Olivia Carter
Fried chicken is a delicious and popular dish that many people love to enjoy. However, reheating fried chicken can often lead to disappointment, as the chicken can become soggy and lose its crispy texture. Thankfully, there is a solution to this problem – reheating fried chicken in the air fryer! With the help of this handy kitchen appliance, you can easily revive your leftover fried chicken and enjoy it as if it was freshly cooked.
One of the main reasons why the air fryer is an excellent choice for reheating fried chicken is its ability to circulate hot air evenly. Unlike a microwave or oven, which can leave the chicken unevenly cooked and moist, the air fryer uses rapid hot air technology to ensure that every piece of chicken is heated through and retains its crispy exterior.
To reheat fried chicken in the air fryer, start by preheating it to around 350°F (175°C). While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover fried chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This will help the chicken warm up slightly and ensure that it cooks evenly.
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the chicken pieces in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, so it’s best to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
When the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before digging in. The air fried chicken should have a beautifully crispy crust and tender, juicy meat inside, just like when it was freshly cooked. Serve it with your favorite sides, such as coleslaw or mashed potatoes, and enjoy a delicious meal that no one will believe is leftovers!
Preparation for Reheating Fried Chicken
Before you start reheating your delicious fried chicken in the air fryer, there are a few important steps you should follow to ensure that it turns out crispy and mouthwatering.
1. Take the chicken out of the fridge
Remove the fried chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the chicken to come to room temperature, ensuring more even reheating.
2. Preheat the air fryer
While the chicken is resting, preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C). Preheating the air fryer will help to create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
3. Prepare the chicken
Now it’s time to prepare your fried chicken for reheating. Remove any excess oil or crumbs from the chicken to prevent any smoke or burning during the reheating process. You can use a paper towel to blot off the excess oil if needed.
4. Arrange the chicken in the air fryer
Place the fried chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. If necessary, you can reheat the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
5. Reheat the chicken
Set the air fryer to the appropriate temperature and timer settings. Generally, reheating the fried chicken for about 3-5 minutes should be sufficient. However, you may need to adjust the time and temperature depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces.
Pro tip: To check if the chicken is fully reheated, you can use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Enjoy your crispy reheated chicken
Once the air fryer has finished reheating the fried chicken, carefully remove it from the basket and let it rest for a couple of minutes. This will help the juices redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender chicken. Serve your mouthwatering reheated fried chicken with your favorite sides and enjoy!
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy perfectly reheated fried chicken in the air fryer that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Gather the Ingredients
Before you start reheating your fried chicken in the air fryer, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients:
- Fried chicken: Ensure you have leftover fried chicken pieces that you want to reheat. It’s best to use bone-in pieces as they tend to retain moisture better.
- Air fryer: You’ll need an air fryer for this method. If you don’t have one, you can consider using an oven or stovetop, but the results may vary.
- Oil or cooking spray: You’ll need a small amount of oil or cooking spray to help crisp up the fried chicken.
- Tongs or a fork: Use tongs or a fork to handle the fried chicken safely and avoid burning yourself.
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper (optional): Using aluminum foil or parchment paper can help prevent the fried chicken from sticking and make cleaning up easier.
- Serving plate: Finally, have a serving plate ready to transfer the reheated fried chicken once it’s done.
Once you have gathered all these ingredients, you’re ready to proceed with reheating your fried chicken in the air fryer!
Preheat the Air Fryer
Before reheating your fried chicken in the air fryer, it is essential to preheat it. This step ensures that the chicken gets evenly reheated and maintains its crispy texture.
Here’s how you can preheat your air fryer:
- Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Allow the air fryer to preheat for about 5 minutes.
Preheating the air fryer helps to recreate the high heat of deep frying, which is crucial for getting that crispy exterior on reheated fried chicken. Skipping this step may result in uneven reheating and a less satisfying eating experience.
Prepare the Chicken
When reheating fried chicken in the air fryer, it’s important to prepare the chicken properly to ensure it comes out crispy and delicious. Follow these steps to prepare the chicken:
1. Remove the Chicken from the Refrigerator
Take the leftover fried chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the chicken to come to room temperature and cook more evenly.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure that it gets hot enough to crisp up the chicken.
