The Secret to Perfectly Reheated Chicken Keeping it Moist in the Microwave
We’ve all been there – you meal prep a delicious chicken dish like grilled chicken breast or crispy fried chicken, but when it comes time to reheat your leftovers, the chicken ends up dry and tough in the microwave Reheating chicken in the microwave can be tricky, but with the right techniques, you can enjoy juicy, flavorful chicken leftovers again and again
As a home cook and meal prep enthusiast, I’ve learned through trial and error how to reheat chicken in the microwave without turning it into cardboard. After plenty of rubbery reheated chicken, I finally cracked the code and can now revive even large chicken breasts to be just as delicious as when they were first cooked.
In this article, I’ll share my proven tips and tricks for reheating chicken in the microwave perfectly every time. Whether you’re trying to reheat a boneless chicken breast, shredded rotisserie chicken, or breaded chicken tenders, these microwave techniques will keep your chicken irresistibly moist and tender. Let’s get cooking!
Prep Your Chicken
The first step is proper prep before you even put the chicken in the microwave. Make sure your chicken is stored in an airtight container in the fridge – exposure to air can cause it to dry out. Take the chicken out of the fridge about 15 minutes before reheating so it can come closer to room temperature. Cold chicken takes longer to reheat evenly.
While the chicken warms up, prepare your microwave-safe plate or dish. Lightly coat it with oil or butter to prevent the chicken from sticking. This will improve the reheating and help maintain moisture.
Shield Your Chicken
The key to microwaved chicken is trapping in steam so the meat doesn’t dry out. Always cover the chicken while reheating to hold in moisture. You can use a microwave-safe lid, plate, or a damp paper towel placed over the chicken.
For an extra layer of protection, place a small mug filled with water next to the chicken in the microwave. The mug will release steam during reheating.
Reheat in Short Bursts
Never microwave chicken for one long continuous cooking time. This leads to uneven heating and inevitably dry, overcooked sections. Always reheat the chicken in short 30 second bursts, checking in between.
Use your hands or an instant-read thermometer to determine if the thickest part of the chicken has reached 165°F. If not, continue reheating in 30 second increments until fully heated. Taking the extra time leads to tender, juicy meat.
Add Extra Moisture
You can further combat microwave dryness by adding moisture to the chicken before reheating. Try drizzling a bit of olive oil, chicken broth, or even just water over the chicken.
For extra-crispy chicken like fried cutlets or nuggets, mix 1 tablespoon of water into 1/4 cup of flour and lightly dredge the chicken to refresh the coating before reheating. The added moisture in the breading really helps.
Allow Resting Time
This final step is crucial for tender reheated chicken. Once your chicken is fully heated through, remove it from the microwave but keep it covered on the plate for at least 5 minutes before serving.
This resting period allows the juices to redistribute evenly in the meat. Cutting into microwaved chicken immediately can cause the juices to run out and the meat to turn dry. Be patient!
Putting It All Together
Follow these microwaving tips and tricks in order for guaranteed moist, delicious chicken:
- Let the chicken come closer to room temperature before reheating
- Prepare the microwave-safe plate with oil or butter
- Shield the chicken by covering with a lid or damp paper towel
- Include a mug of water for extra steam
- Reheat in 30 second intervals until 165°F
- Consider adding extra moisture like broth or oil
- Let the chicken rest covered for 5+ minutes before serving
With the proper techniques, even large chicken breasts, fried cutlets, and shredded chicken can be revived in the microwave without overcooking. No more dry dinners – just reheated chicken as juicy and tasty as the first time around. Give these methods a try for your meal prep chicken and you’ll never have to eat rubbery leftovers again!
How To Reheat Chicken On The Stove
If your chicken is in smaller, boneless pieces, or has been shredded, the stove is a great way to go:
- Place the chicken in the bottom of a small pot or pan. Again, keeping the vessel small will help prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Add just enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan. If the chicken was cooked in a flavorful liquid, use that liquid instead of water. You could also use chicken broth, if you happen to have it.
- Cover and heat on medium-low until the chicken is warmed through. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the largest piece should read 165 degrees F.
- At that point, you can uncover the pot and remove it from the heat, but I recommend leaving the chicken in the liquid in the pot until you’re ready to serve. Draining and exposing it to a drier environment while it’s still hot will dry it out.
How To Reheat Chicken In The Oven
The oven method is best for bone-in chicken, as well as chicken that’s in larger cuts, is skin-on, or was originally cooked in a casserole. If the chicken was cooked in a casserole and is still in that dish, simply reheat it as part of the casserole: heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake the covered casserole dish until it’s heated through (an instant-read thermometer should read at least 165 degrees).
If you’re dealing with plain chicken, the process will be similar:
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees, and arrange the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish. For best results, choose a dish that’s just big enough to accommodate the chicken in a single layer without a lot of extra space between the pieces. This will help to prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Add enough water or stock to cover just the bottom of the baking dish, then cover the dish tightly with foil. The water will create steam in the sealed dish as the chicken reheats, creating a humid warming chamber that will prevent it from drying out.
- Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake until the chicken is heated through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the largest piece reads 165 degrees.
If the chicken still has its skin on, and you’d like to try to crisp up the skin, I recommend transferring the chicken to the a broiler-safe pan once it’s warmed through and broiling— watching closely!—until it’s browned and crisp on top. It won’t regain its original texture completely, but it will definitely help.
How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken in the Microwave Without Drying It Out | How to Cook by MOMables
FAQ
How to keep chicken moist when reheating in the microwave?
How to prevent chicken from drying out when microwaving?
If you want food to stay even more moist during cooking, add water directly to the microwave-safe dish or bowl your food is in, cover it and heat as you normally would. This will put the food in closer contact with the vapor. This method works best with fattier meats, such as chicken thighs and ground beef.Jun 2, 2025
How to reheat cooked chicken in the microwave?
Why shouldn’t you reheat chicken in the microwave?
Safety Concerns: Cooking chicken in a microwave can result in uneven heating, which may leave certain areas of the chicken at temperatures that are conducive to bacterial growth. This can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, especially if the chicken isn’t cooked to the proper internal temperature.