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The greatest comfort meal is fried chicken. After a dinner, chances are you have a few pieces left over. Just place it in the refrigerator.

Unfortunately, if you reheat it wrong the following day, you risk losing all of that wonderful taste.

You can heat it in a pan, but there is a method to it. It may help to guarantee that the reheated chicken retains its crispiness and juiciness.

In A Pan, Reheat Fried Chicken

Re-frying fried chicken in a pan is the finest method to reheat it. Just follow these steps:

  1. The first thing you need to do is take the chicken out of the refrigerator. Let it thaw for half an hour. Cold chicken can compromise the frying process. It will reduce the temperature of the oil, which will prevent that crispy skin from forming.
  2. When the chicken reaches room temperature, set the pan on the stove on high heat. Use a heavy pan such as a skillet or a Dutch oven. Thick pans can retain heat well.
  3. Add just enough oil to the pan to submerge the chicken. Make sure you choose one that has a low smoke point. Excess smoke can make the chicken bitter in taste. Oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil, is a better alternative. Use a deep fryer for the best results.
  4. When the oil is hot enough, drop the chicken in it carefully. Use a pair of tongs or you may burn yourself. Let the chicken fry for two to three minutes and turn it at intervals. You can adjust the temperature if you want, but be careful. Frying the chicken for too long can dry out the meat.
  5. Once the skin is crispy and dry, take out the pieces one at a time and set them on a wire rack to drain. The chicken will absorb all of the oil otherwise, and make the chicken soggy and oily.
  6. Dispose of the oil and enjoy your fried chicken.

Alternative Ways to Heat Fried Chicken

Don’t have a thick or deep enough frying pan to re-fry chicken?

Not a problem! Instead, try these reheating methods:

Make use of a microwave.

While you may lose the crispy skin, using a microwave will guarantee that the chicken is boiling hot.

Just follow these steps:

  1. Take out the fried chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. Leave it out for 10 to 15 minutes. It will prevent the chicken from losing moisture and keep the meat tender as it heats up.
  2. Place the pieces on a glass plate and cover it with a towel. The towel will soak up moisture and prevent the chicken from getting soggy.
  3. Set the microwave to 30 or 35 seconds or till the chicken is piping hot.

Although this is the quickest way to reheat the chicken, don’t expect it to be crispy at the end. If you don’t have a pan, use the microwave.

Make use of a Convection Oven.

A convection oven, as opposed to a normal oven, contains a fan and an exhaust system that circulates hot air.

The following are the steps to reheating fried chicken in one:

  1. Allow the fried chicken to come to room temperature after taking it out of the refrigerator.
  2. Heat the convection oven to 350F.
  3. Line a baking tray with foil.
  4. When the oven reaches the desired temperature, place the chicken pieces on the baking tray, and pop it in.
  5. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how big the pieces are.
  6. When time’s up, take out the tray and leave it outside for 5 minutes.
  7. Dig in!

This way of reheating will keep the chicken crispy and fresh.

But, you should keep a tight check on it to ensure that the chicken is well cooked.

Also read: Can Calphalon Pans Go in Oven?

Make use of an air fryer.

If you wish to restrict your oil consumption, an air fryer is a fantastic option.

It is also useful for reheating the fried chicken. Just follow these steps:

  1. Pop the (room temperature) fried chicken in the air fryer and close it.
  2. Heat for 10 minutes and do not open the air fryer in the interim. You will lose precious hot air.
  3. Open the air fryer once time’s up and take out the piping hot chicken.
  4. If the chicken is not hot enough, pop it back in again and leave it for 5 minutes.

While reheating fried chicken in an air fryer may seem easy, mastering this method takes patience.

Things You Shouldn’t Do While Reheating Fried Chicken

While reheating fried chicken, you should avoid the following:

If at all possible, avoid using a microwave.

Although you can reheat the fried chicken in the microwave, you shouldn’t if you have alternative choices.

For one thing, while it warms the wet bits, it does not dry them out. Even though they will be warm, the chicken will have a wet texture rather than a crispy one in the end.

It won’t have the crisp skin that drew you in to fried chicken in the first place.

Keep a close eye on the toaster oven.

In a pinch, the toaster oven will suffice. Yet, it may cause the chicken to warm unevenly from the inside.

You are likely to get chicken that is warm on the exterior but frigid on the inside. Most toaster ovens are also not designed to keep the crisp skin.

