You can heat chicken tenders using a microwave oven, stove, or air fryer. Reheating chicken tenders has to be done correctly but quickly. However, make sure that they are not rubbery or chewy. You can use the microwave, but only if that is the option. The chances of having a soggy and chewy mess are high.
Only reheat chicken tenders once to stay crisp, moist, and tender. This article helps you find your favorite method and the tips that help you make tasty snacks when reheating chicken tenders.
Oven
The oven makes your chicken tenders crispy on the exterior, warm and juicy without drying them. This method takes a while as compared to the microwave. However, the wait is worth it. Ensure you do not pile the chicken tenders on top of each other to allow even heat distribution (greatist.com).
For better results, let the chicken tenders cool down after removing them from the fridge. If they have not reached room temperature, they will not be heated. Compared to an air fryer, it takes almost double the time to reheat fried chicken tenders in the oven.
You can still use it if that is the only option. Preheating the oven before heating your chicken makes it full of hot air. That is the air that circulates to increase the temperature of your cooked chicken evenly.
A convection oven works better because it uses a fan to improve air circulation. You may not add oil if you feel that your chicken is too oily. However, add a bit of oil to achieve the crunchiness of your leftover chicken strips.
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pull out the leftover chicken tenders from the fridge or freezer and thaw to room temperature, ensuring that the chicken will be heated evenly in the oven.
- Place the chicken tenders on a baking tray.
- Bake the chicken tenders for 15-20 minutes.
- When your chicken tenders are 3 inches long and less than an inch thick, they take about 15 minutes to reheat from a room-temperature state.
- Watch them so that they do not brown too quickly.
- Remove a tender with a pair of tongs and cut with a fork to check if they have the right temperature for you.
Stove
Another method you can use is the stovetop. You can resort to the stove if you do not have an air fryer or the oven is too slow. This method ensures that the tenders are heated and is the best method to use if you love extra crispy chicken tenders.
Do not wrap or cover them when reheating chicken tenders because the steam will make them soggy. Your oil temperature matters when using this reheating method. When too hot, you burn your tenders, and too cold, they soak up oil and turn greasy.
Use a cooking thermometer to test if your oil is hot enough. Alternatively, use the breadcrumb test or insert the end of a wooden spoon into the hot oil. Multiple bubbles form around the handle when the oil is ready. Too many bubbles mean it is too hot (thespruceeats.com).
Steps
- Pull the leftover chicken tenders from the fridge or freezer and let them reach room temperature.
- Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a heavy-bottom skillet or pan till it reaches a temperature of 400°F.
- Place the chicken tenders in the pan in a single layer to avoid crowding each other.
- Fry for two minutes on medium-high heat, turn once and fry for another minute.
- Be careful so that they should not brown too quickly. Since they are already cooked, do not overheat when reheating.
- Take the chicken tenders out of the pan.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve.
Microwave
Using a microwave has its advantages. It is quick and has a defrost option that you can use in advance if you have frozen chicken tenders. There is no need to thaw your precooked chicken tenders in the fridge overnight.
However, the microwave should be your last option since it makes fried food soggy and not tasteful. Be careful while using this method; otherwise, you will not enjoy your meal. Use an inverter microwave, which uses advanced technology to get the best out of the reheating process.
Steps
- Arrange your chicken tenders in a microwave-safe dish, leaving space between the pieces.
- Set the microwave to reheat. If your microwave does not have the setting, pick a low-heat setting.
- Set the time to 5 minutes. You do not have to add any oil.
- Serve when warm.
Best method
The best way to heat chicken tenders is in the air fryer. Not only will it prevent your chicken from being too oily, but it will heat it without drying it out or being soggy. Do not reheat cooked chicken tenders that have already been reheated and cooled down as the meat becomes tough.
Reheating chicken tenders in the air fryer is one of the best methods because you get tasty chicken leftovers that taste as good as new. The advantage of using an air fryer is that it produces hot air that heats the fried chicken from all sides without leaving any cold spots.
It removes all the moisture, so the chicken does not become soggy. Add a little oil when reheating chicken strips because it keeps the crust crunchy. When you are more concerned about your diet, use the air fryer than a method that adds too much fat to your precooked food.
For the best results, leave enough space between the chicken pieces while arranging them in the basket so they are heated evenly. Also, turn the chicken pieces to the other side to keep them hot and ready. If there is no room for air to circulate, the tenders take time to heat.
Steps
- Pull the leftover chicken tenders from the fridge or freezer and let them reach room temperature.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single. None of the pieces are piling on top of each other so that they heat evenly.
- Let the chicken heat up for about three to five minutes. Turn the tenders using thongs.
- Restart the air fryer and heat for another two minutes.
- Use tongs to remove reheated chicken strips from the air fryer to a plate.
Storage
In the fridge, chicken tenders can last up to 4 days as the cold temperature slows down the growth of bacteria. However, if you want to have them later, move them to the freezer, where they will last for about three months.
Do not store chicken tenders while they are still hot; the condensation from the hot chicken tenders will create more moisture and eventually ruin your favorite dish. That makes your dish mushy.
When keeping your chicken tenders’ leftovers in the freezer, move them to the fridge before reheating them for thawing. Leaving them in the fridge for one night thaws them enough. You can also activate the defrost option on your microwave. That is quick.
Safe Temperatures
When reheating chicken tenders, 350 degrees F is the best temperature.
FAQs
Can you freeze chicken tenders?
Yes, chicken tenders are great for freezing. Keep them frozen for up to 6 months. Flash-freeze first and then transfer into a freezer bag with the air removed. You can heat chicken tenders from frozen since thawing them will turn them soggy.