Knowing which foods can or cannot be reheated is very important especially if you are someone who likes keeping leftovers. In this article we are going to be discussing whether it is safe to reheat chicken.
Contents
Is It Safe To Reheat Chicken
Yes, it is completely safe to reheat chicken however, there are a few specific guidelines you need to follow in order to ensure that the chicken is safe to eat. For starters, you need to reheat the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. If it has an internal temperature that is lower than that, it will not be safe to eat. This is because bacteria usually affects chicken that is below that temperature range and the only way to kill it is to heat it up to 165F.
How To Reheat Chicken Safely
A rule of the thumb is to always reheat chicken using the kitchen appliance that was used to cook it in the first place. So if your chicken was cooked using an oven you can simply reheat it using an oven and if it was cooked on the stove, then the stove is the best appliance to reheat it. This rule helps to preserve the texture and the flavor of your chicken. However, in as much as following this rule yields positive results, it is still possible to do the completely opposite. For example you can reheat chicken that was cooked in an oven using a stove whilst the opposite is true. Below we highlight some of the methods you can use to reheat roasted, baked or fried chicken.
How To Reheat Chicken Safely In The Oven
NB: the oven gives you the opportunity to reheat multiple portions of chicken.
When using the oven to reheat chicken safely, the first thing you need to do is to preheat the oven to 350F. Take a baking sheet and then line it with parchment paper. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The next step is to place the chicken into the baking sheet. Place it into the oven and let it reheat for about 15 to 20 minutes. When the chicken is ready take a thermometer and check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should read 165F. If not continue reheating the chicken until ready.
How To Reheat Chicken Safely On Stove
NB: this method can be a bitty messy because oil usually splatters onto the stove.
If you are going to be using the stove to reheat chicken safely, the first thing you have to do is to switch on the stove to medium heat. Take a non-stick frying pan and then smear it with a little bit of oil. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once the oil has heated, place your chicken into the frying pan. Make sure that it is not overcrowded in the pan as this can prevent it from reheating evenly. Reheat the chicken for a few minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165F.
How To Reheat Chicken Safely In Air Fryer
NB: this is a quick way which doesn’t require you to be exactly hands on.
When using the air fryer to reheat fried chicken the first thing you need to do is to preheat the air fryer to 320F. Take your chicken and then place it inside the air fryer basket. Please ensure that it is not overcrowded as this can cause it to become soggy. Close the air fryer basket and let the chicken reheat safely for 15 minutes. You should flip or shake the basket at 5 minute intervals so that the chicken can heat up on both sides. When the chicken is ready you can take it out and serve to your guests.
How To Reheat Chicken Safely In A Toaster Oven
NB: a toaster oven is smaller in size when compared to a regular oven and because of that it can only be used to reheat limited portions of chicken at a time.
If you have a toaster oven and you decide on using it to reheat chicken the best thing would be to start by preheating it to 350F. Take a baking sheet and then place your chicken inside. Place the chicken in the toaster oven and let it reheat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to keep a close eye on the chicken so that it doesn’t burn. When the chicken is ready take it out and then serve to your guest.
Tips For Reheating Chicken Safely
- Always thaw your check before reheating it, especially if it was being stored in the freezer. You can choose to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few minutes.
- Always reheat chicken until it has an internal temperature of 165F. Failure to do so can result in you getting sick after consuming the chicken.
- Chicken should only be reheated once. Continuous reheating can cause the meat to completely lose its texture and flavor.
- Always ensure that the chicken you intend on reheating is stored the correct way or else you risk getting sick.
- Avoid using the microwave to reheat chicken because it usually causes the met to become dry.
Can I Reheat Chicken In The Microwave?
It is possible to reheat chicken in the microwave but it is not advisable. This is mainly because, the microwave produces intense heat which dries out chicken and turns it soggy on the outside. So if you want to prevent this from happening to your chicken its best that you desist from using the microwave to reheat chicken.
Can You Put Cooked Chicken In Fridge?
Yes you can put cooked chicken in fridge. All you have to do is to place the cooked chicken in an airtight container and then store it in the fridge. When you are ready to eat it, simply use any of the methods in this article to reheat it.
Conclusion
It is completely safe to reheat chicken as noted in the article above. However, you should try by all means to avoid using the microwave to reheat chicken as it tends to sacrifice its flavor and texture.
