Fried chicken tenders are a delicious and popular appetizer or main course. However, like many fried foods, they don’t maintain their ideal texture for long after cooking. Knowing the best reheating methods helps you resurrect that fresh-from-the-fryer taste and crunch. With a few simple tricks, you can reheat fried chicken tenders to crispy, mouthwatering perfection.
Can You Reheat Fried Chicken Tenders?
Yes, you can safely reheat fried chicken tenders without drying them out or making them soggy. Proper reheating brings the tenders back up to a safe 165°F internal temperature to eliminate any bacteria that may have grown during storage.
With the right techniques, reheated fried chicken can taste nearly identical to freshly fried chicken. The keys are using the correct reheating method for the specific type of batter or breading, controlling the temperature and time to prevent overcooking, and keeping the exterior coating crisp.
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Fried Chicken Tenders?
The ideal reheating method depends on whether the chicken tenders have a light breading, heavier batter, or naked without coating.
For Lightly Breaded Fried Chicken Tenders:
Chicken tenders with a light breading or flaky coating reheat best in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack. Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through. The oven’s dry heat crisps the exterior coating.
For Heavily Battered Fried Chicken Tenders:
Tenders coated in a thick, crunchy batter need gentler reheating. Microwaving makes the batter soggy. Convection ovens and air fryers work well. Convection ovens use a fan to circulate dry heat evenly. Air fryers use super hot air for a crispy finish. Reheat battered tenders for 7-10 minutes at 350°F.
For Naked Fried Chicken Tenders:
Tenders fried without batter or breading do best reheated in the skillet. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tenders and cook 2-3 minutes per side. The pan’s direct heat crisps the outside without drying the juicy meat.
Tips for Reheating Fried Chicken Tenders
Follow these tips for the best results when reheating fried chicken tenders:
- Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the interior reaches 165°F.
- Reheat fully cooked tenders within 2-3 days for food safety.
- Avoid reheating more than once, which dries out the meat.
- Don’t crowd tenders on a baking sheet or in a pan.
- Brush tenders with oil before reheating for added moisture and crunch.
- Flip tenders over midway during reheating to heat evenly.
- Let fried chicken rest 1-2 minutes after reheating for crisper coating.
- Don’t microwave chicken with batter or breading to avoid sogginess.
Common Methods for Reheating Fried Chicken Tenders
Here is an overview of the most popular reheating methods for fried chicken tenders:
Oven
The oven’s dry, ambient heat thoroughly reheats chicken tenders and crisps up the coating. Use 350°F for 10-15 minutes based on amount. Baking sheets or wire racks allow air circulation.
Air Fryer
Air fryers use concentrated, high-heat airflow to mimic deep frying. Reheat tenders at 350°F, shaking the basket halfway. Avoid overcrowding.
Toaster Oven
A roomy toaster oven reheats tenders nicely using radiant heat and a bottom heating element. Use a temperature of 325°F to avoid burning the coating.
Convection Oven
The fan in a convection oven circulates hot air for fast, even reheating. Keep temperatures lower, around 300°F, to prevent drying.
Microwave
Microwaves quickly reheat chicken but make coatings soggy. Microwave plain fried chicken 1-2 minutes on 50% power. Avoid microwaving breaded tenders.
Skillet
Reheat naked, unbreaded tenders in a skillet with oil over medium heat. The direct heat crisps the exterior beautifully.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Dries coating for crispy finish | Longer reheating time |
| Air Fryer | Quickly crisps coating | Smaller batch sizes |
| Toaster Oven | Crisp tenders with direct heat | Potential to burn coating |
| Convection Oven | Fast, even reheating | Can dry out chicken |
| Microwave | Very fast | Makes coating soggy |
| Skillet | Crisps exterior of plain tenders | Breading can burn |
Tips for Storing Leftover Fried Chicken Tenders
To safely save uneaten fried chicken tenders for later reheating:
- Let tenders cool completely, then refrigerate in sealed container within 2 hours.
- Use tenders within 3-4 days for best quality.
- Freeze for longer storage. Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
- Thaw frozen tenders in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Avoid letting cooked tenders sit at room temperature more than 2 hours.
Proper storage retains the taste and extends the fridge life of leftover fried chicken. Reheating restores the crunch and flavor of fresh fried chicken tenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you reheat fried chicken tenders in the oven or microwave?
The oven is usually better than the microwave for reheating breaded or battered fried chicken tenders. The microwave makes coatings soggy while the oven’s dry heat crisps the exterior.
Do air fryers make good fried chicken tenders?
Yes, air fryers create crispy fried chicken with little to no oil. The super hot, high-velocity air quickly browns and cooks chicken tenders for tender juiciness inside with a crispy coating.
Can you reheat fried chicken tenders on a grill?
You can reheat plain fried chicken on the grill to add nice char. But battered or breaded tenders may stick and fall apart. Use gentle direct heat if grilling tenders.
How long is fried chicken good for in the fridge?
Cooked fried chicken lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat within that time, discarding any chicken that smells, looks or feels off. Freeze for longer storage.
Is it better to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer or oven?
Air fryers generally reheat fried foods like chicken better than the oven. The intense heat mimics frying for crispy results fast. But the small capacity may require reheating in batches.
Conclusion
Reviving leftover fried chicken tenders requires the right reheating method and some care to avoid overcooking or soggy coatings. With lighter breading, use the oven. For heavy batter, try the air fryer or convection oven. Plain fried chicken does well in the skillet. Proper storage, gentle reheating, and an instant thermometer are keys to crispy, mouthwatering results. With the proper technique, reheated fried chicken tenders taste nearly as scrumptious as they did hot out of the fryer.