How to Reheat Fried Chicken So It Stays Crispy and Juicy
There’s nothing worse than reheating leftover fried chicken only to end up with soggy breading and dry meat. The good news is that fried chicken can taste surprisingly close to freshly cooked when you reheat it the right way.
The key is using enough heat to crisp the coating without leaving the chicken in the oven or air fryer long enough to dry out the inside.
Whether you have leftover homemade fried chicken, takeout chicken, wings, tenders, thighs, or drumsticks, here’s how to reheat fried chicken so it stays crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Fried Chicken?
The best way to reheat fried chicken is in an air fryer or oven.
An air fryer is the fastest option and does an excellent job of bringing the crispy coating back to life. An oven takes a little longer, but it works especially well when you're reheating several pieces at once.
The microwave is the quickest method, but it usually produces softer breading.
Best Reheating Methods at a Glance
| Method | Temperature | Approx. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | 375°F | 4–8 minutes | Crispiest results |
| Oven | 375°F | 10–20 minutes | Large batches |
| Toaster Oven | 375°F | 8–15 minutes | A few pieces |
| Microwave | High | 30–90 seconds | Fastest option |
Times vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer
If you have an air fryer, this is one of the easiest ways to reheat leftover fried chicken.
The circulating hot air helps remove moisture from the exterior of the breading, making it crispy again without adding more oil.
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
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Arrange the fried chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
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Leave a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate.
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Air fry for 4–8 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken.
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Flip the chicken halfway through.
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Continue heating until the outside is crispy and the center is hot.
Smaller pieces like wings and tenders may only need 4–5 minutes, while large chicken breasts and thighs can take longer.
For food safety, leftover chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Don't Overcrowd the Basket
This is one of the most important tricks for crispy reheated chicken.
If you pile chicken on top of itself, steam gets trapped between the pieces. Instead of becoming crispy, the coating can turn soft.
Work in batches if necessary.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Oven
No air fryer? The oven is another excellent option.
It's actually my preferred method when reheating enough fried chicken for several people because you can spread everything across a large baking sheet.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F.
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Place the fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
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Arrange the pieces in a single layer without touching.
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Bake for approximately 10–20 minutes.
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Flip the chicken about halfway through if needed.
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Remove once the coating is crispy and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Why Use a Wire Rack?
A wire rack allows hot air to circulate underneath the chicken.
If you put fried chicken directly onto a baking sheet, the bottom can trap moisture and become softer.
Don't have a wire rack? You can still use a baking sheet. Just flip the chicken halfway through reheating.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in a Toaster Oven
A toaster oven is perfect when you only have one or two pieces of chicken.
Preheat the toaster oven to 375°F and arrange the chicken on the tray.
Heat for approximately 8–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and heated throughout.
Because toaster ovens vary considerably in size and power, keep an eye on the chicken toward the end.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Microwave
Can you microwave fried chicken?
Yes—but there's a tradeoff.
A microwave heats chicken quickly, but it doesn't recreate the dry, circulating heat responsible for crispy breading. Moisture escaping from the chicken can soften the coating.
If speed matters more than maximum crispiness, however, the microwave works.
Instructions
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Place the fried chicken on a microwave-safe plate.
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Cover loosely with a paper towel.
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Microwave for about 30 seconds at a time.
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Check the chicken between intervals.
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Continue until heated completely through.
Avoid microwaving it much longer than necessary because the meat can become tough or rubbery.
Microwave + Air Fryer Trick
For particularly large pieces, you can briefly microwave the chicken first and finish it in the air fryer.
Microwave just long enough to begin warming the center, then transfer the chicken to a 375°F air fryer for a few minutes to crisp the breading.
This can help prevent a situation where the coating is piping hot but the center is still cold.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken Without Drying It Out
The biggest mistake when reheating fried chicken is simply cooking it too long.
You're not cooking the chicken again. You're only trying to bring previously cooked chicken back up to temperature.
For better results:
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Reheat at a moderately high temperature instead of using low heat for a long time.
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Check smaller pieces before larger pieces.
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Don't overcrowd the pan or air fryer.
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Remove each piece as soon as it's thoroughly heated.
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Use a meat thermometer when reheating thick pieces.
Should Fried Chicken Come to Room Temperature Before Reheating?
You don't need to leave fried chicken sitting out for a long time before reheating it.
It's safer to keep leftovers refrigerated until you're ready to reheat them.
You can take the chicken from the refrigerator while your oven or air fryer preheats, then begin reheating.
Do You Need Oil to Reheat Fried Chicken?
Usually, no additional oil is necessary.
Fried chicken already contains oil in its coating, and reheating it in an air fryer or oven helps crisp the existing breading.
If the coating looks exceptionally dry, you can use a very light mist of cooking oil before air frying, but don't soak the chicken.
Too much oil can make the breading greasy rather than crispy.
How Long Does Fried Chicken Last in the Refrigerator?
Cooked chicken should generally be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 3–4 days.
Place leftover fried chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly after your meal.
If the chicken has an unusual smell, appearance, or texture, don't eat it.
Can You Freeze Leftover Fried Chicken?
Yes.
Fried chicken can be frozen if you aren't going to eat your leftovers within a few days.
Allow the chicken to cool, wrap the pieces securely, and place them inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
For the best texture, thaw frozen fried chicken in the refrigerator before reheating it in the oven or air fryer.
How to Keep Reheated Fried Chicken Crispy
Once you've made your chicken crispy again, don't immediately seal hot pieces inside an airtight container.
The chicken releases steam as it sits. Trapping that steam against the breading can quickly make it soggy.
If you're waiting to serve the chicken, place it on a wire rack so air can circulate around it.
What Temperature Should Reheated Fried Chicken Be?
Previously cooked chicken should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone.
This is especially helpful with large breasts and thighs because the outside can become hot before the center is fully reheated.
What to Serve With Leftover Fried Chicken
Reheated fried chicken can easily become the centerpiece of another meal. Serve it with:
You can also remove the meat from leftover fried chicken and use it for sandwiches, wraps, salads, chicken and waffles, or loaded fries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to reheat fried chicken and keep it crispy?
Use an air fryer at 375°F for approximately 4–8 minutes or an oven at 375°F for approximately 10–20 minutes. The exact time depends on the size and thickness of the chicken.
Is fried chicken better reheated in the oven or air fryer?
Both work well. The air fryer is usually faster and produces exceptionally crispy breading, while the oven is more convenient when reheating a large batch.
Why does fried chicken get soggy in the microwave?
Microwaves heat the moisture inside food. As that moisture turns to steam, it can soften the crispy fried coating.
Can you reheat fried chicken twice?
For the best quality and easier food-safety management, only reheat the amount of chicken you plan to eat rather than repeatedly cooling and reheating the entire batch.
How do you reheat fried chicken wings?
Air fry leftover fried chicken wings at 375°F for about 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Continue heating if necessary until they reach 165°F internally.
How do you reheat fried chicken tenders?
Reheat chicken tenders in a 375°F air fryer for approximately 3–5 minutes or in a 375°F oven for around 8–12 minutes, depending on their thickness.
The Bottom Line
If you want leftover fried chicken to taste crispy again, skip the microwave whenever possible and use an air fryer or oven.
For the fastest crispy results, preheat an air fryer to 375°F and heat the chicken in a single layer until the breading is crisp and the center reaches 165°F. For larger batches, use a 375°F oven and place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
A few extra minutes using dry heat can make the difference between soggy leftovers and fried chicken that's crispy, juicy, and worth eating the next day.