If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you have cooked chicken but don’t know what to do with the leftovers, you’re not alone. Here is a guide for reheating cooked frozen chicken, so it’s still moist and flavorful.
The prominent challenge people face when reheating frozen cooked chicken is that they don’t know how to do it properly.
If you reheat chicken incorrectly, it can become dry, tough, and rubbery. However, if you follow these simple tips, you’ll be able to reheat your frozen cooked chicken perfectly every time!
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Reheating frozen cooked chicken
It’s no secret that chicken is a popular protein choice. It’s healthy, versatile, and relatively affordable.
But what happens when you have leftovers?
Can you reheat frozen cooked chicken?
Absolutely! In fact, there are several ways to do it.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Read our post How to Freeze Rotisserie Chicken.
How to reheat cooked frozen chicken in the microwave
One of the great things about cooked chicken is that it can be reheated and enjoyed even after it’s been frozen.
If you’re short on time, the microwave is the quickest way to reheat the frozen cooked chicken.
Just make sure to add a little moisture – either broth or sauce – to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Place the frozen chicken in a microwave safe plate.
2. Add water or chicken broth.
3. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap.
4. Microwave on High for 2-3 minutes, or until heated.
5. Remove the chicken from the microwave and serve.
Reheat your chicken in the oven
If you’ve got some cooked chicken in the freezer that you’re looking to reheat, one way to reheat chicken is using the oven.
Defrost the chicken in the fridge overnight.
When ready to reheat, preheat the oven to 350 F, place the chicken on a baking sheet and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
You can give it a little boost by adding sauce, gravy, or even just a drizzle of olive oil.
And if you’re looking for crispy skin, put the chicken under the broiler for a minute or two once it’s heated.
Just be careful not to overcook it, or you’ll end up with dry, tough chicken.
So keep an eye on it and pull it out of the oven as soon as it’s warmed. Then enjoy!
Read our post How to Boil Chicken Legs.
On the stovetop
Reheating frozen chicken on the stovetop is a quick and easy way to get tender, juicy results.
First, make sure that your chicken is fully thawed.
If it’s still icy in spots, it will take longer to reheat evenly.
Next, cut the chicken into small pieces to help it heat through more quickly.
Season the chicken as desired, then heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes per side until heated.
Be careful not to overcook the chicken, or it will become dry and tough.
Using the air fryer
The air fryer is one of the gadgets to make dinner faster and easier.
Not only can it cook up a mean batch of French fries, but it’s also great for reheating frozen cooked chicken.
Just pop your chicken in the air fryer, set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook until it reaches the internal temperature of 165° F. That’s it! No defrosting is required.
Plus, your chicken will come out nice and crispy, just like it did when you cooked it.
So next time you’re in a dinner-time bind, remember that your air fryer can help you get dinner on the table in a flash.
Read our post How to Make Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer.
Reheating frozen cooked chicken as part of a casserole or soup
One of the great things about cooked chicken is that you can easily reheat it and add it to various dishes.
If you’ve got some cooked chicken sitting in the freezer, there’s no need to thaw it out before adding it to a casserole or soup.
Add the frozen chicken to your dish and cook as usual.
The chicken will thaw out during the cooking process and be just as delicious as if you’d used fresh chicken.
So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add some extra protein to your soup, don’t forget that frozen cooked chicken is a great option.
Tips for reheating frozen cooked chicken
No matter your chosen method, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, always make sure your chicken is fully reheated.
You can do this by using a meat thermometer; the internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F.
If it isn’t, cook it for a few more minutes until it reaches that temperature.
Second, to ensure that all parts of your chicken heat through evenly, cut it into smaller pieces.
And finally, be sure to add some moisture back into the chicken as it reheats.
You can add a bit of broth, water, or even some oil or butter.
Doing this will help to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Now that you know how to reheat the frozen chicken, go forth and enjoy your delicious, reheated chicken!
How to use frozen cooked chicken
It’s happened to the best of us.
You come home from a long work day and realize you forgot to take anything out for dinner.
You open up the fridge and see that only one thing can save you from having to order take-out: a container of frozen cooked chicken.
But what do you do with it?
Here are some quick and easy dinner ideas that will make your reheated chicken taste like it was freshly cooked.
One option is to shred the chicken and add it to a salad.
This is a great way to get in some extra vegetables, and the chicken will help to keep you full.
Another idea is to chop the chicken into small pieces and add it to a stir-fry or pasta dish.
If you’re feeling lazy, you can always serve the chicken on its own with some rice or potatoes.
And, of course, there’s always the classic option of putting the chicken on a sandwich or wrap.
No matter how you eat it, reheated frozen chicken can be a lifesaver when you’re short on time and need a quick meal.
Read our post Is Rotisserie Chicken Keto?
FAQs about reheating frozen cooked chicken
Yes, you can reheat frozen cooked chicken in the microwave. Just make sure to test the temperature of the chicken before eating it, as it may not reach 165°F if microwaved.
Cooked chicken will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Yes, you can add frozen cooked chicken to a casserole or soup.
The chicken will thaw out during the cooking process and be just as delicious as if you’d used fresh chicken.
Here you can find some nutritional information on chicken.
