Say goodbye to soggy leftover chicken, and hello to the deliciousness of reheated fried chicken in an air fryer. We have the perfect solution for bringing that fried chicken back to life. Let us show you the best way to revive the taste of fried chicken through air frying.
Fried chicken is a classic dish, but often times when we reheat it, it can become soggy and lose its crunchiness. That’s why it’s time to say goodbye to soggy fried chicken and hello to a crunchy exterior and a tender interior. We have a secret that can help make your reheated fried chicken taste just as good as a freshly cooked one. With this article, you can learn how you can reheat fried chicken in air fryer to transform your experience. So, get ready to say goodbye to soggy chicken and enjoy the crunchy, juicy goodness of fried chicken once again.
Why reheating leftover Fried Chicken in the air fryer is best instead of microwave?
Reheating leftover fried chicken in the air fryer is better instead of the microwave because air fryers use air-circulating methods for cooking food. This method makes the reheated fried chicken crispy from the outside and it remains juicy, and moist from the inside, which is not possible to do in the air fryer.
How to store any leftover fried chicken?
It is very easy to store leftover fried chicken in an air fryer. All you need to do is to put the fried chicken into the air-tight dish or wrap it in foil paper. After that, put it into the refrigerator or freezer. In this way, you can store the fried chicken for up to 5 days. Make sure you do this after cooking it as soon as possible. According to the experts, the ideal time to freeze the leftover fried chicken is within two hours of cooking.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in Air Fryer?
Reheating chicken in the air fryer is very easy. You just need to follow the simple method which is given below:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.
- Prepare the Fried Chicken: To reheat fried chicken in the air fryer, you need to take it out from the refrigerator and cool it down at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. This will ensure even heating when we are air frying it.
- Put the Frozen Leftover Fried Chicken into the air fryer: Once the air fryer is preheated, take out the air fryer basket and place the fried chicken pieces into a single layer. Set the time as per the shape of the chicken pieces (different chicken pieces have different cooking and reheating time). Leave the chicken for cooking.
- Check for even reheating: Place the thermometer onto the thickest part of the air fryer and check if it has reached at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is less than that, heat it for a few more minutes.
- Serve the Fried Chicken: Once it is cooked, leave it at room temperature for a few more minutes. It would ensure that the juices of the chicken would redistribute evenly, and it will become more tender and juicy. After that, serve it with your favorite dips, snacks, and bread.
Chef Special Tips to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer before reheating fried chicken is necessary. It will ensure that the chicken would start cooking immediately after adding it to the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket: Make sure to not overcrowd the basket and place the chicken pieces into a single layer. It will ensure that the air would circulate to all sides of the chicken and would cook evenly.
- Cook different pieces at different temperatures: All the chicken pieces are of different sizes and thicknesses. Therefore, all of them require different reheating temperatures. Set the time accordingly. Moreover, try to put different chicken pieces separately so that all of them could cook evenly.
Different reheating times for different chicken pieces
Chicken Pieces |
Reheating timing |
| Fried Chicken Breasts (boneless) | 8 to 10 minutes |
| Fried Chicken Tenders (boneless) | 4 to 5 minutes |
| Fried Chicken Wings | 5 to 6 minutes |
| Fried Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs | 6 to 8 minutes |
How to make a new dish by reheating fried chicken in an air fryer?
You can make a new dish out of fried chicken by following the below-mentioned procedure:
- Remove any breading or the topping present on the fried chicken.
- Mix up your favorite spices, seasonings and make a mixture.
- Coat the chicken with that mixture.
- Place the chicken in the preheated air fryer and cook it.
- Once it is done, serve it with your favorite sauces.
Our top 3 Sauces to enjoy with reheated chicken
The top 3 sauces to enjoy with the reheated fried chicken in the air fryer reinclude:
- Barbeque Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
FAQs
Will air-frying leftover fried chicken make it crispy again?
Yes, air frying the leftover fried chicken would make it crispy because it uses air-circulating material which gives a crispy texture to the fried chicken from the outside and makes it tender and juicy from the inside.
Can you store and reheat Kentucky fried chicken?
Yes, you can store and reheat KFC chicken. To store it, remove any sauce that is present on the chicken and place it in an airtight bag or foil. Refrigerate it as soon as possible. To reheat it, use the above-mentioned procedure to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer.
How long does it take to reheat fried chicken in air fryer?
Different chicken pieces have different times for reheating. Check the above-mentioned table of different reheating times for different chicken pieces to know this more in detail.
Should I spray the chicken pieces with oil while reheating the fried chicken in the air fryer?
No, as the leftover chicken already has oil, avoid spraying more oil on it, otherwise your chicken would become soggy, and the crispiness would get lost.
Can you reheat fried chicken in the air fryer again and again?
It is not recommended to reheat fried chicken again and again. The more we reheat the fried chicken, it not only losses its texture but also losses its taste. Therefore, it is better to reheat the fried chicken only once and finish it.
Conclusion
To revive crispy texture and juicy interior, reheat fried chicken in air fryer. Preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken and avoid overcrowding to ensure even air-circulation. Times may vary for different pieces, so check the timetable. To make a new dish, remove bread or toppings and coat with a mixture of spices and seasonings. Enjoy the crunchy, juicy goodness with favorite sauces.
