How To Reheat Chicken Breast?

Chicken breast is the meat at the lower side of the pectoral muscle of the chicken. The breast is a single piece that is divided into two halves. In comparison to other meat variants, chicken meat is comparatively healthier and suitable for regular consumption. It can be grilled, barbecued, fried– the possibilities are endless! However, reheating stored chicken breasts can be a tricky task.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the different methods of reheating tender, juicy chicken breasts.

Best Way to Reheat Chicken Breast

Chicken breast is easier to cook in comparison to red meat. However, since it is an all muscle piece, it often turns out to be rubbery when reheated improperly. Overcooking is quite a possibility. You need to be vigilant to not overdo the temperature, or else you might end up with stiff breast meat.

Can You Reheat Chicken Breast in an Oven

The versatility of chicken breast makes it all the more fun to work with. You can pair it with literally any seasoning or sauce, and it’ll taste amazing! The only part that you need to pay special attention to while using the oven method is keeping the temperature moderate. As we mentioned before, it’s quite possible to overcook the chicken breast meat. 

Preheat the oven at 400° F. Place an oven-safe dish filled with water inside. This will keep the moisture intact, ruling out possibilities of dried chicken.

Place a baking rack covered with a baking sheet inside the oven. Put the chicken breast over the baking sheet and set the temperature to 350° F. Let it reheat for 10 minutes. The free flow of hot air around the chicken breast will warm it up inside out, and the water-filled container will help in maintaining the tenderness of the meat.

Can You Reheat Chicken Breast in a Microwave

The microwave method is perfect for reheating all types of meat. All you need is a microwave-safe container, a chicken breast, and some microwave-safe paper towels. Put the chicken breast in the container, add any sauces or seasonings, as per your will. Dampen the paper towel and place it above the dish. Put the container in the microwave and set the time for 3 minutes.

Check if the chicken breast has reheated to your liking. If not, pop it back in the same fashion and re-run the process until it warms up to your liking.

Can You Reheat Chicken Breast on the Stove

Chicken breast is a versatile piece of meat that can not only be cooked in different ways but can also be reheated through all methods possible. To reheat chicken breast on a stove, use a non-stick pan or skillet

Place the utensil over the stove; add three to four tablespoons of water for one chicken breast. If you will, you may cut the chicken breast in small pieces for easier, faster heating. Let the water sizzle up, place the chicken over it and cover with a lid. Let it sit on low heat for approximately 5-6 minutes.

Remove the lid to check if all the water has evaporated. Repeat the process if you do not achieve desired results in one go.

Can You Reheat Chicken Breasts on a Grill

The question isn’t “If you can”; the question is “If you should?” Reheating chicken breast on a grill might make the meat stiff and dry. However, with certain precautions, you may end up with an evenly heated plate of tender heaven.

Wrap the chicken breast in aluminum foil and place it indirectly over the rack. You may place a pan atop or keep it on the extreme side of the grill. Try to keep the heat medium to low and leave the aluminum foiled chicken for 8-9 minutes. The foil works as the perfect conductor of heat, evenly spreading the warmth across.

Remove the chicken from the grill, unwrap and serve with caramelized onions and BBQ sauce.

Can You Reheat Chicken Breast in a Toaster Oven

Before reheating the chicken breast in your toaster oven, preheat the oven at 400° F. Line the baking tray with aluminum foil and place the chicken breast on it. Add toppings or seasoning as per your choice.

Leave it in the toaster oven for about 5 minutes. You might end up with dried-out chicken breasts, but the crunch might make up for it.

Can You Reheat Chicken Breast in an Air Fryer

The air fryer might crispy-fy the tender, juicy chicken breast. The aim should be to let the meat stay in for not more than 5 minutes. If you don’t mind the crunch, let it stay in for 8-9 minutes.

Coat the air frying basket with some non-stick cooking spray. Place the chicken in and set the temperature to 350° F. Take it out after 4-5 minutes and enjoy!

How to Reheat Chicken Breast Without Overcooking

To prevent overcooking, monitor the time and temperature you leave the chicken breast for reheating.

Chicken breast can become rubbery and stiff if overcooked. To keep it from losing its delicious texture, ensure that you add enough moisture around it to keep it from drying. The moisture can be added in the form of water or sauces. 

How Long to Reheat Chicken Breast

Depending on the reheating method you use, the average time required for warming up chicken breast should be 8-9 minutes. If you’re using faster methods like the microwave or air fryer, stick to a maximum of 5-6 minutes.

What Temperature is Needed to Safely Reheat Chicken Breast

The external temperature should be anything between 350° F to 400° F and the internal temperature of the chicken around 165° F. Using a food thermometer will let you measure the internal temperature of the chicken breast correctly.

Chicken meat is the top choice for health-conscious non-vegetarians. Cooking it correctly brings out the luscious tenderness. If you follow the above-mentioned reheating methods properly, you’ll always have perfectly warmed chicken breast with the same soft, melting texture.

Sources:

LiveStrong.com

Cooking Chew

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