Reheating fried chicken breast in an air fryer is a great way to restore the crispy texture that you might have lost if the chicken has been refrigerated. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Before you start cooking, it’s essential to preheat your air fryer. This will ensure that the chicken will start reheating immediately once it’s placed inside, which helps to crisp up the skin.
– Turn on your air fryer.
– Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C).
– Allow the air fryer to preheat for about 3 minutes. Some air fryers have a preheat setting; if yours does, use it.
Step 2: Prepare the Fried Chicken Breast
While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare the chicken breast.
– Take the fried chicken breast out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This step is optional, but it can help the chicken reheat more evenly.
– If the chicken breast was frozen, ensure it’s fully thawed before reheating.
Step 3: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer
Proper placement of the chicken breast in the air fryer is key to achieving an even reheat.
– Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a cooking spray or line the basket with air fryer parchment paper to prevent sticking.
– Arrange the chicken breast in a single layer in the basket. Make sure there’s some space between each piece to allow the air to circulate freely around the chicken.
Step 4: Reheat the Fried Chicken Breast
Now it’s time to reheat the chicken.
– Slide the basket into the air fryer.
– Set the timer for about 10 minutes. The exact time might vary based on the size of the chicken breasts and your particular air fryer model.
– Halfway through the reheating process, open the air fryer and flip the chicken breast over to ensure even cooking. This is generally around the 5-minute mark.
Step 5: Check the Temperature
It’s important to make sure that the chicken is heated all the way through before serving.
– After the timer goes off, check the internal temperature of the chicken breast with a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for cooked poultry.
– If the chicken hasn’t reached the desired temperature, continue to heat it in increments of 1–2 minutes, checking the temperature after each interval.
Step 6: Serve
Once the chicken breast reaches the correct internal temperature, it’s ready to be served.
– Carefully remove the chicken breast from the air fryer basket as it will be hot.
– Let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, giving you a more succulent piece of chicken.
– Serve your reheated fried chicken breast with your chosen sides or dips.
Additional Tips
- If the chicken is browning too quickly but not yet heated through, you can lower the temperature by 25-50 degrees and continue cooking until it’s heated through.
- Refrain from piling up the chicken in the basket. Crowding can cause uneven reheating and a soggy exterior.
- Do not add water to the air fryer basket; the dry cooking method is what helps keep the skin crispy.
By following these steps, you should be able to enjoy a delicious piece of fried chicken breast reheated to crispy perfection using your air fryer.