How To Reheat Chicken In An Air Fryer
Reheating chicken is a big no for many chicken lovers. But what else can one do when you have plenty of last night’s dish left? The best solution is an air fryer.
Air frying your leftover chicken is healthier than refrying it in oil. It is convenient and easy as well. Air frying also preserves the texture, and you’re left with more or less the same succulent and juicy meat.
But one wrong move will set everything off balance. You want to set the temperature in the proper settings. Too much, and it can dry out your chicken! After all, you want to relive that same delicious meal you had last night.
So, let us look at a few tips on how to reheat chicken in an air fryer. Keep reading below.
Reheating Chicken In An Air Fryer
We all enjoy chicken cooked differently, such as grilled, deep-fried, roasted, etc. And the good thing is that you can reheat and enjoy them all using an air fryer.
Reheat your leftover chicken dishes in an air fryer following the steps below.
- Reheating chicken breasts
Chicken breasts are tender meat. So it is very easy to dry them out. Preheating your air fryer is a helpful tip so that the meat heats at the right temperature.
A neat way to retain moisture in the meat is by applying a coat of oil before reheating them. A sauce or light vinegar also works fine.
Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Toss the pieces in the basket and let them rest for 8 minutes. Make sure to flip them at the four-minute mark. You want to check your chicken at this moment to prevent drying them out.
- Reheating chicken thighs
Chicken thighs usually require about 350-375 degrees to reheat perfectly. We like to cook them for 7-8 minutes. But it also depends on the size of the meat.
Another factor to keep in mind is whether they are breaded or not. If they are, you want to coat them in a bit of butter or oil to crisp them up. Toss them in your air fryer basket and cook them.
Remember to flip them halfway through the process. Take them out and enjoy them once you’re satisfied.
- Reheating chicken wings
The best temperature setting for wings is 300-350 degrees. If you want that crispy texture, you want to add a drizzle of olive oil before heating.
Let them reheat for about 3 minutes and flip them to ensure even cooking. After another 3 minutes, you can check if they are done.
- Reheating grilled/roasted chicken
If you didn’t finish that whole roasted chicken last night, worry not. But chances are there is not much left of the whole chicken anyway. So, you want to cut them into different parts before reheating them.
Cook each part, i.e., the legs, wings, breasts, etc., in different batches. If you heat them together, you might overcook some, while other parts will not get enough heating time.
About 350-375 degrees is the perfect temperature. You can refer above on how long you should cook different cuts.
- Reheating chicken fillets
Reheating chicken fillets do not require much time as they are thin strips of meat. For fillets, fingers, or tenders, about 400 degrees works well. 4-5 minutes is ideal for getting them warm and toasty again.
And you don’t have to flip the individual pieces halfway through. Give the basket a light shake to ensure all pieces cook evenly.
Additional Tips While Using An Air Fryer To Reheat Chicken
- Never toss your chicken directly from the fridge into an air fryer. You want it to rest at room temperature for at least half an hour before doing anything. This applies to all forms of cooked chicken.
- Air fryers use hot air to heat your dishes. Ensure that your chicken pieces have enough room so that the hot air can warm them thoroughly.
- Heat different meat parts in different batches. Some parts have thick layers of meat, while some have thinner. If you heat them all together, it will result in uneven cooking or reheating.
- Preheating your air fryer ensures that every nook and corner of the meat cooks evenly.
- Spraying a little oil or water is an excellent tip to prevent the chicken from drying out completely.
- Remember to eyeball your chicken every time. If you feel they are ready, take them out and see if they’re ready to be served. The total cooking or heating time is up to you to decide.
Is An Air Fryer The Best Option To Reheat Your Chicken?
There are several ways of reheating your chicken. You can use an oven, microwave, or steamer. But we have found that air frying is the most convenient and easiest way.
While we can’t say it is the absolute best method, an air fryer takes less time and effort. Plus, they don’t add extra flavors to your chicken. All it takes is a little hot air, and voila! Your chicken is ready in under 10 minutes or less.
Plus, an air fryer is the best way to preserve the texture. Your chicken stays moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. They also do not use oil which prevents your chicken from becoming oily.