken wings, roasted chicken, or leftover rotisserie chicken. The great thing is, figuring out how to reheat chicken isn’t too hard, and once you get a handle on it, you can reheat any type of chicken in various different ways!

Can You Reheat Chicken Safely Without Losing Any Taste?

One of the biggest problems with reheating anything, regardless of the food or the method, is the fear that the texture, taste, or flavor of the food can be compromised. Nevertheless, reheating leftover chicken is a safer option than consuming it cold since it effectively eliminates harmful bacteria. If you are wondering: can you reheat chicken twice, then you might also think that the reheating process will turn the chicken rubbery or otherwise reduce the taste and the texture. However, if you reheat the chicken properly using your chosen method, then you can make it taste just as good as the first night! Enjoying leftovers is easy when you reheat chicken in the right way.

Where Can You Reheat Chicken?

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can reheat all types of chicken However before we look at the best method, we should look at each appliance and how to use them for the best results.

How to Reheat Chicken In The Oven?

The process to reheat chicken in oven is a pretty simple one, and if you do it correctly you will get perfect chicken with a crispy outside and a very warm and juicy inside. Here are the steps you need to follow for any type of cooked chicken.

1. Make sure that your pre-cooked chicken is removed from the fridge and brought to room temperature,
2. Next, you will need to place the chicken in an ovenproof dish that has been sprayed down with oil, butter, or cooking spray, so it doesn’t stick and burn.
3. Preheat the oven between 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius). Place the chicken on the middle rack once the oven is at the right temperature.
4. Warm the chicken in the oven for 20-30 minutes. The exact time needed will vary depending on the type of chicken, how much you are reheating, and how big the pieces are.
5. Make sure to monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer occasionally to check the progress. The internal temp should come to at least  165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius).
6. When the proper temperature has been achieved, you can remove your chicken, let it stand for a few minutes, then enjoy it with whatever sides or dishes you have planned.

How To Reheat Chicken In The Air Fryer?

If you want to reheat chicken in air fryer (because what can’t an air fryer do?) guess what? You can! As long as the chicken is cut into small enough pieces to fit, it can be reheated in the air fryer. We recently purchased a Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven, and I have been going to town heating different foods in it. However, Here are some things to keep in mind with this method:

• Even if the chicken is frozen or has been placed in the fridge, you don’t need to reheat it to room temperature or thaw it. 
• You also don’t need to pre-heat the air fryer; instead, you just need to set the air fryer temperature from 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). 

• One of the biggest dangers of reheating chicken is that it becomes very dry. Thankfully with an air fryer, you will overcome that issue as it reheats chicken and other meats evenly without drying it out and making it tough and chewy. 
• Check the internal temperature every five minutes until you get to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius), and then you can start eating! It is as simple as that!

How to Reheat Chicken In The Microwave?

Sometimes you are hungry and in a hurry, so reheating your chicken in microwave sounds like the best option. You just need to keep an eye on it, because microwaved chicken can dry out and become rubbery and dry very quickly. Even if you get perfectly moist chicken, it can heat very unevenly, leading to some portions that burn your mouth and others that have not been cooked at all.

It is possible to reheat chicken this way so long as you pay attention and keep an eye on things as they cook. The best way to ensure you get perfectly moist and warm microwaved chicken every time is to make sure to arrange boneless skinless chicken on a microwave safe plate, with smaller pieces in the center and larger pieces on the edges. 

Once the plate is arranged and placed in the microwave, you just need to follow these steps.

1. Add a tablespoon or two of water to the plate. The excess water will keep the chicken moist as it heats up and evaporates. 
2. Reheat  the chicken in the microwave for two minutes, flip the pieces, and then heat it in thirty-second intervals. 
3. You will need to repeat this process, warming the chicken for 20-30 seconds each time, flipping the pieces to ensure even heating. Do this until you get an internal temperature of 165.
4. Remove the chicken from the microwave and let it rest for a few minutes and then serve and enjoy!

You can heat bone-in or skin-on chicken in the microwave. However, it is important to remember you will need to cook it longer, and there is a greater risk of overcooking it if you go more than 30 seconds or so at a time. 

The Best Way To Reheat Chicken

The best way to reheat chicken, whether it is fried, skin-on, bone-in, boneless, or any other combination, is the air fryer. Even if the chicken is frozen, you can still reheat it in the air fryer without any extra steps or time spent preheating or thawing. In the air fryer, you can get wonderfully cooked chicken with a crispy outside and a juicy and warm inside.

Now, if all you have is an oven, you can still make wonderful reheated chicken. Especially if you have your chicken as a component for a large meal. Throwing it all in the oven can warm everything up with no trouble at all! You will just need to watch the chicken closely to make sure the heating doesn’t go too far and leave you with dried-out chicken.

Additionally, the smaller the chicken pieces are, the greater chance they have of drying out while being cooked. So while you might need to cut the chicken up so it can fit in an air fryer or your microwave, you should do your best to keep the chicken intact. If you do need to cut it or are reheating smaller chicken pieces, then make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out.

Make Reheated Chicken As Good As The First Night!

If you want to reheat a chicken meal, you can do so in many different ways. From tossing your chicken into the oven to reheating it in the air fryer, to placing it in the microwave, no matter what type of chicken dinner you have to reheat as leftovers, you won’t need to worry about the meat getting cold. Soon you will find the best way to learn how to reheat chicken that works best for you, and once you get it right, your meal will be amazing!