Want to revitalize leftover fried chicken? These are the best ways to reheat chicken in the air fryer in less than 10 minutes.

There’s nothing worse than soft fried chicken. Well, there are some things worse – but who likes biting into leftover fried chicken and getting something soft and soggy in return? That’s where your air fryer comes in. The best way to bring back texture and taste is to reheat the chicken in an air fryer.

So, below is my handy guide with simple instructions for the best way to reheat chicken wings, tenders, and more.

Can You Make Leftover Fried Chicken Crispy Again?

Yes! Reheating breaded chicken is something of an art form in that there are plenty of ways for it to go wrong. But I’ve found reheating chicken pieces in an air fryer to be the best option. For maximum crispiness, you can also spray it with a little bit of oil.

Best Way To Reheat Fried Chicken

The best way for reheating leftover fried chicken is with an air fryer. Using this method is easy and quick – it takes less than 10- 15 minutes. It will also reheat the pieces of chicken evenly and keep their crispy skin.

On the other hand, using a microwave will make the exterior soft and soggy. The chicken might also not reheat evenly on the inside. And using an oven can take up to 30 minutes (though it can work better for large batches of chicken). That’s why I don’t recommend these methods when you are looking for a quick and easy way to heat a few chicken pieces for a snack or midweek dinner.

How To Reheat Fried Chicken In Air Fryer

First, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C – this will stop any extra moisture from getting in. If wanted, spray a bit of oil on the outside of the chicken – just a bit goes a long way.

Depending on the size, you’ll want to reheat fried chicken in the air fryer basket for about 5-7 minutes or up to 8-10 minutes. To make sure it’s well reheated, check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C) when perfectly cooked. 

If you’re working with pieces of fried chicken like chicken breast or chicken thighs, you’ll want to be sure they stay moist when you’re reheating them as they are most prone to drying out.

Place a single layer of room temperature fried chicken (make sure it’s not straight out of the fridge) in the basket. Work in batches and avoid piling pieces on top of each other, as this will prevent the skin from becoming crispy and can make your chicken dry.

For larger pieces, you’ll want to air fry the fried chicken in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes. Flip halfway through so the crisp is even on both sides and fully cooked.

Chef’s Tip: How long to reheat fried chicken in air fryer will depend on the size of the pieces. So keep in mind that the cooking time will vary a bit. To stop any pieces from drying out or not being thoroughly reheated, cook smaller pieces for a shorter amount of time and bigger pieces for longer – and be sure to check the temperature to avoid any dry chicken. 

Check the chicken temperature at eight minutes – it should be around 165°F (74°C). If needed, keep warming for 1-2 more minutes.

When the chicken is heated through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer tray. You can place it on a wire rack or paper towel to let it cool for a minute before serving. 

This is how simple it is to warm fried chicken in the air fryer.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• The Best Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
• Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
• Quick and Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

For more inspiration, browse through my list of air fryer recipes.

If you try any of these tips for reheating fried chicken, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!