We’ve all been there – you have some delicious breaded chicken leftovers from last night’s dinner, but you know that simply microwaving them will lead to a dried out, rubbery mess. Reheating breaded foods while maintaining that coveted crunch and moisture is tricky, but certainly not impossible with the right techniques. In this article, I’ll walk you through several methods to reheat your breaded chicken perfectly every time.
Oven Baking
One of the best and easiest ways to reheat breaded chicken without drying it out is in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 400°F and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet. The rack elevates the chicken from the pan so hot air can circulate all around the pieces to heat and crisp up the crust. Bake for 10-15 minutes until hot and crisp. Avoid the temptation to cover the chicken with foil during baking – this will just make it soggy. The key is exposing the crust to the dry oven air.
Air Fryer
An air fryer is a great gadget for reheating crispy foods like breaded chicken. Preheating your air fryer to 375°F, arrange the chicken in a single layer in the fryer basket. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, flipping halfway through, until heated through and crispy. Just like in the oven, resist piling the chicken pieces on top of each other – they need breathing room to get perfectly crispy. Air frying locks in moisture while crisping up the outside.
Stovetop
If you don’t have an oven or air fryer available you can also reheat breaded chicken right on the stovetop. This works best for smaller pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add just enough oil to coat the bottom. Carefully add the chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through. The oil helps conduct heat to the chicken evenly while also lending a bit of crispness to the crust.
Toaster Oven
A toaster oven is great for reheating small portions of breaded chicken. Simply preheat your toaster oven to 400°F and place the chicken on a rack over a baking sheet. Heat for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. The smaller oven size means the heat can better surround and crisp up the crust.
Deep Frying
The best way to achieve maximum crunch and juiciness is by deep frying the chicken again. Heat your oil to 350°F and fry the chicken pieces for 1-2 minutes until heated through and crispy. This obviously requires pulling out the deep fryer again, but is worth it if you need that fresh-from-the-fryer texture.
Microwave (With Caution)
I only recommend microwaving as a last resort. On very low power, microwave the chicken pieces for no longer than 30 seconds at a time, allowing to rest in between. This limits how much the chicken dries out, but the crust will still soften. Microwaving should only be used if you’re in a pinch with no other options available.
Handy Tips
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Allow refrigerated chicken to come to room temp before reheating for more even heating
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Reheat any sauces or gravies separately to avoid sogginess
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Use parchment paper or a cooling rack to avoid direct contact with baking sheets
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Eat within 3-4 days for best texture and flavor
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in a Skillet
You can reheat chicken the same way you cooked it the first time: by frying it! This will give you a nice crisp exterior, though it might be a little greasier than the original version.
- Fill a large skillet with neutral frying oil and heat on medium-high until it reaches 300 degrees. Let the chicken sit out while this is happening to let it come to room temperature.
- Gently place the chicken in the pan and let it cook for two to three minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook the other side for an additional two to three minutes.
- Remove the chicken and let it drain on a wire rack over some paper towel to remove the excess oil for about five minutes.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Oven
Much like baked chicken, a relatively hot oven will keep skin crisp while it heat the meat throughout. If you dont have a wire rack, you can also cover a sheet pan in aluminum foil and rotate the pieces halfway through.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and let the chicken sit out for 10 to 30 minutes for it to come closer to room temperature.
- Put a wire rack on top of sheet pan and then place the chicken on top. This will help the heat circulate around the chicken, ensuring that all sides stay crispy and it heats evenly
- Bake the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes or until it is thoroughly heated through.
How to Reheat Chicken Without Drying It Out
FAQ
How to make leftover breaded chicken crispy?
For the best results, the best reheating technique I’ve found has been reheating in a preheated oven. Using a microwave, while quicker, tends to turn our leftover crispy chicken soggy. Who wants that? For a crispier product, baking them is the best option.
What is the best way to reheat breaded food?
An toaster oven/air fryer/convection oven will be your next best option, put everything on a rack with space between the pieces and toast until crispy again.
How to moisten dry breaded chicken?
Rescue Dry Chicken With Plenty Of Sauce – The problem you face with overcooked chicken is its dryness, so a solution can often be found by pairing it with more liquid-based or fatty ingredients. These contain the moisture the meat is missing, so a quality sauce or gravy will cover a lot of your woes.Dec 10, 2024