Foods are precious; not all have the luxury of having several dishes on the table, let alone a quick meal. It is a waste to let them stale or throw them away just because you cannot finish what you cooked or bought.
Meanwhile, others prepare chicken wings in large servings and put away some portions to save them for later. Hence, storing and reheating leftovers is never an issue.
However, even when this is not an issue, worse things can happen when reheating the chicken wings. Chicken wings are best when crispy and saucy, and reheating them might not keep their quality.
Chicken wings can still be good even when stored and get cold in the fridge. You must know the different methods of reheating chicken wings to prevent them from getting soggy and unappetizing.
You can reheat chicken wings in several ways, but knowing the best method maintains its texture and flavor.
Different Ways to Reheat Chicken Wings
These easy-to-do reheating methods ensure that your chicken wings will be saucy, flavorful, and crispy, just like how you made or brought them.
Microwave Method
If you have a lot of chicken wings to reheat and doing it in batches is not your thing, this is the best method for you. It only takes 10 minutes to reheat a large batch of chicken wings in a microwave.
Preheat the microwave oven to 350 F. Make sure to use a microwave-safe plate or glassware and line it with a damp paper towel. The paper towel absorbs the excess moisture that comes off from the chicken. Place the chicken wings on the plate and cover it with another damp paper towel.
Place the chicken wings in the microwave and set it for 2 minutes or until it is warm. Be careful not to overheat the chicken wings.
You do not want to have dried chicken, right? Reheating your chicken does not end here. Transfer it to a baking sheet and set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook each side of the chicken for a minute.
Indeed, the microwave method is the fastest way to reheat your chicken wings. Take the chicken wings, serve and enjoy them hot.
Toaster Oven Method
Reheating chicken wings in a toaster oven is the quickest method. Place the chicken wings on a sheet of foil. Do not wrap the foil. Heat the chicken wings in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This reheating method maintains the addictive crisp of the chicken wing.
Convection Oven Method
You will appreciate the convection setting of your oven. Former oven models overheat and dry out wings, but with this method, your chicken wings will come out perfectly fine.
Let your chicken wings sit outside the fridge for a while, and let them reach room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a layer of baking sheet on the oven tray, and ensure you use a non-stick baking sheet.
Place the tray into the oven and let it heat for 10 minutes. You can also do it for 5 minutes for each side. This depends on how you like how done or crispy will your chicken wings be.
Broiler Method
Reheating chicken wings in a broiler may take a little longer than the other methods, yet this method will preserve the taste of the wings and prevents the skin from becoming soggy.
If you are reheating saucy chicken wings, wrap them with foil to ensure it does not dry or drip inside the broiler.
Let the broiler preheat and place the wings directly on the grates. Close the lid and let it cook for 8 minutes. If you have an internal temperature thermometer, check if it is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully remove the chicken wings from the broiler and let it rest for 3 minutes.
On-the-Stove (Frying Pan) Method
If you are dealing with chicken wings with sauce, the on-the-stove or frying pan method is the best to take. Use a non-stick frying pan to ensure the sauce does not stick. The frying pan method only takes 10 minutes.
Take the chicken wings out of the fridge. Preheat the frying pan while the wings sit for a few minutes to reach room temperature. Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the frying pan; note that the amount of oil depends on how many chicken wings you will reheat. Turn the heat setting on high.
Add the chicken wings to the frying pan once the oil is hot. Observe the color of the chicken wings. If it appears golden, it is time to remove them from the pan.
Air Fryer Method
Recently, air fryers have gained popularity. It gives crispy fried food without the need to use oil. It has the same function as a convection oven that heats the food by air circulation; this makes an air fryer one of the ideal methods of reheating chicken wings.
Remove the chicken wings from the fridge to let their temperature go down to room temperature— preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spray a minimal amount of oil on the air fryer basket and sparsely place the chicken wings around the basket. Do not stuff the chicken wings, or the air fryer cannot reheat the wings evenly. Reheat per batch for up to 10 minutes.
Best Way to Reheat Leftover Chicken Wings
Honestly, there is no best way to reheat leftover chicken wings. Best is subjective; it depends on your preference and the condition of your chicken wings.
The common complaint with reheated chicken wings is it does not preserve the crispiness of the chicken skin. Although most of the time it does not keep the crispiness, what greatly matters is the flavor is maintained.
Chicken wings reheated in the oven and air fryer has the best results. It maintains the skin texture and flavor of the chicken wings. If you are reheating saucy chicken wings, it is best to reheat them in a microwave oven or broiler. This method ensures the sauce does not dry out, and other methods make the chicken soggy.
How to reheat chicken without drying out?
Brine your chicken wings to prevent them from drying when you reheat them later.
This is the best technique you can use if you plan to cook a large serving of chicken wings and want to put away some for later. Learn how to brine your chicken wings to avoid them from becoming dry and rubbery when you reheat them later.
How to reheat frozen chicken wings?
Reheating frozen chicken wings has a different process than reheating chicken wings that were stored in the fridge. You have to thaw the frozen wings beforehand. Thawing might last longer; you can thaw frozen chicken wings overnight.
However, if you are in a hurry, you can submerge the frozen chicken wings in a water bath and wait until it softens. Do not remove the chicken wings from their container. Do not defrost the frozen chicken wings with heat; it will make them dry the wings.
You might learn other ways how to thaw your frozen chicken wings, but it is better to wait for them to soften inside the refrigerator or in a sealed bag submerged in cold water.
These two methods are better than heating the chicken wings in the microwave. It will dry them out and make them unappetizing.
Proper Ways to Store Leftover Chicken Wings
Before we part ways, let’s talk about how to store your leftover chicken wings properly. The key to making your leftover chicken wings maintain their flavor is to store them immediately.
It would be best if you put away the chicken wings 2 hours after you cooked or served them.
There is an excellent possibility that they can be contaminated with bacteria if you let the chicken wings sit longer on the counter or table. Place the chicken wings in an airtight or sealable container, or wrap the bowl with cling wrap, making sure it is tightly closed.
Leftover chicken wings in the fridge can last up to 3 to 4 days, and it is still safe to eat. If you store them longer than 4 days, they may still be safe to eat, but the taste starts to deteriorate.
Lastly, some say you can reheat your chicken wings more than once as long as you store them right away. However, we suggest reheating them only once and consuming them immediately.
Final Takeaway
Nobody can resist chicken wings, even if it is leftovers. But you will if you do not know how to store and reheat them properly! Keep your leftover chicken wings in an airtight container and place them in the fridge immediately after meals. Reheat them according to your method of preference.
