How To Reheat Chicken Tenders – I Test 4 Methods [Pics]

This article was updated on 18th September 2023 for clarity and to incorporate new insights.

I tested four different methods of reheating chicken tenders to see which ones worked best.

The best way to reheat chicken tenders is in the air fryer. Let the tenders come to room temperature before heating them for 4-5 minutes in a 375°F (190°C) air fryer. You can also use the oven, but put the chicken tenders on a wire rack to avoid a soggy bottom.

How I tested reheating chicken tenders

Last week I made a big batch of chicken tenders to enjoy with friends over dinner. In a shocking turn of events, I ended up with leftovers, so I left them in the fridge overnight.

The next day, I experimented with four different reheating methods including:

• Oven: Best if you don’t have an air fryer.
• Skillet: Lovely and crispy but can go greasy.
• Microwave: Worst results, avoid if possible.
• Air fryer: Best method overall.

Related: Egg Substitute For Breading

Reheating chicken tenders in the oven

Time: 10 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Remove your leftover tenders from the fridge and let them reach room temperature while the oven warms up.
3. Spread your chicken tenders out on a wire rack or a preheated baking sheet (preheat as the oven warms).
4. Heat for 10 minutes, turning halfway (not necessary if using a wire rack).
5. Optional: Crisp under the broiler for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or turn up the oven’s heat to 450°F (230°C) to finish them off.

Note: You can also use a toaster oven, but you’ll need to reduce the heating times slightly.

The high heat will keep your tenders’ coating crisp while also retaining their succulent insides (no one wants dry chicken). And using a baking tray will remove the risk of soggy bottoms.

This method works great for larger portions of tenders, but make sure you leave enough room between them for air to circulate.

Results: This is an excellent and reliable method for reheating chicken tenders, second only to the air fryer (if you have one). My chicken tenders were nice and crispy on the outside and deliciously moist and fresh on the inside. The oven also works well for chicken tenders served or stored in a sauce.

Reheating chicken tenders in a skillet

Time: 5 minutes (including oil heating time)
Rating: 8/10

1. Let your chicken tenders warm to room temperature (out of the fridge) before frying them.
2. Heat around an inch of oil to 350°F (180°C) in a skillet on medium-high heat.
3. Place chicken tenders carefully into the hot oil.
4. Heat for 60 seconds, flip, and then heat for a further 60 seconds.
5. Drain your tenders of excess oil on a piece of paper towel.
6. Serve immediately.

If you’re reheating large or chunky chicken tenders, pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds before frying to warm up their centers.

Your oil temperature is very important when using this reheating method (for any fried foods, really). Too hot, and you’ll burn your tenders. Too cold, and they’ll soak up oil and turn greasy.

Ideally, you’d use a cooking thermometer to test if your oil is hot enough (350°F/180°C). But if you don’t have one, you can use the breadcrumb test. Drop a breadcrumb into the oil, and if it sizzles immediately, it means your oil is ready for frying.

Psst… you can also use less oil, but the coating might not be as crispy.

Results: This method gave me the crispiest results, but the tenders were a little too greasy for my liking. However, my partner loved them, so it may be a question of preference. This is a great option if you’re experienced and adept at frying. If not, consider using an alternative method (it’s easy to get this wrong).

Reheating chicken tenders in the microwave

Time: 2 minutes
Rating: 4/10

1. Line a microwave-safe plate with a sheet of dry paper towel.
2. Spread your chicken tenders out on the plate.
3. Microwave the tenders in 30-second increments until piping hot, this should take around 2 minutes.
4. Optional: Crisp the coating of your chicken tenders under the broiler for a minute or two after heating in the microwave.

Lining your plate with a paper towel will soak up any excess grease that’s released from the tenders, making them less oily.

The longer you microwave the chicken tenders, the soggier the breadcrumbs will become. I’d take the tenders out as soon as they’re warm enough for you to avoid them becoming too soft.

Results: The results from the microwave were disappointing, and I wouldn’t recommend this method unless you have no other option. The chicken coating was soggy and unpleasant (although marginally saved by the broiler).

