How to Reheat Leftover Fried Chicken
When it comes to outdoor picnics and church potlucks (a.k.a. dinner-on-the-grounds) cold fried chicken is the center of the food universe, surrounded by potato salads, dozens of deviled eggs, and a plethora of fruit cobblers. Unless you live next door to the church and can deliver a platter of sizzling fried chicken to the food table, there is simply no other way to serve it than cold. Leftover fried chicken is also good cut up and mixed with greens for a quick and easy main dish salad. Cold chicken, just like cold pizza, can really hit the spot. Sometimes, though, you just want another bite of hot, crispy, and juicy fried chicken. Have you ever tried to reheat cold fried chicken? Here is a tested method that will make leftover fried chicken taste like it just came out of the deep fryer.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in a Conventional Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, take your fried chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Taking the chill off helps the chicken reheat evenly all the way through and prevents it from losing too much moisture.
Next, fit a wire rack inside a baking sheet and arrange the chicken on the rack. This will allow hot air to circulate on all sides of the chicken, even underneath. If you don’t have a wire rack, just use a foil-lined baking sheet.
WATCH: We're Serving Up Mama's Fried Chicken
Place the tray in the center of your preheated oven and allow it to cook for approximately 15-20 minutes. The ideal cook time will vary depending on the type and size of your chicken cuts. To prevent your chicken from drying out, check it after 10 minutes for legs and thighs, and after 15 minutes for breasts. When the chicken has reached your desired level of crispness, remove it from the oven.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Microwave
Reheating in the microwave can be tricky since they reheat unevenly and can often leave fried foods soggy. At best, the texture will not be the same. If you want to give it a try, take your chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit so it approaches room temperature. Place a paper towel over the plate to help the chicken avoid getting too soggy; the towel will absorb some of the moisture. Microwave the fried chicken in 30-second intervals until warm, flipping it intermittently. Be careful not to over-do it or the chicken will dry out.
