Kentucky Fried Chicken, also known as KFC, is one of the world’s most popular fast food chains, known for its finger-licking good fried chicken. However, like most fried foods, KFC tastes best when served hot and fresh. So what’s the best way to reheat leftover KFC chicken and keep it crispy?
As a KFC fan I’ve experimented with different reheating methods to find the one that preserves that signature KFC crispness. In this article I’ll share the techniques that have worked for me, as well as some tips and tricks to revive leftover KFC chicken.
Why Proper Reheating is Important
Reheating is an essential part of enjoying leftover fried chicken. Improper reheating can lead to a soggy, mushy mess that loses its appetizing crunch.
On the other hand proper reheating not only preserves the chicken’s texture but also eliminates potential food safety hazards. Thorough reheating ensures that any bacteria accumulated during storage are killed making the chicken safe to eat again.
When reheated correctly, KFC chicken can taste nearly as scrumptious as when you first collected it from the store. So let’s look at the best practices for reheating this delicious fried fare.
Reheating KFC Chicken in the Oven
One of the best ways to reheat KFC chicken is in the oven. The dry, ambient heat from the oven helps revive and maintain the crispy exterior of the chicken Here are some tips for oven-reheating success
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). The oven should be fully preheated before placing the chicken inside.
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Use a wire rack placed on a baking sheet. This allows air to circulate evenly around the chicken pieces.
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Avoid overcrowding. Leave some space between each piece on the rack.
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Brush with oil. Lightly coat the chicken with a thin layer of olive oil or vegetable oil to enhance crispiness.
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Heat for 15-20 minutes. Check periodically and remove pieces as they become fully heated.
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Check internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
The oven method requires a little more time than other techniques but gives the best crispy results. It brings leftover KFC chicken remarkably close to fresh from the fryer.
Reheating with an Air Fryer
Air fryers have become popular appliances in recent years due to their ability to make foods crispy without deep frying. An air fryer can be used to reheat KFC chicken with excellent outcomes:
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Preheat air fryer to 370°F (185°C). This high heat helps revive crispiness.
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Let chicken pieces sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before reheating.
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Place chicken in fryer basket in single layer. Don’t overcrowd.
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Reheat for 6-8 minutes, shaking basket halfway. Smaller pieces may take less time.
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Check temperature with instant-read thermometer before removing chicken from the appliance.
The circulating hot air in an air fryer crisps up the outside of the chicken beautifully. The results are comparable to oven reheating but in less time.
Microwave Reheating
While the microwave is the quickest way to reheat KFC chicken, it comes with a trade-off. The microwave’s moisture tends to make the chicken soggy and lose its crunch factor. However, microwaving can be an acceptable option in a pinch.
To minimize sogginess, follow these microwave tips:
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Heat chicken on 50% power rather than full power. The lower power setting helps retain crispness better.
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Place chicken pieces on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel. The paper towel absorbs excess moisture.
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Heat for 1-2 minutes per piece. Check periodically and heat 10-20 seconds more if needed.
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Let chicken sit for 1 minute before eating. This helps firm up the texture.
While microwave reheating won’t match the crispiness of the oven or air fryer, it can yield decent results in a hurry.
Tips for the Stovetop
The stovetop isn’t ideal for simply reheating chicken, but you can briefly pan-fry leftover KFC to recrisp it. Here’s how:
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Use a small amount of oil, like canola or vegetable oil.
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Heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
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Add chicken pieces in a single layer and fry 1-2 minutes per side until crisped up.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook chicken in batches for even crisping.
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Blot chicken with paper towels to absorb excess grease after frying.
The stovetop method essentially refries the chicken for a short time to revive crunchiness. Use caution to avoid burning the exterior before the inside is fully heated.
Handy Reheating Tips
Keep these additional tips in mind for successfully reheating leftover KFC:
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Allow refrigerated chicken to come nearer to room temperature before reheating for more even results.
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Group chicken pieces by size when reheating for more consistent outcome. Larger pieces take longer than smaller pieces.
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Rotate or flip chicken during reheating to ensure even heating on all sides.
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Check internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer for food safety.
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Eat reheated chicken immediately for optimal freshness and crispiness.
Proper storage between servings also helps maintain quality. Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and consume within 3-4 days.
Make the Most of Leftovers
Having leftover KFC chicken on hand provides opportunities for more than just reheating it as-is. You can also reinvent the chicken in creative new dishes. Here are some tasty possibilities:
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Dice or shred chicken to make KFC chicken salad for sandwiches or wraps.
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Chop up chicken and add it to macaroni and cheese or chicken noodle soup.
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Use leftover fried chicken in casseroles or pot pies for added flavor and crunch.
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Make KFC chicken tacos or quesadillas using tortillas, cheese, lettuce, salsa and other favorite taco toppings.
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Toss bite-sized leftover chicken pieces into an egg scramble or omelet.
Don’t limit yourself to the same old leftovers. With a little innovation, you can transform leftover KFC chicken into all kinds of mouthwatering meals.
As a fried food, KFC chicken is best when served fresh and hot. However, with the right reheating methods, you can revive leftover chicken to nearly original condition. Using an oven or air fryer are your best bets for maintaining crispiness when reheating this popular fast food.
With proper storage and reheating, you can safely enjoy leftover KFC chicken that keeps its signature crunch and flavor. So go ahead and make the most of those leftovers! Just follow these tips to “keep it crispy” with your reheated Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The best way to reheat fried chicken is in an oven.
Starting by bringing the chicken to room temperature by letting it sit out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes. This reduces the amount of time the chicken spends in the oven (and thus, reduce the chances that it will dry out).
Next, set a wire rack in a sheet pan and place the chicken on top. This allows air to circulate all around the chicken insuring its crisp on all sides. Preheat oven to 400°F.
Is it safe to reheat fried chicken?
Reheating leftover fried chicken is safe, provided that it was fully cooked the first time and was well wrapped and refrigerated promptly (within a couple hours) after it was originally cooked. In fact, eating leftover fried chicken cold or even room temperature is safe as long as it hasnt spent more than two hours in the “danger zone,” which is the USDAs term for temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, when bacteria grow fastest.
The Secret To Reheating Fried Chicken
FAQ
Is it better to reheat KFC in the oven or microwave?
- Can I reheat KFC chicken in a microwave?
- You can but the result won’t be pleasant.
- Your chicken will end up hard, rubbery, chewy or any combination of the above and the coating will be soggy.
- It’s better to put in the oven, gas mark 4 for 20 minutes.
- Or better still use an air fryer, 190°c for 10 minutes.
How do you reheat fried chicken so it’s crispy?
Let your chicken sit out and come to room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the bed of the fryer basket, spaced out enough so that they aren’t overlapping. Set the heat to 375 degrees and cook for three to four minutes per side, flipping your chicken halfway through.
Can You reheat chicken at KFC?
Reheating KFC is best done in an air fryer. This method retains the chicken’s crispiness and ensures even heating. An oven will work fine, though. Although the staple food at KFC is always going to be chicken, the list of sides and extras they have on the menu is constantly expanding. But, can you reheat these, too? And how?
Can You reheat KFC chicken in an air fryer?
Reheating KFC chicken in an air fryer is a simple and effective process. Follow these steps to enjoy your leftover KFC chicken: 1. Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. 2. Arrange and spray: Arrange the KFC chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
How to reheat fried chicken?
Instead of throwing your leftovers away or wasting any pieces of fried goodness on subpar heating methods, such as the microwave, Tasting Table offers a better way to reheat fried chicken to help it taste freshly made. Out of all the ways to reheat fried chicken, the pan-frying method is your best bet.