When you go out for fried chicken or order takeout, you might have leftover wings, breasts, and thighs. Before reheating them, you may wonder how to restore their flavor and texture. Here's how to reheat the chicken to taste nearly as good as when it first came out of the fryer.  

4 Ways to Reheat Fried Chicken 

1. Toaster Oven

Putting chicken in your toaster oven is a quick and easy way to get it nice and crispy. Taking leftovers out of the fridge and allowing them to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes lets the meat reach room temperature, which may help it heat evenly and keep it from losing moisture. Preheat the toaster oven to 400 degrees; line a small baking sheet with foil, and place the baking sheet into the toaster oven while it preheats. Once it reaches the correct temperature, carefully place the chicken onto the hot sheet and let it bake for about five minutes, or until heated through. 

2. Microwave

Microwaving fried chicken can cause the meat to lose internal moisture while making the skin soggy. However, you can prevent this by letting it come to room temperature before placing it on a microwave-safe plate and covering it with a paper towel. Heat the chicken at 30-second intervals until the meat warms through. Microwaving in these shorter increments can keep the crust from absorbing too much moisture and prevent the meat from drying out. 

3. Conventional Oven

If you don't have a toaster oven, reheating chicken in a conventional oven can crisp up the crust and heat the meat through. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees while bringing the chicken to room temperature. Cover a baking sheet in foil, and arrange breasts, thighs, and wings so that they are evenly spaced. Wrap the sheet in foil before placing it in the oven for about 10 to 20 minutes, or until the meat heats evenly. Placing foil over the chicken helps the crust get crunchy and locks in heat to accelerate cooking. 

4. Air Fryer

Air fryers circulate hot air around foods to warm them up and make them crispy. These devices provide the ideal method for reheating fried chicken, as they preserve the integrity of the meat and crust while ensuring even heating. Preheat the fryer to 375 degrees, and place a single layer of meat in the basket. Cook for a few minutes before flipping and cooking for another two to three minutes. Repeat with as many batches as necessary.

When you're in the mood for crispy and delicious fried chicken, head to Lee's Chicken Restaurant. This homestyle restaurant offers chicken dinners with all the fixings to hungry patrons throughout Lincoln, NE. Call (402) 477-4339 to place an order for lunch or dinner, and visit the website for their specials, sides, and sandwiches.