If you have some leftover fried chicken to deal with, then air fryer can be the best equipment to reheat it. It’s very quick and convenient to reheat food with air fryer. Read this post and I’ll show you how to reheat fried chicken in air fryer.
Why the Air Fryer is the Best Way to Reheat Fried Chicken
Can you reheat fried chicken in an air fryer? Yes, do away with the microwave and the oven. For a variety of factors, reheating leftover fried chicken is best done in an air fryer. First of all, reheating the chicken in the air fryer only takes a few minutes. Second, the air fryer will make the chicken skin nice and crispy by crisping it. The chicken will remain juicy and moist inside the air fryer, which is the third benefit.
The air fryer uses dry circulating heat to cook food. This means that your chicken will not get soggy when you reheat it. The chicken is surrounded by hot air, which cooks the inside of the bird while crisping up the skin. Because the breading contains oil that will reactivate when heated, fried chicken makes this dish especially delicious!
Whether it’s from KFC, Publix, your local fried chicken restaurant, or you made it yourself, you want to ensure it’s stored properly for the best results.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in Air Fryer
- Let the fried chicken come to room temperature: This is a crucial step because it permits the chicken’s protein to unwind. Meat may become tough and devoid of moisture when it is heated from cold. Let your fried chicken rest outside the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on size.
- Preheat the air fryer: You should set the air fryer to 375°F. By doing this, you can be sure that your chicken will reheat evenly and still become crispy. You may have to reheat the chicken in batches if your air fryer is smaller.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer: Making sure they don’t touch, put the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket. You can arrange chicken on top of the wire rack if your air fryer oven has one in a single layer.
- Reheat for up to 8 minutes: Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken, reheating fried chicken in an air fryer takes a certain amount of time. If your chicken pieces are larger or you want more crispiness, you might need to increase the cooking time for longer.
- Remove and serve: Take the fried chicken out of the air fryer with tongs, serve it right away, and eat it up!
How to Store Leftover Fried Chicken Properly
The best way to store leftover fried chicken is to put it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. The chicken may also be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
When properly stored in the refrigerator, leftover fried chicken will remain edible for 3–4 days. Reheating and eating the chicken afterwards is not advised because it might start to spoil.
Reheating Fried Chicken Chart
- Fried Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) & Chicken Thighs: 5-6 minutes at 375F.
- Fried Chicken Wings: 4-5 minutes at 375F.
- Fried Chicken Breasts: 6-8 minutes at 375F.
- Fried Chicken Tenders or Chicken Strips: 3-4 minutes at 375F.
Want to make fried chicken by yourself? here are some recipes!
Make Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Make Your Chicken Nuggets Crispy and Healthy with Air Fryer
FAQs
Do You Need to Flip Chicken When Reheating in Air Fryer?
Yes, to achieve the best results during reheating, turn the chicken over halfway through cooking.
Can You Air Fry Something Already Fried?
Yes. In fact, the oil coating will help give it a deliciously crispy texture.
How Long Does It Take Kentucky Fried Chicken to Reheat in the Air Fryer?
This depends on the type of chicken you are reheating. Legs and thighs should cook in 5 to 6 minutes, wings in 4 to 5 minutes, breasts in 6 to 8 minutes, and tenders in 3 to 4 minutes.
