Are you staring at last night’s leftover chicken wondering how to bring it back to life? If you’ve got an air fryer, you’re in luck! I’ve tested countless methods, and let me tell you – the air fryer is a total game-changer for reheating chicken. It gives you that magical combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior that’s nearly impossible to achieve with a microwave.
But the big question remains how long do you reheat chicken in an air fryer? The answer depends on what type of chicken you’re reheating, but I’m gonna break it all down for you in this comprehensive guide.
Why the Air Fryer Rocks for Reheating Chicken
Before we dive into specific timing, lemme explain why the air fryer is so darn good for reheating chicken:
- Crispiness: The circulating hot air crisps up the exterior like nothing else, especially for fried chicken
- Speed: Much faster than an oven while giving better results than a microwave
- Moisture retention: Keeps chicken juicy inside while making it crispy outside
- Texture preservation: Maintains the original texture better than other reheating methods
- Easy cleanup: Way less hassle than traditional reheating methods
How Long to Reheat Different Types of Chicken
Here’s a quick reference table for reheating times based on the type of chicken:
| Type of Chicken | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Individual pieces (leg, wing, thigh) | 365°F (185°C) | 5-6 minutes |
| Whole/rotisserie chicken | 375°F (190°C) | 10-15 minutes |
| Chicken tenders/fingers | 365°F (185°C) | 2-3 minutes |
| Boneless chicken breasts | 350°F (175°C) | 8-10 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 360°F (182°C) | 5-6 minutes |
| Shredded chicken | 350°F (175°C) | 5-7 minutes |
| Chicken thighs (bone-in) | 350°F (175°C) | 12-15 minutes |
| Fried chicken | 365°F (185°C) | 3-5 minutes |
| Grilled chicken | 365°F (185°C) | 5-6 minutes |
Remember, these times are just starting points! Your specific air fryer model and the size/thickness of your chicken pieces might require a bit of adjustment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer
Here’s my foolproof method for reheating chicken in the air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to the appropriate temperature (see chart above)
- Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket – don’t overcrowd!
- Cook for half the recommended time, then flip the chicken
- Finish cooking for the remaining time
- Check internal temperature – it should reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety
- Let rest for a minute or two before serving
Tips for Super Juicy Reheated Chicken
I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make reheated chicken taste almost as good as fresh:
- Room temperature first: Let refrigerated chicken sit out for 10-15 minutes before reheating
- Add a touch of moisture: Lightly brush chicken with olive oil or chicken broth before reheating
- Don’t overlap pieces: Make sure each piece has air circulation around it
- Flip halfway through: This ensures even reheating and crispiness on all sides
- Use a meat thermometer: Check that internal temp reaches 165°F for safety
- Don’t reheat twice: Only reheat what you’ll eat, as repeated reheating dries out chicken
How to Reheat Specific Types of Chicken
Reheating Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is probably the BEST candidate for air fryer reheating! Here’s how I do it
- Let chicken come to room temp for 10-15 minutes if refrigerated
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket
- Reheat at 365°F for 3-5 minutes
- Flip halfway through
- Check for crispiness – add another minute if needed
The air fryer actually reactivates the oil in the breading, making it super crispy again!
Reheating Rotisserie Chicken
For a whole rotisserie chicken:
- Let chicken come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes
- Lightly brush with oil to enhance crispiness
- Place in air fryer basket
- Reheat at 375°F for 10-15 minutes
- Check internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F
Reheating Chicken Wings
Wings reheat amazingly well in the air fryer:
- Arrange wings in a single layer
- Set air fryer to 365°F
- Reheat for 5-6 minutes
- Flip halfway through
- They’ll be crispy outside and juicy inside!
