How to Reheat Fried Chicken in Air Fryer

Unlock the best method for reheating fried chicken with this expert guide on How to Reheat Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer for crispy skin every time.

This is a great way to experience the homemade taste of chicken leftovers the next day.

Use this simple air fryer tutorial to transform reheated leftover chicken and achieve that crispy texture with little effort. 

With this air fryer method to revitalize cold fried chicken, there is no reason to settle for soggy chicken again.

Whether you are reheating chicken thighs, leftover chicken breasts, or a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken, this foolproof method is your best option. 

This post sharing How to Reheat Fried Chicken in Air Fryer contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you. 

What is the Best Way to Reheat Fried Chicken?

The best method for reheating fried chicken with crispy skin is to use an Air Fryer. The reheating process is quick and delivers crispy results every time.

This fantastic kitchen gadget not only streamlines the reheating process but consistently yields crispy, succulent results that will leave your taste buds rejoicing.

This is a great option for those who want to reheat fried chicken in a short amount of time. 

This method works better and is much faster than a conventional oven, deep fryer, convection oven, toaster oven, or traditional oven.

Plus the best part is that the fried chicken tastes just like the first time it was cooked and this method works with any air fryer model.

The effective hot air circulation not only promotes crispy skin but also avoids the issue of chicken becoming soggy when it’s placed on a microwave-safe plate. 

Tips for Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer

These simple steps will guarantee crispy chicken skin and a juicy center.

This reheating technique is versatile and suitable for all kinds of bone-in chicken and chicken tenders, chicken wings, chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or tenderloins.

It even works wonders with rotisserie chicken. If you have a whole chicken, just remember to cut it into smaller portions for best results.

Allow cold chicken to reach room temperature before air frying.

Hot spots in reheated chicken lead to steam that will cause soggy skin.

Reheating cold chicken is the best way to get crunchy goodness.

Depending on the size of your chicken cuts, when reheating large pieces of boneless chicken it is recommended to cut large pieces in half. 

If you notice the chicken browning too rapidly on the outside before it’s thoroughly heated inside, gradually lower the air fryer temperature to prevent dry chicken.

To drain excess oil from chicken such as leftover KFC chicken or Popeyes, let reheated chicken rest on a paper towel or aluminum foil-lined baking sheet with a wire rack before serving. 

Use tongs to flip the chicken and remove it from the air fryer oven. 

Reheating baked chicken legs? Check out this tutorial sharing how to reheat chicken legs in an air fryer.

How to Store Leftover Chicken to Reheat

When storing your leftover chicken recipes for the next time, consider these tips.

Place the chicken in an airtight container, wrap it in parchment paper to keep it from drying out, and then cover it with plastic wrap.

This way, your chicken can stay moist and flavorful for up to 3-4 days.

How to Air Fry Leftover Fried Chicken

Begin by preheating your air fryer, setting it to a temperature of 375°F/190°C.  

To enhance the crispiness apply a light coating of olive oil to the chicken.

I use a cooking spray but you can brush on a little bit of oil onto the sides of the chicken if you prefer. 

To use your favorite oils without having to buy cooking spray, consider picking up one of these oil sprayers.

Arrange each piece of chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If there is not enough space because you are working with bigger pieces, work in batches.

The cook time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces. For larger pieces of chicken, cook for a total of 6-8 minutes, flipping them at about 3-4 minutes in.

For smaller pieces cook 5-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. 

Food Safety: Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a food thermometer. The temp on your meat thermometer should read 165 degrees F. 

If you need more cooking time, put the air fryer chicken back in for 30-second intervals and keep a close eye before calling your reheated fried chicken done. 

Let the chicken cool for 1-2 minutes to achieve juicy perfection. 

Can You Reheat Fried Chicken More Than Once?

Reheating fried chicken more than once is possible, but it’s best to keep the following things in mind when learning how to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer. 

Single Reheat: Ideally, fried chicken should be reheated only once to preserve its flavor and safety. The more reheating and cooling your chicken pieces go through, the more likely the chicken will dry out or become soggy.

Chilled Storage: After its initial serving, promptly store the fried chicken in the refrigerator. Place it in an airtight container and maintain a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or lower for best results.

Reheating Fried Chicken: When the time comes to reheat, ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) for safety. A food thermometer is your sous-chef for this task and it is a good idea to always check chicken for safety purposes.

Limit Encore: While multiple reheats are technically possible, exercise caution when reheating fried chicken. Each additional reheating can lead to diminishing quality, resulting in drier and less appetizing chicken.

Use Your Best Judgment: Use your culinary judgment wisely. If the chicken has been stored properly and looks and smells good, you might consider a second reheat. However, it’s advisable to limit reheating to two rounds to maintain the chicken’s quality.

Remember, food safety is most important when it comes to learning how to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer. If you ever doubt the freshness or safety of your chicken, it’s better to retire it from the stage and dispose of it rather than risk any food-related concerns.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Whether you have a ninja foodi or my favorite PowerXl air fryer, there are a variety of different ways to put it to good use.

Unlock a world of culinary possibilities with your air fryer. Explore these mouthwatering recipes that are sure to elevate your cooking game.

Make these Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs for a delicious way to make BBQ ribs without a grill. 

Learn how to make The Healthiest Lunch Meat in our air fryer with this simple recipe.

Serve up a Fall dessert made in the air fryer with this Mini Pumpkin Mousse recipe. 

Once you learn how to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer, you’ll be able to serve up this Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer Recipe for a delicious side dish. 

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