Reheating leftover Popeyes fried chicken can be tricky. If not done properly, the chicken can end up soggy and lose its delicious crunchy exterior. The good news is that with some simple tips and tricks, you can revive leftover Popeyes chicken to be almost as good as when you first brought it home from the restaurant.
Should You Refrigerate Leftover Popeyes Chicken?
First things first – you need to store your leftover Popeyes chicken properly after bringing it home. It’s important to refrigerate fried chicken leftovers within 2 hours of purchasing. Leaving fried chicken out at room temperature for too long allows bacteria to grow rapidly.
To safely store leftover Popeyes chicken:
- Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Make sure to drain any excess oil or grease before storing.
- Refrigerate leftovers right away, within 2 hours of purchasing.
- Store chicken in the coldest part of the refrigerator, at 40°F or below.
- Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality.
- Do not freeze previously fried Popeyes chicken, as this causes the texture to degrade.
Proper storage prevents bacterial growth and keeps your Popeyes leftovers safe to eat for a few days. Just make sure to reheat the chicken thoroughly before eating.
Can You Microwave Leftover Popeyes Chicken?
You can reheat Popeyes fried chicken in the microwave, but the results tend to be disappointing. Microwaving often leads to uneven heating, with some parts scalding hot while others stay cold. And the texture just isn’t the same – microwave reheating leaves chicken soggy and mushy.
If you do microwave Popeyes leftovers, use a lower power setting around 50% and heat for short time intervals. Watch closely as it reheats and check for any cold spots. You may need to rearrange pieces or flip over halfway through. This method won’t recrisp the skin or revive crunch, but can work in a pinch.
How to Reheat Popeyes Chicken in the Oven
The best way to reheat leftover Popeyes chicken is in the oven. Oven heating allows you to crisp up the skin and restore that signature crunch! Here are some tips for oven-reheating success:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Arrange chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Avoid overcrowding – leave space between each piece.
- Brush or lightly coat chicken with a thin layer of oil. This helps promote crisping.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, then check for desired crispness and heat throughout.
- For even more crunch, turn oven to broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
- Watch closely to avoid burning.
The exact oven reheating time needed depends on amount and thickness of chicken. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F. Smaller tenders may only take 8-10 minutes while larger breast pieces can need up to 18-20 minutes.
Tips for Crispy Oven-Reheated Chicken
- Use a wire cooling rack placed on the baking sheet – this allows air circulation underneath.
- Start with fully chilled chicken straight from the fridge.
- Pat chicken dry before reheating to remove moisture that causes sogginess.
- Brush skin with oil or melted butter for added crispness.
- Bake at a high temperature like 375-400°F.
How to Reheat Popeyes Chicken in an Air Fryer
Reheating Popeyes chicken in an air fryer is fast, easy, and results in deliciously crispy leftover chicken. Air frying mimics deep frying, surrounding chicken pieces with hot circulating air. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- Place chicken pieces in air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Set time based on amount of chicken – start with 8-10 minutes.
- Check for doneness and crispness halfway through, flip if needed.
- Add 2-3 minutes more if desired to achieve extra crunch.
When air frying, keep a close eye to avoid overcooking. The high heat of an air fryer can quickly over-crisp the chicken if left in too long.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Popeyes Leftovers
- Brush or spray chicken with a little oil before air frying.
- Cut larger pieces in half so they reheat faster.
- Flip chicken over halfway for even reheating.
- Remove any skin or breading that seems very loose or detached.
- Pat off excess moisture with paper towels.
How Long Does Reheated Popeyes Chicken Last?
Leftover Popeyes chicken that has been reheated should be eaten right away for best quality and safety. Generally do not store reheated fried chicken again in the fridge or keep for later.
However, if you do have leftover reheated Popeyes chicken, here are some guidelines for max storage time:
| Storage Method | Max Time |
|---|---|
| On counter, room temp | Discard after 2 hours |
| In refrigerator | 3-4 days |
You can also portion out any extra reheated chicken to freeze for later use. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers for quick cooling. Once chilled, transfer desired amounts to freezer bags and freeze. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Can You Reheat Popeyes Chicken in the Air Fryer Twice?
It’s best to only reheat leftover Popeyes chicken once for food safety and quality. Reheating chicken that has already been reheated means it has gone through multiple temperature changes in and out of recommended safe zones.
However, reheating Popeyes chicken a second time in the air fryer can yield somewhat decent results compared to other methods. Air frying helps revive some of the crispy texture. To reheat twice:
- Only reheat amount you plan to eat immediately.
- Use a food thermometer to confirm chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Increase air fryer temperature to 400°F.
- Reheat for no more than 5-7 minutes to avoid drying out.
Keep in mind the chicken will not be as crispy, juicy, or fresh as the original. Only reheat twice if needed.
What is the Best Sauce for Reheated Popeyes Chicken?
Adding sauce can make reheated Popeyes chicken taste fresher and more moist. Good sauce options include:
- Popeyes Signature Sauces – Mild, Spicy, Sweet Heat, Bayou Buffalo, Voodoo
- Buttermilk Ranch – Cool and creamy dipping sauce
- Honey Mustard – Tangy sweetness and mild mustard flavor
- BBQ Sauce – Look for thicker, sticky sauces to coat chicken
- Buffalo Sauce – For a spicy kick if desired
When saucing reheated chicken, you may want to focus the sauce only on meat rather than heavily saucing the skin and breading. Too much sauce can lead to soggy crispness. Lightly tossing or dipping tends to work better than drowning chicken in sauce.
What is the Best Way to Reheat Popeyes Biscuits?
Along with fried chicken, those fluffy, buttery Popeyes biscuits are worth saving for later. Here are some reheating tips:
- Oven – Wrap in foil and reheat at 300°F for 8-10 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave – Wrap in paper towel and zap for 20-30 seconds to restore softness.
- Air Fryer – Mist with butter spray. “Fry” at 340°F for 4-5 minutes for a crispy reheated exterior.
Eat reheated biscuits right away for best texture and flavor. Letting them sit will cause biscuits to become stiff.
What is the Best Way to Reheat Mashed Potatoes and Cole Slaw from Popeyes?
Mashed potatoes and cole slaw round out a Popeyes feast. Here are some tips for reheating these tasty sides:
Mashed Potatoes
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between until heated through.
- Spoon portions into a skillet with butter or milk to reheat on the stovetop.
- For creamy texture, add more butter, cream or milk when reheating.
Cole Slaw
- Drain liquid before storing to prevent sogginess.
- Microwave 30-60 seconds just until chilled, not hot.
- Stir thoroughly when reheating to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Add extra mayonnaise or vinegar if needed to refresh.
Conclusion
With the right reheating method and some simple tips, leftover Popeyes fried chicken can taste nearly as heavenly as when first served. An air fryer or oven produces the best results for restoring crispy textures. Any leftovers should be reheated only once and eaten immediately for food safety. Feel free to get creative mixing and matching sauces to give reheated chicken new life. Now go enjoy those Popeyes leftovers!