Method 1: Oven (Best — Crispy Result)

  1. 1

    Bring chicken to room temperature

    Take the chicken out of the fridge 15–20 minutes before reheating. Cold chicken placed in a hot oven results in uneven heating — dry outside before the inside is warm.

  2. 2

    Preheat oven to 200°C

    A hot oven is essential for re-crisping the coating. A low oven just dries the chicken out without achieving any crunch.

  3. 3

    Place on a wire rack over a baking tray

    This is the key step. The rack elevates the chicken so hot air circulates underneath — this re-crisps the bottom coating instead of steaming it soggy against the tray. Line the tray with foil for easy cleanup.

  4. 4

    Bake 15–20 minutes until heated through

    Small pieces (wings, strips): 12–15 minutes. Large pieces (thighs, drumsticks, breasts): 18–25 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 74°C. The coating should be noticeably crispy again.

Method 2: Air Fryer (Fastest Crispy Method)

The air fryer is excellent for reheating fried chicken. Place pieces in a single layer (do not overcrowd). Air fry at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Results are very close to freshly fried chicken — the circulating hot air re-crisps the coating beautifully.

Method 3: Skillet/Frying Pan

Heat a thin layer of oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 3–4 minutes per side until heated through and crispy. Works well for flat pieces. Watch carefully — can go from golden to burnt quickly.

Avoid the microwaveMicrowaves heat food by exciting water molecules — this steams the coating from the inside, making it soft and rubbery. If you must microwave, use 50% power in short bursts and accept that the coating will not be crispy. Place on a paper towel to absorb some moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Up to 3–4 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container. The coating softens significantly as it sits — reheating in the oven or air fryer restores most of the crispiness. Fried chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months — reheat from frozen at 200°C for 25–30 minutes.
Yes — the oven or air fryer method works excellently for KFC and similar fast food fried chicken. The coating and seasoning reheat well. Remove any sauces before reheating as they can burn. KFC pieces reheat best at 190°C for 15–18 minutes on a wire rack.