Reheating Chicken Breast
Chicken breast can be tricky because it dries out easily, but the air fryer helps:
- Let chicken come to room temperature for 10 minutes
- Lightly brush with oil to help retain moisture
- Place in air fryer basket in a single layer
- Reheat at 350°F for 8-10 minutes (adjust based on thickness)
- Flip halfway through
- Let rest for a minute or two before serving
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When reheating chicken in an air fryer, watch out for these errors:
- Overcrowding the basket: This prevents proper air circulation
- Ignoring internal temperature: Always ensure it reaches 165°F for safety
- Reheating straight from the fridge: Let it warm up slightly first
- Using too high temperature: This can dry out your chicken
- Not flipping halfway: Results in uneven reheating
Creative Ways to Use Your Reheated Chicken
Once you’ve mastered reheating chicken, try these ideas to make new meals:
- Chicken tacos: Chop reheated chicken and fill taco shells with your fave toppings
- Chicken salad: Mix with mayo, celery, grapes and nuts
- Chicken fried rice: Dice and stir-fry with rice, veggies and soy sauce
- Chicken sandwiches: Layer with lettuce, tomato and mayo on bread
- Buffalo chicken wraps: Toss in buffalo sauce and wrap with lettuce and blue cheese
FAQs About Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
While not always necessary, preheating for 3-5 minutes often gives better results.
Can I reheat frozen chicken in the air fryer?
It’s best to thaw first, but if you’re in a hurry, add 50% more cooking time.
Is it safe to reheat chicken multiple times?
For food safety and quality, it’s best to only reheat chicken once.
How can I tell if my reheated chicken is done?
Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F internally.
My chicken is still cold in the middle – what now?
Return it to the air fryer in 2-minute increments until thoroughly heated.
Final Thoughts
Reheating chicken in an air fryer is honestly one of the best kitchen hacks I’ve discovered. Unlike the microwave (which turns everything rubbery) or the oven (which takes forever), the air fryer hits that sweet spot of speed and quality.
The key thing to remember is that different cuts of chicken need different times and temps. Start with my guidelines above, but don’t be afraid to adjust based on your specific air fryer model and chicken pieces.
With these tips, you’ll never suffer through sad, dry reheated chicken again! Your leftovers will taste almost as good as the first time around – sometimes even better when that skin gets extra crispy.
Ways To Use Your Reheated Grilled Chicken
I love having a batch of cooked chicken breasts or other grilled cuts in the refrigerator. They are so useful to have and make quick, easy meals with. Here are some ideas on what to do with your reheated leftovers:
- Salads: Shred or dice the reheated chicken and use it as a topping for a warm or room temperature salad. Try it with my wild rice salad! Combine it with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and your favorite dressing for a quick and healthy meal.
- Chicken tacos: Wrap the reheated chicken in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your favorite sauces for delicious chicken tacos. Check out my crispy baked tacos. So good!
- Chicken pasta: Slice or shred the reheated chicken and toss it with cooked pasta, olive oil, garlic. This one-pot creamy pasta recipe is a great base with leftover grilled chicken.
- Chicken sandwiches and wraps: Layer the reheated chicken between slices of bread or on a bun with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your favorite condiments for a tasty chicken sandwich. Leftover chicken makes great wraps, too – here’s my recipe for Asian pulled chicken wraps. Serve these with French fries – what else do you need in life?
- Chicken stir-fry: Cut the reheated chicken into bite-sized pieces and stir-fry it with vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, broccoli, and carrots. Season with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a flavorful stir-fry. Here’s a super simple 3-ingredient stir-fry topped with some leftover grilled chicken reheated in an air fryer.
- Chicken Soup or Stew: Add the reheated chicken to a pot of broth along with vegetables, noodles, and herbs to make a comforting chicken soup or stew.
- Chicken quesadillas: Use the reheated chicken as a filling for quesadillas, along with cheese, onions, peppers, and spices. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for dipping. Try my gooey cheese quesadillas and add leftover air fry chicken to them.
- Chicken pizza: Top a pizza crust with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and slices of reheated chicken. Add your favorite toppings, such as onions, peppers, and mushrooms, for a delicious homemade chicken pizza.
- Chicken fried rice: Chop the reheated chicken into small pieces and stir-fry it with cooked rice, vegetables, eggs, and soy sauce to make a flavorful chicken fried rice.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless when using grilled reheated chicken in lunch and dinner dishes.
Safety Precautions When Reheating Grilled Chicken
To reheat grilled chicken safely, you must make sure that the grilled chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
According to USDA guidelines, this is how to reheat chicken safely and prevent food poisoning.
Avoid reheating grilled chicken multiple times to mitigate the risk of contamination.