Reheating chicken tenders in an air fryer

Time: 4-5 minutes
Rating: 10/10

1. Let your chicken tenders reach room temperature out of the fridge (or zap them in the microwave for a few seconds).
2. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the tenders lightly with cooking oil.
3. Spread your tenders out in the fryer basket in a single layer.
4. Heat them for 4 to 5 minutes.

Make sure you don’t overcrowd the fryer basket because this will impede air circulation and prevent the tenders from crisping up.

Air frying is quite an intense and direct heating method. As a result, the outside of your tenders may feel very hot while the inside is still cool. To test if your chicken tenders are warmed all the way through, insert a fork and feel the metal when you pull it out. If it’s warm, the tenders are done.

Results: This was my favorite method, hands down. It’s quick and convenient and crisped up my chicken tenders perfectly, leaving them tasting almost as good as new. Sadly, not everyone has an air fryer!

How to store chicken tenders

Before storing your chicken tenders, allow them to cool to room temperature. Line an airtight container with a paper towel and place the tenders in the container, not touching. If they’re in a sauce, scrape off as much of it as possible. Chicken tenders will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Lining the container with a paper towel helps keep the tenders crisp because the paper will soak up any excess grease or moisture. Scraping off the sauce also helps keep the coating crunchy, if you leave the chicken resting in its sauce, the coating will very quickly become mushy.

Pro tip: Never store cooked food while it’s still hot. This will cause a build-up of condensation on the walls of the container that will turn your chicken soggy and unpleasant.

Can you freeze chicken tenders?

Chicken tenders are great for freezing and will last for up to 6 months. They should be flash-frozen individually first and then transferred into a freezer bag with the air removed (vacuum-sealed is even better). Always reheat chicken tenders directly from frozen. Thawing them will turn them soggy. 

How to freeze chicken tenders:

1. Allow your leftover chicken tenders to cool to room temperature.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread your leftover chicken tenders out on the baking tray.
3. Place them in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours or until they harden.
4. Transfer them into a heavy-duty freezer bag.
5. Remove the excess air with a straw and seal tightly (or vacuum seal the bag).
6. Use within six months of freezing.

If your chicken tenders are in a sauce of some kind, scrape off as much of it as possible before flash-freezing them.

The process of flash-freezing prevents the tenders from sticking together and makes it easy to access a single portion when you want to reheat them.

Removing air from your freeze bag helps to prevent premature freezer burn. A cool trick for removing excess air is to dunk the open freezer bag in a bowl of water. The water will force the air out, and you can seal the bag.

Related: How To Get Frozen Chicken Unstuck

How to reheat frozen chicken tenders

It’s best to reheat your chicken tenders directly from frozen to avoid the crumb coating turning mushy. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake them for 18 to 20 minutes or until they are crispy on the outside and warm in the center. Use a wire rack and coat them lightly with oil for extra crispiness.

Test your tenders with a fork or thermometer to ensure they’re warmed through.

You can also use an air fryer or fry the chicken tenders in some oil. A final option is the microwave, but I wouldn’t recommend this as it will turn your tenders soggy.

Read Next: What To Serve With Chicken Tenders

How To Reheat Chicken Tenders [Tested Methods]

Chicken tenders are easy to reheat, and in no time you’ll be enjoying their succulent centers and golden-crispy coatings.

I tried out four different reheating methods to see which ones worked best!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken tenders, how to reheat chicken tenders

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 299kcal

Equipment

• Wire rack

Ingredients

• 1 portion chicken tenders

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Remove your leftover tenders from the fridge and let them reach room temperature while the oven warms up.
• Spread your chicken tenders out on a wire rack or a preheated baking sheet (preheat as the oven warms).
• Heat for 10 minutes, turning halfway (not necessary if using a wire rack).
• Optional: Crisp under the broiler for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or turn up the oven’s heat to 450°F (230°C) to finish them off.

Notes

Taking your tenders out of the fridge before warming them up will allow them to reheat more evenly.

Pop them in a toaster oven instead of a regular oven if you’re in a hurry but keep an eye to make sure you don’t scorch them (same goes for the broiler!)

This method works great for larger portions of tenders, but ensure you leave enough room between them for air to circulate.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 299kcal