We all know that crispy, perfectly-seasoned fried chicken is 100% delicious when served hot and fresh out of the fryer. But what some fried chicken fans dont realize is that this beloved treat makes for excellent leftovers.
According to some experts, like executive chef and founder Jeff Balfour of Southerleigh Hospitality Group in San Antonio, Texas, you dont even need to heat up next-day fried chicken. “There is really no better leftover than cold fried chicken (except maybe cold pizza).”
But, if youre determined to recapture the crunchy coating and juicy interior of just-cooked fried chicken, then follow these reheating tips from Balfour and executive chef Cesar Zapata of Phuc Yea in Miami, Florida.
Quick Tip: Regardless of which reheating method you choose, you need to let the chicken come to room temperature beforehand. “The problem with going straight from the fridge is that by the time the chicken is heated through internally, the already-fried crust will be too dark and obviously not as tasty,” says Balfour. Advertisement
The best way to reheat fried chicken is in an oven.Bring it to room temperature: Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before reheating. … Give it some air: Place chicken on a wire rack and preheat oven to 400°F. … Go high and fast: Bake chicken for 12 to 15 minutes.
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Bring it to room temperature: Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before reheating. …
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Give it some air: Place chicken on a wire rack and preheat oven to 400°F. …
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Go high and fast: Bake chicken for 12 to 15 minutes.
How to reheat fried chicken in the oven
For many home cooks, the oven makes for the easiest and best way to reheat fried chicken; its a straightforward method that doesnt require any special equipment.
To get started, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While youre waiting for it to come to temperature, place a wire rack on a baking sheet and put the leftover chicken on top of the rack. Give the chicken a light spritz with cooking spray (this helps achieve the perfect crispy texture) and put the baking sheet in the oven to cook for 15 minutes, or until the skin feels hot and very crispy, Zapata says.
Then, pull the baking sheet out of the oven and use tongs to flip the chicken and lightly mist the other side with cooking spray. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the other side gets the same crispy texture as the first side.
For best results, Zapata recommends using a convection oven to reheat fried chicken. “Convection is key here because the hot, circulating air equals major crispiness,” he explains.
If you dont have access to a convection oven, a standard oven will do the job, but be sure to avoid covering the chicken with foil or a lid. It will create condensation and make it soggy again. Its also possible to do this process in a toaster oven, which will save some time since you wont need to preheat it.
Important: Balfour recommends bringing the internal temperature of the chicken to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a safe temperature for reheated chicken, according to the U.S. Food Safety & Inspection Service. Advertisement
How to reheat fried chicken on the stove
Reheating fried chicken on the stove will give you appealingly crispy results, but the tradeoff involves extra oil and more cleanup. To do this, heat a small amount (⅛ inch to ¼ inch) of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium high heat until it reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add your room-temperature chicken and let it fry in the oil until it crisps back up, about 2 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the pan, drain it over a wire rack, then serve.
The Secret To Reheating Fried Chicken
FAQ
How do you reheat breaded chicken and keep it crispy?
How do you keep chicken moist when reheating?
What is the best way to reheat breaded food?
How do you reheat a dried out chicken?
One of the best practices for avoiding a dried-out reheat is to add a cooking broth. This is suitable for reheating with an oven. The broth will add moisture to that succulent bite. For other methods, you could also wrap the chicken in a foil, or place a damp paper towel over it. Above all, adhering to the recommended reheat time is key.
Can one refreeze homemade chicken broth?
It is not indicated. After thawing once, the chances of contamination are greater, and therefore the best option is to freeze in small portions, such as ice cubes, and thaw only what is going to be used.
Can You reheat chicken in the oven?
While reheating chicken in the oven takes longer than the microwave and stove-top, it yields the best results and makes the chicken taste like it was baked that day. Here’s what to do: Turn the oven to 350F. Place the chicken pieces into a baking dish, add about 1 cup chicken broth or water to the dish and cover with foil.
How do you reheat leftover chicken?
Heat the leftover chicken for 15-20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). In addition to the oven, you can also reheat chicken using a few other easy methods. The stovetop, air fryer, and microwave all have their advantages, too.