Fried chicken and fries in an air fry basket

HOW TO REHEAT FRIED CHICKEN & KEEP IT CRISPY

On the off chance you have leftover fried chicken, you’ll want to know how to recreate that crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside taste when you warm it back up. Keep reading for the best ways to reheat fried chicken, along with tips to help keep it crispy without drying it out.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REHEAT FRIED CHICKEN?

To reheat fried chicken in the oven, it usually takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size and cut of the chicken. It’s also important to bring the pieces to room temperature 30 minutes before starting, so they will heat up evenly in the oven.

Hand pulling fried chicken and fries out of oven Hand pulling fried chicken and fries out of oven

HOW TO REHEAT FRIED CHICKEN?

INGREDIENTS
  • Leftover fried chicken
TOOLS
PREP TIME

  • 35 minutes

BAKE TIME

  • 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME

  • 50 minutes

Hand opening refrigerator door

Step 1: Bring chicken to room temperature

Take your fried chicken out of the refrigerator. For even heating, allow at least 30 minutes for the chicken to come to room temperature.

Hand pressing preheat on the oven console

Step 2: Preheat the oven

While your chicken is reaching room temperature, preheat your oven to 400°F.

Fried chicken pieces in an air fry basket

Step 3: Prep your baking sheet

Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and place a single layer of fried chicken on the rack. This allows air to fully circulate around each piece. Staggering the pieces so they don’t touch also helps with air circulation and even reheating.

Pans of food cooking on racks of a Maytag® oven

Step 4: Cook

Place your baking sheet, uncovered, into the oven and cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken skin looks crisp. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of each piece of chicken, but generally, smaller pieces will take less time to reheat vs. larger pieces.

Maytag® microwave and range in the kitchen

What are other ways to reheat fried chicken?

There are a few other methods you can use to reheat fried chicken: a microwave, a range with air fry and a stovetop or cooktop.

Built-in Maytag® microwave in cabinets

Microwave

A microwave is a convenient way to reheat fried chicken. For the best results, put a paper towel on a plate and then put the pieces of chicken on top. The paper towel will help absorb excess moisture and help preserve the crispness of the skin. Heat in 30-second intervals, flipping the pieces each time until they’re warmed through. If you have a convection microwave, you don’t need to flip the pieces since the microwave circulates hot air for you. When using this method, use short intervals, so you can check the chicken and the paper towel frequently. Do not use recycled paper towels or towels with printing.

Maytag® range in the kitchen

Range with Air Fry

An oven with air fry is perhaps the best way to help recreate the crispness of fried chicken. To use this method, preheat the oven to 375°F and place a single layer of room-temperature fried chicken in the basket. Cook for about four minutes. The circulating hot air helps remove excess moisture from the outside and restore its crispy texture. Learn more about how to use an oven with air fry or find a selection of Maytag brand ranges with Air Fry Settings.

Maytag® cooktop in the kitchen

Stovetop or cooktop

The best way to reheat fried chicken on a stovetop or cooktop is to briefly fry it again. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron pan until it reaches 300°F. Cook a few pieces of chicken at a time until they are crispy, or about two to three minutes on each side. Make sure to cool the chicken for five minutes on a wire rack before eating.

Person putting fried chicken and fries into the oven Person putting fried chicken and fries into the oven

Tips for keeping reheated fried chicken crispy

Follow these tips for reheating fried chicken so it’s crispy, juicy and delicious.

  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, to ensure it cooks evenly.

  • If using an oven, use the upper-middle rack with close placement to upper heating elements for extra crunch. 

  • If the breading has become soft in the fridge, add a little more oil before reheating to help crisp it back up.

  • Use the air fry setting if you have one. This method helps crisp and brown your favorite fried foods with little to no oil.

  • Check to see if your microwave has a Dual Crisp setting, which combines a broiler-like crisp element with the cooking power of a microwave.

Shop Maytag® Ovens and Ranges

Maytag® wall ovens and ranges are built with hard-working features that deliver serious cooking power. Discover the full lineup of wall ovens or ranges to find the one that fits your kitchen’s needs.

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