3. Line the Air Fryer Basket
While the air fryer is preheating, line the basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket and make cleaning up easier.
4. Coat the Chicken with Oil
Lightly brush or spray the chicken with oil. This will help the chicken become crispy during the reheating process. You can use olive oil, canola oil, or cooking spray.
5. Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer
Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the chicken from getting crispy. You may need to cook the chicken in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
6. Reheat the Chicken
Once the air fryer is preheated and the chicken is arranged in the basket, place the basket in the air fryer. Cook the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until heated through and crispy. If the chicken is not fully heated, you can cook it for an additional minute or two.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to reheat your fried chicken in the air fryer and enjoy it as if it were freshly cooked. Remember to always use caution when handling hot food and be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it can become dry.
Reheating Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer
If you have leftover fried chicken and want to enjoy it again without sacrificing its crispy texture, the air fryer is the perfect appliance to use. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist interior. Follow these simple steps to reheat your fried chicken in the air fryer:
Preparation
Before reheating your fried chicken, make sure to preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C). This will ensure that your chicken heats evenly and maintains its crispy texture.
Reheating Process
1. Start by placing the leftover fried chicken in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. It’s best to reheat the chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
2. Set the air fryer to a temperature of 375°F (190°C) and set the timer for about 3-4 minutes.
3. After the initial heating time, open the air fryer and flip the chicken pieces using tongs. This will help ensure that both sides of the chicken are heated evenly.
4. Close the air fryer and let the chicken continue heating for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, so it’s important to check the internal temperature regularly.
| Chicken Piece | Reheating Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken Wing | 6-8 minutes |
| Chicken Drumstick | 8-10 minutes |
| Chicken Thigh | 10-12 minutes |
| Chicken Breast | 12-14 minutes |
5. Once the chicken is thoroughly reheated, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket using tongs. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Reheating fried chicken in the air fryer is a simple and efficient way to enjoy your leftovers. The air fryer helps retain the crispy texture of the chicken, making it taste almost as good as freshly cooked. So, next time you have leftover fried chicken, give the air fryer a try!
Place the Chicken in the Air Fryer
Once you have your reheating setup ready, it’s time to place the fried chicken in the air fryer. Here are the steps to follow:
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). It’s important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even reheating.
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or coat it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Place the desired amount of fried chicken pieces into the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent proper reheating.
- If the chicken pieces have bones, arrange them bone-side down to ensure even reheating.
- Close the air fryer basket and set the timer. The recommended reheating time for fried chicken in an air fryer is 3 to 4 minutes for small pieces and 5 to 6 minutes for larger pieces.
During the reheating process, it’s a good idea to check on the chicken halfway through and flip the pieces if needed to ensure even cooking and crisping.
Once the chicken is heated through and crispy, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula, and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Reheated fried chicken can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite sauce or side dishes.
Reheat and Serve
Once the fried chicken is heated to your desired temperature, carefully remove it from the air fryer. It will be hot, so use tongs or a spatula to take it out.
Place the reheated chicken onto a serving platter or plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Let it rest for a few minutes to cool slightly before serving.
If you want to serve the reheated fried chicken with dipping sauce, now is the perfect time to make it. Prepare your favourite sauce, such as ranch dressing, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Transfer the chicken to a clean platter and garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, for added flavour and presentation.
Serve the reheated fried chicken with your preferred sides, such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread. It’s a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love!
FAQ
What is the best way to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer?
The best way to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer is to preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and then place the chicken in the basket in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy and heated through.
Can I use the air fryer to reheat chicken that has been refrigerated?
Yes, you can use the air fryer to reheat chicken that has been refrigerated. Just make sure to preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and then place the chicken in the basket. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy and heated through.
Is it safe to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer?
Yes, it is safe to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer. The air fryer uses hot air to cook the chicken, which helps to keep it crispy and heated through without having to use additional oil. Just make sure to preheat the air fryer and cook the chicken until it reaches the desired temperature to ensure it is fully reheated.
