Revive the crispy glory of leftover fried chicken with your air fryer! By following these simple steps, you can enjoy fried chicken that tastes as good as it did fresh out of the fryer. Reheating fried chicken in an air fryer not only restores its delightful crunch but also keeps it juicy inside. Say goodbye to soggy, reheated fried chicken with this quick and easy method.
What You’ll Need
- Leftover fried chicken
- Air fryer
- Meat thermometer (optional)
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F. This ensures that your fried chicken will start reheating at a consistent temperature for even warming.
- Prepare the Chicken: Before placing your fried chicken in the air fryer, remember that the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Smaller pieces will heat up faster and may require less time, while larger pieces may need a bit longer to become thoroughly warmed without drying out.
Reheating Process
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the fried chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching to allow hot air to circulate freely around each piece, ensuring even reheating.
- Reheat: Cook the fried chicken at 350°F -370°for about 5-6 minutes. If you have varying sizes of chicken pieces, start checking the smaller pieces around the 4-minute mark to prevent them from drying out.
- Check the Temperature: For the best results, use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken has been heated through to your liking. The ideal internal temperature for reheated chicken is 165°F.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once your fried chicken has reached the desired temperature and crispiness, remove it from the air fryer. Allow it to rest for a minute or two; this helps redistribute the juices inside the chicken. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Tips for Success
- Avoid Overcrowding: To ensure each piece of fried chicken reheats evenly, try not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Flip Halfway Through: For even more uniform heating and crispiness, consider flipping the chicken pieces halfway through the reheating process.
- Adjust Time for Larger Pieces: Larger pieces of fried chicken might take a bit longer than 6 minutes. Feel free to add an extra minute or two if needed, but keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Using an air fryer to reheat fried chicken is a terrific way to bring back the satisfying crunch and flavor of the original meal. With these simple steps, you’ll never have to settle for soggy or dry reheated chicken again. Enjoy your deliciously revived fried chicken!
