We’ve all been there. You ordered way too much KFC for dinner last night, and now you’ve got a fridge full of cold, soggy fried chicken. While it’s tempting to just eat it cold (and let’s be honest, sometimes cold fried chicken hits the spot), most of us prefer our Kentucky Fried Chicken hot and crispy – just like when it first came out of the Colonel’s kitchen.
But reheating KFC can be tricky. Do it wrong, and you’ll end up with rubbery, dried-out chicken that’s lost all its magic. Do it right, though, and you might just convince yourself it’s fresh from the restaurant.
After trying countless methods (and suffering through some truly disappointing reheated chicken), I’ve figured out exactly how to bring KFC back to life. Let me share my best tips with you!
Why Reheating KFC Is Challenging
Before we dive into the methods. it’s important to understand why reheating fried chicken is so tricky
- The crispy coating absorbs moisture from the chicken over time
- The breading can get soggy and greasy when stored
- Reheating can dry out the meat while not crisping the exterior
- Finding the right balance between hot interior and crispy exterior is challenging
Safety First: Storage and Handling
Before reheating make sure your KFC has been stored properly
- Always refrigerate leftover KFC within 2 hours of serving
- Store in an airtight container
- Consume within 3-4 days
- Always reheat chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety
The Best Methods for Reheating KFC
I’ve tested all the popular methods for reheating Kentucky Fried Chicken, and here are my findings, ranked from best to worst:
1. The Air Fryer Method (My Top Pick!)
The air fryer is hands-down my favorite way to reheat KFC. It’s quick, easy, and gets the chicken amazingly crispy.
How to do it
- Let the chicken come to room temperature (about 20-30 minutes on the counter)
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd!)
- Air fry for 3-5 minutes until crispy and heated through
- Check that internal temperature reaches 165°F
Why it works: The hot air circulation in the air fryer revives the crunch of the coating while heating the chicken quickly enough to prevent it from drying out.
2. The Oven Method (Most Reliable)
If you don’t have an air fryer, the oven is your next best bet for reheating KFC.
How to do it:
- Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit for 20-30 minutes
- Preheat your oven to 400°F
- Place a wire rack on a baking sheet (this is important for air circulation!)
- Arrange chicken pieces on the wire rack in a single layer
- Reheat for 10-15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 120-165°F
Pro tip: Using the wire rack is key here – it allows air to circulate underneath the chicken, preventing soggy bottoms!
3. The Stovetop/Refrying Method (Most Authentic)
If you want your KFC to taste almost exactly like it did fresh, refrying is the way to go – though it’s more effort.
How to do it:
- Let chicken come to room temperature
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to around 350°F
- Carefully place chicken pieces in the hot oil
- Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally
- Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil
Why some people love it: This method most closely mimics the original frying process, giving you a super crispy exterior. But it’s messy and time-consuming.
4. The Skillet Method (No Extra Oil)
If you don’t want to deep fry but still want crispy chicken:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat
- Place chicken pieces skin-side down in the dry skillet
- Cover with a lid and heat for 2-3 minutes
- Flip the pieces and heat for another 1-2 minutes until warmed through
5. The Microwave Method (Last Resort Only!)
I don’t usually recommend the microwave for KFC, but if you’re in a hurry:
- Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate
- Cover with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in
- Heat in 30-second intervals, checking after each
- Let stand for a minute before eating
Why it’s not ideal: While quick, microwaving makes the coating soft and soggy, and can make the meat rubbery. But sometimes we’re just hungry and in a rush!
Tips for Preserving Moisture and Flavor
No matter which method you choose, these tips will help keep your reheated KFC tasting great:
- Always let the chicken come to room temperature first. This helps it reheat more evenly.
- Don’t reheat chicken more than once. Each reheating cycle degrades quality.
- Consider adding fresh seasonings. A little salt, pepper, or even a dash of cayenne can revive flavor.
- If the chicken seems dry after reheating, serve with dipping sauce like honey mustard or ranch.
Making Leftover KFC Into New Meals
If your reheated chicken still isn’t doing it for you, consider transforming it into something new:
- KFC Tacos: Shred the meat, crisp it up in a pan, and serve in tortillas with toppings
- Chicken Salad: Chop cold KFC and mix with mayo, celery, and seasonings
- Chicken Soup: Remove the skin, shred the meat, and add to your favorite soup
- Buffalo Chicken Dip: Shred the meat and mix with cream cheese and hot sauce
My Experience Reheating KFC (A Real Story)
Last month, I ordered a 16-piece bucket for a small gathering at my place. We had 7 pieces leftover, and I was determined not to waste them. I tried the air fryer method for some pieces and the oven method for others.
The air fryer pieces were ready in just 4 minutes and tasted almost fresh – crispy on the outside and still juicy inside. The oven pieces took longer (about 14 minutes) but came out nearly as good. The biggest surprise? Both methods were WAY better than the microwave method I’d used in the past, which always gave me soggy, sad chicken.
Why You Should Skip the Microwave
All three experts consulted in the articles agree on one thing: the microwave is the worst way to reheat KFC. Here’s why:
- It heats by exciting water molecules, which makes the breading soggy
- It can dry out the chicken meat while making the coating soft
- It results in uneven heating with some parts too hot and others cold
- It can toughen the coating rather than crisp it
Final Thoughts
Reheating Kentucky Fried Chicken doesn’t have to result in disappointment. With the right method – preferably an air fryer or oven with a wire rack – you can enjoy crispy, delicious KFC the second time around.
Remember that no reheated chicken will be 100% identical to fresh, but these methods get you remarkably close. The extra few minutes of proper reheating are totally worth it when you bite into that crispy, juicy piece of chicken that doesn’t taste like leftovers at all!
Is it safe to reheat fried chicken?
Reheating leftover fried chicken is safe, provided that it was fully cooked the first time and was well wrapped and refrigerated promptly (within a couple hours) after it was originally cooked. In fact, eating leftover fried chicken cold or even room temperature is safe as long as it hasnt spent more than two hours in the “danger zone,” which is the USDAs term for temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, when bacteria grow fastest.
How do you keep reheated fried chicken crispy?
The trick to reheating any kind of meat is to keep the moisture levels in balance. Some methods—such as the microwave, which works by heating up the water in a food—will keep meat moist, but make it unpleasantly soft. Other methods, such as the oven, can dry meat out if youre not careful, making it tough and chewy.
Theres no reheating method that can get leftover fried chicken to taste as good as it does when its freshly cooked, but its not terribly difficult to get something close to a return to glory as long as youre careful. Heres what we suggest. (Note: These method should work with other fried foods as well.)
What Is The Best Way To Reheat Kentucky Fried Chicken?
FAQ
Is it better to reheat KFC in the oven or microwave?
- Can I reheat KFC chicken in a microwave?
- You can but the result won’t be pleasant.
- Your chicken will end up hard, rubbery, chewy or any combination of the above and the coating will be soggy.
- It’s better to put in the oven, gas mark 4 for 20 minutes.
- Or better still use an air fryer, 190°c for 10 minutes.
Can KFC chicken be eaten the next day?
Cooked chicken can stay in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and 1 week for sausage/lunch meat. Store in labeled, airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking or 1 hour if temps are 90°F plus. Avoid food poisoning by checking for gray-green color, slimy appearance and foul, acidic odor.
What’s the best way to reheat fried chicken in the oven?
How to reheat fried chicken in the microwave and keep it crispy?