Whether you’re trying to use up leftovers or meal prepping for the week, reheating chicken can be a challenge. While microwaving or reheating in the oven can often result in soggy or dry chicken, using an air fryer can be a game-changer. In this article, we will guide you through the process of reheating chicken in the air fryer for perfectly crispy results.
Can You Reheat Chicken in the Air Fryer?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely reheat chicken in the air fryer. In fact, using an air fryer is one of the best ways to reheat chicken because it helps to maintain the crispy texture of the chicken while also heating it evenly.
How to Reheat Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Depending on your air fryer model, this can take anywhere from 2-5 minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. This will help to ensure that the chicken heats evenly and doesn’t dry out.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the chicken in the basket. Make sure that the chicken is in a single layer and isn’t overcrowded.
- Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes. After 2 minutes, check on the chicken and flip it over using tongs. This will help to ensure that both sides of the chicken are crispy and evenly reheated.
- Continue cooking the chicken for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until it is heated through and crispy.
- Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Success:
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can prevent the chicken from heating evenly and result in soggy chicken.
- Use tongs to flip the chicken halfway through cooking. This will help to ensure that both sides of the chicken are crispy and evenly reheated.
- If the chicken is already coated in a sauce, you can still reheat it in the air fryer. However, you may want to brush some additional sauce on the chicken halfway through cooking to prevent it from drying out.
- To prevent the chicken from drying out, you can brush it with a little bit of oil before reheating it in the air fryer. This will help to maintain the moisture of the chicken and prevent it from becoming too dry.
- If you’re reheating bone-in chicken, you may need to cook it for an additional minute or two to ensure that it is heated through.
Variations:
While reheating plain chicken in the air fryer is a great option, there are many variations that you can try to switch things up. Here are a few ideas:
- Buffalo Chicken: Coat the chicken in buffalo sauce before reheating it in the air fryer for a spicy and crispy result.
- BBQ Chicken: Brush the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce before reheating it in the air fryer for a sweet and smoky flavor.
- Parmesan Chicken: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the chicken before reheating it in the air fryer for a cheesy and crispy result.
Reheating chicken in the air fryer is a great way to maintain the crispy texture of the chicken while also heating it evenly. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to reheat your leftover chicken to perfection every time.