The heat produced is insufficient to guarantee this.

Don’t Broil Fried Chicken

You’ll have your job cut out for you if you simply use a modest amount of oil to reheat the fried chicken.

For starters, you’ll need to rotate the pieces at regular intervals. Otherwise, the chicken will not be uniformly cooked.

Also, even if you properly sear the chicken, the flesh will most likely be dry. Fat will also drip into the pan.

Do Not Put The Chicken On A Paper Towel

Although paper towels may rapidly absorb oil, reheated fried chicken is not a smart idea.

The moisture emitted by the boiling hot chicken will rehydrate and wet the skin.

All of your efforts to keep that crispy skin will be in vain! Furthermore, don’t let the chicken to cool on a paper towel. It will also destroy the sharp texture.

Cook the chicken without using any oil.

Never attempt to reheat fried chicken in a pan without any oil.

It will merely dry out the meat and may damage the pan as well.

Additionally, do you want to spend time afterward cleaning that crust off the pan? You may have to replace it later.

How to Keep Fried Chicken Fresh

The quality of reheated fried chicken is only as excellent as the technique used to preserve it the first time. It will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The meat may get dry after that.

Just place it in the refrigerator 2 hours after cooking or purchasing it since germs may begin to form on the chicken at temperatures between 40F and 140F.

Furthermore, keep the fried chicken in an airtight container or covered in foil. You may also freeze it if you don’t intend on eating it for a few days.

Just make sure the temperature does not get over 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you defrost the fried chicken but wish to keep it, put it back in the refrigerator.

But, try to consume it within 3 to 4 days. If you microwave the chicken, eat it right away.

Also, never consume chicken that smells or looks weird. Otherwise, you might suffer serious food poisoning.

Some people believe that eating leftover fried chicken at room temperature or fresh from the refrigerator is the finest way to consume it.

Cold chicken is delicious in salads and sandwiches. Therefore, the next time you go on a picnic, see if you have any leftover fried chicken. You will save a significant amount of time and work.

Fried chicken is a popular comfort dish in many homes. Many families have a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Nonetheless, when it comes to reheating, most people follow the ideas and procedures described above. Check them out for yourself right now!

You may also be interested in:

  • Should You Use Different Pans When Cooking Veggies and Chicken on the Stove?
  • Can You Cook Steak In A Non-Stick Pan?
  • Is It Better To Grill Or Pan Fry Steak?

FAQs

What’s the best way to reheat chicken in a frying pan?

In a medium or large pan, heat a little water or chicken stock, then add the chicken breasts and cook over medium to medium-high heat. Cover with a cover and cook until warmed through, approximately 10 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the breast registers 165 F.

How do you reheat fried chicken in a pan without oil?

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator while you wait. Put a wire rack on a baking sheet and arrange the chicken in a single layer on the rack. Bake the fried chicken for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the skin crisps up again, after the oven is warmed.

Can you reheat chicken in a skillet?

With a pan on the stove, you can surely reheat beef, poultry, or virtually anything. To prevent overcooking, keep the heat low. Add a little oil or butter to the pan before adding the meat. Cover the pan as the meat reheats to add moisture.

How do you reheat chicken without drying it out?

Pour a teaspoon or two of olive oil and water over the chicken. This will aid in keeping the meat moist. (For added taste, use water and salsa or chicken broth.)

How do you reheat fried chicken so it tastes amazing?

Bring it to room temperature by doing the following: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before reheating.
Let it to breathe: Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the chicken on a wire rack.
Go quickly and high: Bake the chicken for 12–15 minutes.
Apr 19, 2022

How to make fried chicken crispy after frying?

How do you keep fried dishes crispy? Just lay them on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. If you’re frying numerous batches, place the whole arrangement in a low oven to keep things warm as you continue to cook and add to the rack.

How do you make dry fried chicken moist again?

Warm it with stock after shredding it.

Chicken stock or broth is the ideal liquid for reintroducing taste and moisture to dry chicken. Warm the broth over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Put the shredded chicken in the skillet and cover it with just enough liquid to coat it.

How do you pan fry chicken without drying it?

Warm up some olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. If the pan is overcrowded, the chicken will steam instead. Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Is it better to reheat fried chicken in the oven or microwave?

Ovens are the most efficient method to reheat fried chicken. Not only does baking cook the chicken evenly without quickly drying it out, but it also makes the breading golden brown and crispy.