Is there anything more craveable than fried chicken? Of all the chicken recipes out there, it’s one of the most popular for a reason. It’s so hard to beat that contrast in flavors and textures: the juicy, flavorful interior and the extra crunchy exterior. And once you learn how to fry chicken properly, there's really no going back!

Though it feels impossible that you could ever make too much fried chicken, there might come a time when you may have leftovers. You can serve it as is, smother it in gravy, or make an epic sandwich. But do you know how to reheat fried chicken to keep that crispy exterior and juicy center?

Reheating can be a challenge. That's because, over time, the meat's moisture seeps into the coating, making it soggy. So how do you bring it back to its finger-lickin' glory? Read on for three easy ways to reheat fried chicken. And no, none of them is the microwave—you'll just get a rubbery center and mushy exterior. Yuck! So stay away from the microwave and try these instead.

How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Oven

Much like baked chicken, a relatively hot oven will keep the skin crisp while the meat heats through. If you don't have a wire rack, you can also cover a sheet pan in aluminum foil and rotate the pieces halfway through.

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and let the chicken sit out for 10 to 30 minutes for it to come closer to room temperature.
  2. Put a wire rack on top of the sheet pan and then place the chicken on top. This will help the heat circulate around the chicken, ensuring that all sides stay crispy and heat evenly.
  3. Bake the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes or until it is thoroughly heated through.

How to Reheat Fried Chicken on the Stove

You can reheat chicken the same way you cooked it the first time: by frying it in a skillet! This will give you a nice, crisp exterior, though it might be a little greasier than the original. Keep those paper towels handy for absorbing it.

  1. Fill a large skillet with neutral cooking oil and heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 300 degrees. Let the chicken sit out while this is happening to let it come to room temperature.
  2. Gently place the chicken in the pan and cook for two to three minutes.
  3. Flip the chicken over and cook the other side for an additional two to three minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken and let it drain on a wire rack over paper towels for about 5 minutes to absorb excess oil.

How to Reheat Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer

This is probably the best method of all! If you're feeling a little salty about missing out on the convenience of a microwave, using an air fryer will cure what ails you. After all, an air fryer is designed to mimic the crispiness of conventionally fried food, just in way less time with no oil to make it greasy.

  1. Let your chicken sit out and come to room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes.
  2. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spaced out enough so that they aren't overlapping.
  3. Set the heat to 375 degrees and cook for three to four minutes per side, flipping your chicken halfway through.
  4. Remove the chicken and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly before eating.