Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Reheating Time

If you're looking to reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer, you're in luck! This method will ensure your leftover chicken is moist and tender on the inside, with a deliciously crispy exterior. It's also incredibly quick and easy to do.

First, preheat your air fryer to between 365°F and 400°F (around 180°C to 190°C) . While that's warming up, you can take your chicken thighs out of the fridge and bring them to room temperature. This will help the meat stay moist while cooking.

Next, place the chicken thighs into the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overlapping or touching. Depending on the size of your chicken thighs and the power of your air fryer, you'll want to reheat them for around 3 to 8 minutes. Flip the thighs halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.

And that's it! Your chicken thighs are now ready to be enjoyed. It's worth noting that you should only reheat chicken in an air fryer once, as doing it multiple times will dry out the meat.

Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F/180-190°C

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of reheating chicken thighs. By preheating your air fryer to the correct temperature, you ensure that your chicken thighs are reheated evenly and efficiently. The ideal temperature range for preheating your air fryer is between 380-400°F/180-190°C.

Preheating your air fryer to this temperature range helps to prevent your chicken thighs from drying out. It also helps to create a crispy skin on the outside while keeping the meat juicy on the inside. This temperature range is high enough to heat your chicken thighs thoroughly without burning or overcooking them.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to allow it to reach the desired temperature fully before adding your chicken thighs. This usually takes around 5 minutes, depending on your air fryer model. Once your air fryer has preheated, you can then place your chicken thighs inside and follow the remaining steps to reheat them to perfection.

Remember that the preheating temperature may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your air fryer and your personal preferences. However, staying within the range of 380-400°F/180-190°C will help ensure that your chicken thighs are reheated safely and effectively.

Bring chicken thighs to room temperature

Bringing chicken thighs to room temperature is an important step in the cooking process. While it may be tempting to pop your chicken straight from the fridge into the air fryer, allowing it to sit at room temperature for a while will ensure more even cooking.

How long should you leave chicken thighs to reach room temperature? Well, it's recommended that you let them sit for at least 30 minutes. This will help ensure that the centre of the chicken isn't still cold when you start cooking, which can result in uneven cooking.

However, it's important to note that leaving chicken at room temperature for too long can be dangerous, as it may increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. So, while bringing your chicken to room temperature is a good idea, be sure to keep an eye on the time and don't leave it out for longer than necessary.

Additionally, if you're working with breaded chicken, letting it sit after breading can help the coating stick to the meat. This resting period allows the egg and flour to form a "glue" that holds the coating in place. So, if you're breading your chicken thighs, be sure to factor in this resting time as well.

In summary, bringing chicken thighs to room temperature can help ensure even cooking and improve the final texture of your dish. Just be mindful of food safety and keep an eye on the time to avoid any potential risks.

Oil the chicken skin for crispness

To get the best results when reheating chicken thighs in an air fryer, it is recommended that you lightly brush or spray the chicken skin with oil. This will help to ensure the skin is crispy when the chicken is done.

When brushing the chicken skin with oil, use a light coating and ensure that the chicken pieces are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. This will allow the hot air to circulate and help to make the skin crispy.

You can use a variety of oils to brush or spray on the chicken skin, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or olive oil cooking spray. If you don't have any oil, you can also use the chicken's natural fat by poking the chicken skin to allow the fat to ooze out.

In addition to oiling the chicken skin, it is also important to preheat the air fryer, bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking, and flip the chicken thighs halfway through the cooking process.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your reheated chicken thighs will have a delicious, crispy skin.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket

When reheating chicken thighs in an air fryer, it's important to remember not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This is because air fryers rely on good airflow to cook food evenly and make it crispy. If you fill the basket to the brim, the air won't be able to circulate properly and your food will end up steaming instead of crisping.

To avoid overcrowding, it's best to cook in batches. This might seem like a hassle, but air fryer cooking is generally faster than roasting or frying, so it won't add too much time overall. Plus, you're more likely to end up with evenly cooked and crispy chicken thighs.

Another benefit of cooking in batches is that you can tailor the cooking time to the size of each piece of chicken. Smaller pieces will need less time, while larger pieces will need a bit longer. This will help ensure that your chicken is perfectly cooked and not overdone.

It's also important to leave some space around the air fryer itself. Aim for about five inches of space on all sides. This will allow for proper airflow and help the appliance function at its best.

Reheat for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway

Reheating chicken in an air fryer is a great way to ensure your leftover chicken retains its moisture and flavour. It's also a quick and easy process, taking only a few minutes.

To reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 380°F / 180°C. If you want to achieve extra crispy skin, you can spritz or spray the chicken skin with a small amount of oil before placing the chicken in the air fryer. Ensure that you leave space between each piece of chicken so that the hot air can circulate effectively.

Reheat the chicken thighs for 3-5 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs and the model of your air fryer, so it's important to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

To ensure your chicken thighs are safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C. This is the temperature at which chicken is cooked and safe to consume.

Frequently asked questions