Can You Reheat Chicken?

The simple answer is yes, you can reheat chicken, but there are important safety guidelines to follow. Reheating chicken is perfectly fine as long as it is done correctly, and the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature to prevent any risk of foodborne illness. According to the FSA (Food Standards Agency), the internal temperature of reheated chicken should reach 75°C (165°F) to ensure it’s safe to eat.

To reheat chicken properly:

Use a food thermometer: This will help you ensure that the chicken has reached the right temperature, reducing the risk of food poisoning.
Even heating: When reheating, make sure the chicken is heated evenly to avoid cold spots, which can harbour bacteria.
Method of reheating: The best ways to reheat chicken include using an oven, microwave, hob, grill or airfryer. The method you choose depends on how you like your chicken—whether you prefer a crispy skin or a moist, tender texture.

How To Reheat Chicken

Reheating chicken properly is important to ensure both safety and quality. We share some of the best ways to reheat chicken effectively

How To Reheat Chicken In the Oven (Best for Crispy Chicken)

Preheat: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken on a baking tray and cover it loosely with foil to prevent it from drying out.
Reheat: Reheat for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces, until it reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
Remove Foil: If you want the skin crispy, remove the foil in the last 5-10 minutes of reheating.

Top Tip: To retain moisture, add a few tablespoons of chicken stock or water to the pan, just enough to create a shallow layer. Then, cover the tray tightly with a double layer of foil. The steam generated will help keep the chicken moist and tender.

How To Reheat Chicken In the Microwave (Quick but Can Dry Out Chicken)

You may wonder ‘can you reheat chicken in the microwave’ well the answer is yes, while quick it can dry chicken out. Follow the steps below if you opt for reheating your chicken in the microwave:

Prepare: Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Retain Moisture: Optional: Sprinkle a few teaspoons of water over the chicken, then drizzle with olive oil. This combination helps keep the chicken moist and enhances its flavour for the next day.
Reheat: Reheat on medium power for 1-2 minutes per piece of chicken.
Check Temperature: Check the internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 75°C (165°F). Stir or rotate pieces to ensure even heating.

Top tip: Microwave times may vary depending on your appliance’s wattage, so it’s best to start with a shorter time to prevent the chicken from drying out.

How To Reheat Chicken In the Airfryer

Do you wonder ‘can you reheat chicken in the airfryer’ well the answer is absolutely. Reheating chicken in an air fryer is a quick and effective way to restore its crispy texture while keeping it moist. Here’s how to do it:

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes.
Prepare the Chicken: If the chicken is a little dry, lightly spritz or brush it with oil to help retain moisture.
Place Chicken in the Air Fryer: Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even reheating.
Reheat: Heat the chicken for 5-8 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the pieces. Check the chicken halfway through and flip it to ensure it heats evenly.
Check Temperature: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). You can use a meat thermometer to be sure.
Serve: Once reheated, the chicken should be crispy on the outside and moist inside, ready to enjoy!

Top Tips:

If you’re reheating multiple pieces, do it in batches to ensure the chicken heats evenly.
For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature slightly or extend the reheating time for a minute or two.

Using an air fryer is one of the best ways to reheat chicken, as it helps maintain both texture and flavour.

How To Reheat Chicken In the Hob (Good for Smaller Pieces)

Add oil: Heat a small amount of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
Add chicken: Add the chicken pieces and cover the pan with a lid.
Heat: Heat for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly heated and reaches 75°C (165°F).

4. Grill or BBQ (Great for Grilled Chicken)

Preheat: Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken on the grill and cover it.
Reheat: Reheat for 5-10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).

How Many Times Can You Reheat Chicken?

The general guideline is that chicken should only be reheated once. Reheating chicken more than once can compromise both its safety and quality. Here’s why:

Bacterial Growth: Each time you reheat and cool chicken, it enters the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F or 4°C to 60°C), which is ideal for bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter to thrive.
Quality: Repeated reheating can cause the chicken to become tough and dry, losing its original flavor and texture.

If you have leftover chicken that you plan to store for later use, consider portioning it into smaller amounts so that you only need to reheat what you’ll be eating. This reduces the need to reheat the chicken multiple times.

Tips for Storing Leftover Chicken

To safely store leftover chicken and maximise its quality when reheated, follow these tips:

Cool the chicken quickly: After cooking, let the chicken cool to room temperature (but no longer than 2 hours), then refrigerate it immediately.
Use airtight containers: Store chicken in sealed containers or wrap it tightly in foil to preserve freshness and prevent contamination.
Eat leftovers within 2-3 days: Try to consume your leftover chicken within 2-3 days to ensure it remains safe to eat and retains its best taste and texture.

Leftover chicken is a common meal saver, but if you’re not careful, reheating it can result in a dry, rubbery mess, or worse, foodborne illness. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your leftover chicken without compromising your health or taste buds!

Shop with Eric Lyons

Expertly prepared by our master butchers and sourced locally, we stock a range of chicken including skin on chicken breasts, chicken wings and boneless chicken thighs. To enjoy the succulent texture and flavour of our chicken, shop now!