In my household, leftovers are an everyday occurrence. Some nights I don’t feel like making a 5-star gourmet meal, so leftovers are my go-to. However, one of the biggest problems I encounter with my leftovers is the reheating methods. Some foods can easily be reheated without a second thought, while others are at risk of going from crunchy to soggy if heated improperly. One type of food that falls into this risky category is roast chicken. Before any further due, let’s learn how to reheat roast chicken with multiple methods.
Do you also have leftovers of delicious Egg Rolls? Let’s reheat together!
I love eating freshly-made roast chicken as much as the next person. What I don’t like is dried-out roast chicken, which has a tendency of happening during the reheating process. The good news is, that there are several ways to reheat roast chicken without creating a dry and disgusting creation. This article will teach you how to reheat a roast chicken without drying it out or ruining the delicious flavor.
How to Reheat Roast Chicken in the Oven Using the Flashing Method (Recommended)
If you are an amateur chef like me, the term “flashing method” may be new to you. However, chefs at gourmet restaurants use the flashing method all the time to reheat foods quickly. This method works by reheating foods at relatively high temperatures for only a few minutes. This means that the food will be completely heated without actually starting the cooking process.
Reheating Process in the Oven
Here’s how you do it:
- If you haven’t already removed the roast chicken from the refrigerator, now is the time to do it. The chicken should be thawed for around 30 minutes.
- While the chicken is thawing, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Divide the roast chicken into single-serving sizes. This will make sure that each piece of chicken is heated thoroughly.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or with a baking mat. Then, place the individual pieces of chicken on the baking sheet. Make sure to spread out each piece, do not stack pieces on top of each other.
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter over the chicken. You can also lightly spray the roast chicken with cooking spray. Both of these methods will help the chicken maintain moisture while also providing a crispier skin.
- Take another sheet of aluminum foil and drape it loosely over the baking sheet. Place the chicken in the oven for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes are up, remove the aluminum foil from the pan and let the chicken heat for another 5 minutes. This will allow the skin to develop a nice and crispy texture.
- Take the chicken out of the oven and check the temperature. Using a thermometer, verify that the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can place the chicken back in the oven for 4 minutes at a time, or until it has heated all the way through. Once it has, enjoys!
How to Reheat Roast Chicken in the Oven
If you are intimidated by using the flashing method, you can always choose to reheat roast chicken in the oven using traditional methods. The results will still yield a delicious and yummy reheated roast chicken. This method can also be used to heat the entire chicken, rather than carving it into pieces
- Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let the oven preheat.
- Place the chicken in dish that can safely be heated in the oven. Then, pour a cup of broth over the chicken. The broth will help prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Place a piece of aluminum foil over the dish. Once the oven is preheated, place the chicken in the oven.
- Set the timer for 20 to 25 minutes. Once the time is up, remove the aluminum foil and continue heating the chicken for 5 more minutes.
- Take the chicken out of the oven and check the temperature. If it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is ready to be eaten! If it needs more time, place the chicken back in the oven and continue cooking it for 5 minutes at a time.
How to Reheat Roast Chicken in the Microwave
For those of you in a rush, or who do not have an oven easily accessible, the microwave may be your only option. If you plan on using the microwave, you will not be able to heat the entire chicken at once.
- Slice the chicken into individual serving sizes. Each size should be small enough that it can easily fit into the microwave.
- Place the individual pieces onto a microwave-safe dish. Then, lightly dampen a paper towel and place it over the chicken. The paper towel will help seal the moisture in the chicken. No one likes dried-out roast chicken!
- Put the chicken in the microwave and heat it for 1.5 to 2 minutes.
- Take the chicken out of the microwave and check the temperature. If it isn’t hot enough, you can place it back in the microwave and continue heating for 20-second intervals. Once it has been heated all the way through you can dig in!
Conclusion
So now you know the secret to the best way to reheat the roast chicken. The flashing method is a chef’s best-kept secret. Using this method, you will be able to heat the chicken without starting the cooking process. It keeps the inside of the chicken moist while maintaining a crunchy exterior. The most important step is to coat the chicken with butter or cooking spray. The added flavor of the butter will really heighten your taste buds and eating experience.
Roast chicken can be safely kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Make sure you check the quality of the chicken before you start heating it. If it has a weird smell or a slimy texture, you should err on the side of caution and throw it away.
When you’re ready to reheat your chicken, simply follow the quick steps mentioned above. You will have a scrumptious chicken meal prepared within no time!
