How to Reheat chicken in microwave? The best way to reheat chicken is to start with the chicken being at room temperature, then place it on a microwave safe plate. Microwave it for 2 minutes per pound, keep an eye on the doneness by flipping the chicken piece, rotating the plate in the microwave and continue reheating for 30 seconds intervals. Keep testing the internal temperature of the chicken piece until it reaches 165°F.
Microwaves have been the go to appliance when it comes to heating and defrosting cold or frozen food respectively specially the chicken leftovers that are placed in the fridge after the meal. With microwave technology it is now very easy and fast to reheat a piece of chicken within minutes and have it ready on your lunch or dinner table to enjoy with your family.
In this article we will be explaining everything related to how to reheat chicken in microwave, and the pros and cons of using a microwave to reheat chicken and whether it is safe to use a microwave for that purpose. Also we will be covering the best ways to reheat chicken and how to store it after it has been reheated, so grab your cup of coffee and continue reading.
Can you reheat chicken in the microwave?
Yes you can reheat chicken in microwave. What you need to do is keep an eye on the time and temperature because overcoming it might cause the chicken to dry out.
To stay on the safe side, you should not reheat the chicken more than once regardless of how it was cooked initially. This will avoid the growth of bacteria. It is better to consume chicken in one setting as the second reheating might not be safe.
How to reheat chicken in the microwave
There are few simple steps that you can follow to reheat chicken in the microwave easily and effectively.
- Have the chicken cut into smaller pieces to insure temperature reaches all sides of the chicken.
- Once the pieces are small in size, place them in a microwave safe plate.
- Cover the plate with a damp paper towel
- Microwave it for about 2 minutes or until it is fully heated by monitoring the chicken temperature at intervals of 30 seconds.
Reheating Chicken in The Oven
Reheating chicken in the oven is another option that can be used. There are few easy steps that can be followed:
- Defrost the chicken if it is frozen.
- Cut the chicken into small pieces.
- Place the chicken in the oven safe plate and spread them out.
- Preheat the oven to around 325 degrees fahrenheit
- Once the oven is preheated, place the chicken in the oven and reheat the chicken to 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check if the temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.
How long does it take to reheat chicken in the microwave?
Normally it takes 2 minutes to heat one pound of chicken in the microwave if the plate is covered. Also you can check if the chicken temperature is reached by inserting a thermometer in the pieces of chicken. It is recommended to turn the chicken pieces over every 30 seconds to speed up the heating process and avoid exposure to hotspots. The optimal temperature for a reheated chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to store cooked chicken?
The cooked chicken should be cooled down before putting it in the fridge, and it should be wrapped well within two hours of it being cooked. Cooked chicken should be consumed 3 to 4 days at max after it is placed in the refrigerator.
Cooked chicken can be preserved for longer periods such as 2 to 5 months. put the cooked chicken in a freezer wrap and place the wrap in the freezer.
Is it safe to reheat chicken in the microwave?
If we look at what the U.S. Department of Agriculture says about safety and the storing of the food, chicken food must be refrigerated or frozen two hours max after cooking to consider it safe to reheat. If the cooked chicken is left out for a longer period of time, the chances of grown food borne bacteria can increase.
Best way to reheat chicken in the microwave
Reheating chicken in the microwave can be done in many ways but the best and most effective way to reheat chicken is by cutting the chicken pieces into small pieces and spreading them out in the microwave safe plate by placing the smaller pieces in the middle and the bigger pieces all around in the plate.
To avoid the chicken being dry, add a tablespoon of water to the microwave safe plate or add some olive oil to keep the chicken moist. Also check the doneness of the chicken after the first 2 minutes, if the internal temperature of the chicken is not at the 165°F point then flip the chicken so that it is reheated evenly from all sides and continue reheating for 30 second intervals until the required temperature is reached.
This way will guarantee a faster reheating of the chicken in a microwave in an easy and safe way which will avoid any food poisoning and illness .
Reheat Chicken in Microwave: Final Thoughts
To recap on what we have covered above in the article about reheating chicken in the microwave. Chicken breast can be reheated in the microwave quickly and easily without being dried out if the above tips have been followed correctly and precisely.
Chicken must not be overheated as a long reheating time will cause the chicken to overcook, become chewy and dry out. Always reheat the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit according to the FDA safe handling procedures. Rotate and flip the chicken regularly every 30 to 60 seconds to ensure an even temperature throughout the previously cooked chicken.
So follow these tips accurately to reheat chicken in microwave and you shall see great results everytime.