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Learn how to reheat KFC chicken so it stays crispy! This air fryer recipe is the best way to reheat fried chicken. Simply put the chicken pieces in an air fryer basket, and try reheating fried chicken for 3-4 minutes at 400F (200C). Also, get tips on how to reheat Kentucky Fried Chicken in an oven, toaster oven, stove, and microwave. You can use these directions to reheat Popeyes chicken too!
Watch How to Make It!
How to Reheat KFC Chicken (Reheat Fried Chicken in Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- KFC Chicken (cold)
- cooking spray (or oil if needed for cooking method, optional)
Instructions
- How to reheat KFC chicken in air fryer: Place the pieces of fried chicken in the air fryer and reheat at 400℉ (200°C) for 3-4 minutes. If you’re reheating larger pieces of fried chicken, microwave them for 15-30 seconds before air frying to get them hot in the middle.
- How to reheat KFC chicken in oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place the cold fried chicken on a baking sheet, and heat for 12-15 minutes.
- How to reheat KFC chicken in toaster oven: Preheat the toaster oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly mist the chicken pieces with cooking spray and toast for about 10 minutes until warm.
- How to reheat KFC chicken on stove: Heat about an inch of oil in a skillet, and fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through heating time.
- How to reheat KFC chicken in microwave: Put the leftover fried chicken on a microwave-safe plate, and reheat for 30-60 seconds on high. Microwave fried chicken will get warm but not crispy.
Equipment
Notes
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
➕ How to Reheat KFC Chicken in Air Fryer
This air fryer KFC chicken is your answer to how to keep KFC chicken warm and crispy. Simply place the pieces of fried chicken in the air fryer and reheat at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C) for 3-4 minutes. If you’re reheating larger pieces of fried chicken, microwave them for 15-30 seconds before air frying to get them hot in the middle.
You can eat leftover KFC chicken cold, but air frying is your answer to how do you reheat fried chicken so it doesn’t get soggy. If you want to be extra safe, you can use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F (USDA). However, I find that heating leftover fried chicken to this temp makes it too dry.
🔥 How to Reheat KFC Chicken (Oven)
Now that we’ve covered how to reheat KFC chicken without oven, let’s cover oven KFC reheating instructions. Simply preheat the oven to 400F (200C), place the cold fried chicken on a baking sheet, and heat for 12-15 minutes.
You might notice how long to reheat KFC chicken in oven is much longer than the air fryer. This is why I prefer to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer.
🍗 How to Reheat KFC Chicken in Toaster Oven
Next up is how to reheat fried chicken in a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 400F (200C). Lightly mist the chicken pieces with cooking spray and toast for about 10 minutes until warm.
🐔 How to Reheat KFC Chicken on Stove
Can you reheat KFC chicken in a frying pan on the stovetop? Yes! Heat about an inch of oil in a skillet, and fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through heating time.
Though this method solves the issue of how to make KFC chicken crispy again, it uses a lot of oil and can make a mess. I prefer the directions on how to reheat KFC chicken in air fryer for this reason.
👨🍳 How to Reheat KFC Chicken in Microwave
Can I reheat KFC chicken in microwave? You can warm chilled fried chicken in the microwave, but it won’t get crispy. Simply put the leftover fried chicken on a microwave-safe plate, and reheat for 30-60 seconds on high.
Are KFC containers microwave safe?
Some KFC containers in some countries are microwave-safe, while others are not. In the US, KFC has a reusable sides container with a red lid that is safe for the microwave (source). Unfortunately, they’ve had issues in the past with the chicken packaging catching fire in the microwave (source), so be safe and put the chicken in a different container.
It is safe to reheat KFC chicken only if you use the right cookware for the appliance you’re reheating it in.
🌡️ How long will KFC last in the fridge?
How do you store KFC for the next day? You can keep leftover KFC chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. For the best texture, I don’t recommend freezing fried chicken.
Chicken is a perishable food, so for food safety, don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. Room temp is within the “danger zone” for perishable foods, i.e., a temp where bad bacteria can grow easily.
FAQs
How to reheat KFC chicken pot pie?
To reheat KFC pot pie, preheat the oven to 350F (177C), place the pot pie in an oven-safe dish, and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the filling is hot and the crust is crispy. After that, remove the foil and allow the pot pie to cool for a few minutes before serving.
How to reheat KFC chicken strips?
How to reheat KFC chicken tenders? Preheat the oven to 375F (190C), place the chicken strips on a baking sheet, and bake them for 8-10 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy. Alternatively, reheat in an air fryer at 375F (190C) for 5-6 minutes.
How to reheat KFC chicken sandwich in air fryer?
To reheat a KFC Zinger burger, follow my directions for how to reheat McDonald’s burger. (In other words, remove toppings and bun, reheat chicken according to the burger directions.)
How to reheat KFC chicken wings?
To reheat KFC wings, preheat the oven to 350F (177C). Place the wings on a baking sheet, and reheat the wings for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy again.
How to reheat KFC gravy?
To reheat gravy from KFC, transfer the gravy to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a paper towel. Heat the gravy on high power for 30 seconds, then remove it from the microwave and stir. Repeat the process until the gravy is hot and bubbly. (Hope your mashed potatoes are ready!)
👩🏻🍳 Reheat Fast Food
Learn to reheat fastfood favorites with our how to reheat series:
- How to Reheat McDonalds Fries
- Reheat Pizza in Air Fryer
- How to Reheat McDonalds Burger
- How to Reheat McDonalds Chicken Nuggets
✓ How to Heat Up KFC Chicken
Did this info on how do you reheat chicken without drying it out help you out? Why not save it to use it again? KFC fried chicken tends to be a bit greasy; some of these reheat methods will help make it super crisp!
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