Wondering how to reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer? Leftover chicken is usually not something that deserves a second chance. But if you’re looking for an easy way to reheat your leftover thighs and make them just as good as the first time, the air fryer is the perfect choice!

Reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer for moist, tender meat
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Heating up chicken thigh leftovers you prepared for dinner the previous night can be a tricky task. There are many ways to do it, but if your goal is moist and tender chicken with crispy edges, then there’s only one way that will work– the air fryer!

While most of us might reach for the microwave, the air fryer is a perfect way to get the same quality, texture, and flavor that you had right after cooking the thighs the first time! Whether your chicken thighs are homemade or from a restaurant, you can reheat them right in the air fryer– it’s amazingly simple and they’ll turn out delicious!

Why Should You Reheat Chicken Thighs in The Air Fryer?

While you can reheat chicken thighs in either the microwave or in the oven, I find that you get a better, more evenly reheated thigh by using the air fryer. Here are some reasons why you will never reheat chicken thighs any other way:

  • Fast! It doesn’t take long to reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer. Usually, it only takes a few minutes to heat the chicken through.
  • Easy! Foolproof– there is nothing to do but set the time and temperature, and the chicken thighs come out perfect every time!
  • Delicious! The skin gets nice and crispy, and the meat stays juicy.

How To Reheat Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer in 2 Steps

To reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer, set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for eight minutes.

Whether you’re reheating leftover chicken thighs from a meal cooked earlier in the week or cooking frozen chicken thighs, the air fryer is an excellent way to heat them up quickly and evenly.

It only takes two quick steps to reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer. Here’s how to do it:

  • First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other. Cook for eight minutes, flipping once halfway through. Once heated through, remove from the air fryer and enjoy!

What Type Of Chicken Thighs Can I Reheat in The Air Fryer?

An air fryer is an easy way to reheat any type of chicken thigh, including skin on, skin off, bone-in, and boneless pieces. You can also use it to reheat chicken thighs covered in sauce. In addition, the air fryer is also a great choice to rewarm other parts of the chicken like wings or breasts! 

With an air fryer, you can easily reheat many types of chicken, such as:

  • Fried Chicken Thighs: Have leftovers from your favorite fast food fried chicken place, such as  KFC? If so, use your air fryer to reheat them quickly and keep them crispy!
  • Marinated Chicken Thighs: Have some cooked marinated chicken thighs? Toss them into the air fryer to quickly reheat. You can even add more sauce or marinade to keep the flavor fresh and delicious!
  • Grilled Chicken Thighs: Made some BBQ chicken thighs last night and want the leftovers for dinner the next day? Add the meat to the air fryer and in a few minutes, you can enjoy that BBQ flavor again.
You can reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer if they have skin or are skinless.

4 Tips on How to Reheat Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

Whether you have leftover cooked chicken thighs from a meal or store-bought rotisserie chicken, reheating them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them hot and crispy. Here are a few tips to get the best results:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the chicken. This will help to ensure that your chicken reheats evenly.
  • If your chicken thighs are skin-on, you may want to lightly brush them with oil before air frying. This will help to crisp up the skin.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You may need to reheat the chicken in batches if it doesn’t fit without the pieces touching.
  • Reheat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is hot and crispy. Serve immediately.

How to Store Chicken Thighs

Leftover chicken can last for a few days in the refrigerator. However, you should never forget that it’s best to freeze your leftovers if you do not plan on eating them within a few days.

Refrigerator: Let your chicken cool to room temperature and then place it into an airtight container. You should consume the chicken within 2 to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze leftover chicken by letting it cool to room temperature first. Then, place it into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. It will last in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

Reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer to enjoy leftovers that are just as good as the previous night.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Reheat Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

How to reheat leftover chicken thighs?

You can reheat leftover chicken thighs in the oven, microwave, or air fryer. I personally recommend an air fryer because it keeps the inside of the chicken tender and moist while ensuring the outside is crispy.

Can I reheat frozen chicken thighs in an air fryer?

Yes! You can either reheat thawed chicken thighs or frozen chicken thighs. Make sure that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing the chicken thighs from the air fryer!

What is the best way to reheat chicken thighs?

Whether you cooked a little too much chicken or just want to have leftovers for lunch the next day, reheating chicken thighs can be a bit of a challenge. I have never had much success with reheating chicken in the microwave– it always comes out rubbery and tough. 

When I got my air fryer, I found it was perfect for reheating chicken leftovers. The oven also works well, but who wants to wait for the oven to preheat? The air fryer is fast and amazing!

How long to reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer?

It doesn’t take long to reheat chicken thighs in an air fryer. I have found that depending on the cut of chicken and the batter used, the average time is about 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees F when the air fryer is preheated. If your chicken doesn’t cook after 10 minutes, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time until it’s heated through!

How do you reheat leftover chicken without drying it out?

To reheat leftover chicken without drying it out, lightly brush it with a little bit of oil first. This will also help the skin crisp up in the air fryer.

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Do you love chicken but are tired of the same old recipes? Then you need to check out these air fryer chicken recipes! They are all delicious and low in calories, making them perfect for any diet. So what are you waiting for? Start cooking!

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Reheating Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

Reheating Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer

4.67 from 6 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Reheat Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer — Leftover chicken is usually not something that deserves a second chance. But if you're looking for an easy way to reheat your leftover thighs, and make them just as good as the first time, the air fryer is the perfect way to reheat them!

Ingredients 

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons BBQ sauce, optional
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning, optional

Instructions

  • First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching each other. Cook for eight minutes, flipping once halfway through. Once heated through, remove from the air fryer and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 18gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 113mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 115IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

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