The Best Ways to Reheat Fried Chicken and Keep It Crispy Every Time

Reheating fried chicken might seem straightforward, but it’s actually trickier than it sounds. The goal is to warm it through evenly, preserve the juicy, flavorful meat, and bring back that crispy coating we love.

Though fried chicken is best enjoyed fresh, it’s possible to store and reheat it so that it almost tastes just as good as when it was first made—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. You can even get creative by using leftover fried chicken in dishes like a crispy chicken-and-cheddar sandwich or a crispy chicken and blue cheese salad. Keep reading for the best methods to reheat fried chicken in the oven, skillet, air fryer, or microwave.

The Best Way to Enjoy Leftover Fried Chicken

In short, no, you don’t need to reheat fried chicken—at least not for safety reasons. It’s totally fine to eat fried chicken cold, straight from the fridge, as long as you follow a few basic safety guidelines:

The chicken was never left out at room temperature (between 40°F and 140°F) for more than 2 hours, both before and after cooking.
The chicken was cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
The chicken was cooled completely before going into the fridge.
Leftovers have been stored in the fridge for no more than 3 days.

While cold fried chicken is safe to eat, keep in mind that the crispy coating will soften over time. But don’t worry—reheating can bring back most (if not all) of that crunch!

Why Does Fried Chicken Lose Its Crispiness?

Fried chicken is known for its juicy, flavorful meat wrapped in a crispy coating. However, after cooking, the crispy outer layer absorbs some of the moisture from the chicken, causing it to become soggy and greasy as time goes on.

The Best Way to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Oven

Reheating leftover fried chicken in the oven is a simple and reliable method. For the crispiest results, place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to allow air and heat to circulate around it.

Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Arrange the chicken on the wire rack, ensuring there's enough space between pieces.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until it’s heated through and crispy.
If the coating isn’t as crispy as you’d like, broil the chicken for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid burning.

How to Bring Back the Crispiness of Fried Chicken in a Skillet

Yes, you can definitely reheat fried chicken by frying it again! Pan-frying the leftovers for a few minutes on each side can restore its crispy coating. If you're worried about the chicken drying out, cover the skillet for part of the process to lock in some moisture.

Heat a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop.
Add a thin layer of cooking oil with a high smoke point, like canola or sunflower oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the chicken, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Cook the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until it’s heated through and the crust is crispy again.

Reheat Fried Chicken to Crispy Perfection in the Air Fryer

The air fryer is a quick and efficient way to bring leftover fried chicken back to life in under 10 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Place the leftover fried chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring it’s not overcrowded.
Reheat for about 4 minutes, flip the chicken, then cook for another 4 minutes or so until it’s hot and crispy.

How to Microwave Fried Chicken and Keep It Tasty

Microwaving fried chicken is a quick option when you're in a rush, but it doesn’t give you the crispiest skin. For better results, let the chicken come to room temperature before microwaving, which helps it heat more evenly. If you still want that crispy coating, you can finish it off by briefly broiling or air-frying after microwaving.

Place the fried chicken on a microwave-safe plate and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour.
Cover the chicken with a damp paper towel.
Microwave on medium for 1 to 2 minutes.
Check the chicken and continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.

FAQs

Should You Cover Fried Chicken While Reheating?

Yes, it’s a good idea to cover fried chicken during the first half of reheating, but only if you're using the oven or skillet method and you prefer extra-juicy chicken. Covering helps lock in moisture and heat, while leaving the pan uncovered for the second half allows the coating to crisp up again.

For the oven, loosely cover the chicken with aluminum foil.
For the skillet, use a lid during the first part of the reheating process.

Can You Reheat Frozen Fried Chicken?

Yes, there are a few ways to reheat frozen fried chicken:

Thaw it in the microwave and then cook it using any method.
Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then cook it.
Use the oven method without thawing, but add about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time.

What’s the Fastest Way to Reheat Fried Chicken?

The microwave is the quickest option for reheating fried chicken. However, while it’s fast, it doesn’t do much for preserving the crispy coating. If you're looking for better results, air-frying is nearly as fast (not counting the preheating time) and keeps the coating crispier.

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