Many families love to eat fried chicken, and KFC is a favorite among all ages. After such gatherings, things like the buckets often have several pieces sitting in the bottom, and you may wonder, how long is KFC good for? This can lead you to more questions of how long does KFC last for in the fridge, and ultimately, to have a snack later, can you freeze leftover KFC chicken?
First, no food should be left at room temperature for an extended period. So does KFC chicken last? It will last the same time as other foods, which is around two hours before it spoils.
Keeping chicken in the fridge in an airtight container is the best option if you eat Chicken from KFC within a day or two. Other than that, you can freeze leftover chicken as long as you follow the steps provided.
In our guide, you can learn more about the best ways to keep leftover chicken. By the end, you’ll know the full answer to can you freeze Kentucky fried chicken, and how do you reheat it to make it perfectly safe for eating? (Read Can You Freeze Tequila)
Can I Freeze and Reheat KFC Chicken?
The best answer to can you freeze KFC chicken in 2023 is as follows. Yes, you can freeze and reheat KFC chicken. However, the texture and taste may be slightly different after being frozen and reheated.
To freeze KFC chicken, keep it covered the same way you would cooked chicken, then place it in the freezer. You can place the chicken in the oven or microwave to reheat the chicken. Just ensure it is heated through to a safe internal temperature to prevent the risk of food poisoning.
You can freeze KFC chicken for up to 2-3 months and reheat it when ready to enjoy the freshly cooked chicken. To freeze KFC chicken, be sure to store it in an airtight container or wrap it in foil or plastic wrap. When you are ready to eat the frozen KFC chicken, be sure to reheat it to a safe internal temperature of at least 165°F to prevent the risk of food poisoning.
If you prefer to refrigerate your KFC chicken instead of freezing it, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Just be sure to properly reheat the chicken before eating it.
It is essential to properly store and reheat KFC chicken to ensure its safety and maintain its quality. Follow these tips to enjoy your KFC chicken to the fullest.
Step-By-Step For Freezing KFC Chicken
Here are some leftover fried chicken freezing tips to keep in mind. Your chicken from KFC can stay frozen for more than a month if you do it correctly.
1. Let KFC Cool Completely
Cooling the chicken dishes properly is the first stage in freezing KFC. Put the chicken pieces in the refrigerator compartment to cool, and they’ll stay juicy and crispy without becoming soggy.
2. Act Quickly to Refrigerate KFC
When you wish to freeze chicken and keep KFC chicken good, you must move quickly because it is meat, and bacteria will grow quickly. If left out for a long time, KFC chicken may get contaminated. After you’ve finished eating, place leftover KFC on a plate and chill it along with your KFC gravy.
3. Use Freezer Safe Airtight Container
Put the chicken pieces in airtight containers or bags after you are confident they are completely cool. The chicken will stay juicy and delectable like the first time, thanks to airtight freezing, which will keep the freshness locked in. (Learn How Long Does Impossible Meat Last In Freezer)
4. Keep Chicken from KFC in a Separate Container
You run the danger of infection if you store KFC alongside anything else. Ensure you save KFC inside a freezer bag or covered airtight containers to keep it perfectly safe.
Can I Freeze KFC Chicken, and What To Do?
How to make your leftover KFC chicken stay fresh for up to three months? You’ll find it safe to freeze in an airtight container, Ziploc bag, or freezer wrap, as this helps prevent freezer burn.
To ensure your KFC chicken stays fresh, properly freezing KFC means any container must be completely sealed. Reheat chicken once chicken from KFC, freeze it once, and reheat it, as doing it more than this can cause food sickness.
Best Ways For Reheating KFC Chicken?
Chances are, to keep KFC chicken good to eat, you’ll have followed the storage tips and have your leftover chicken in the fridge, or you have frozen your cooked chicken.
Now, you’ll want to know how to get the best-reheated chicken. The ultimate way to keep the crispy texture of your KFC chicken breading is to reheat KFC chicken in your air fryer.
The steps to reheat fried chicken in an air fryer are as follows:
- In the air fryer basket, place the chicken.
- Spray the skin of the chicken with extra virgin olive oil.
- Air fry to reheat KFC chicken for 16 minutes at 350 °F
- If the chicken is still warm enough to consume, insert a knife into the thickest area of the bird.
- After a short while, remove the knife and touch it to check if it’s hot.
- The chicken is at the optimum temperature if the blade is hot; otherwise, air-fried it for a few more minutes.
The oven is the next best method to reheat KFC chicken if you don’t have an air fryer.
Set your oven to 350°F and reheat leftover frozen KFC chicken for around 25 to 30 minutes, checking occasionally.
Is KFC Chicken Fresh or Frozen?
Every KFC store receives chilled fresh chicken, so if you order too much, you can keep KFC chicken frozen as it is safe to freeze or keep it in the fridge. How to defrost frozen KFC is another technique to be aware of. It would help if you didn’t immediately place it in a skillet or other container to reheat it.
Instead, after removing the chicken from the freezer, place the chicken in your Ziploc bag or airtight container in the fridge for around 8 to 10 hours. You won’t get food poisoning from eating frozen chicken when you reheat fully defrosted KFC leftovers and wings since the spices’ flavor, and taste won’t be lost.
How to Reheat Fried Chicken?
Reheating frozen food items can be done in various ways, and keeping Frozen KFC juicy, crispy, and tender is the aim when you reheat KFC. We have already seen you can air fry your KFC back to goodness, so here are some alternative reheating methods you can use.
1. Reheat KFC in Deep Fryer
To deep-fry your KFC chicken, first allow it to fully defrost. Then, heat the oil in a pan to a medium-hot oil and carefully add a few KFC pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook the chicken until it is crispy, then repeat the process with the remaining pieces of chicken.
Monitor the temperature of the oil to ensure that the chicken is cooked to perfection. If you don’t have a deep fryer, you can use a dutch oven filled with oil, although you need to manually check the oil temp.
2. Reheat Cooked Chicken in a Grill Oven
Frozen KFC may also be cooked in a grill oven. Place your fully defrosted chicken on the oven’s preheated grill.
Let the chicken grill for a few minutes; brush oil on the pieces for optimal results.
3. Heat In Your Microwave Oven
Another application for a microwave oven is to reheat frozen KFC. According to the manufacturer’s directions, reheat the chicken pieces in the microwave. (Read Can You Freeze Homemade Chicken Salad)
FAQs
Can you freeze and reheat fried chicken?
The correct thawing and reheating procedure must be followed if you want the fried chicken to be as crispy as when it was first cooked.
Remove as much air as possible from your bag or container before placing your fried chicken in the air fryer to keep it fresh for four months in the freezer.
Can KFC chicken be frozen?
You might be surprised to learn that KFC freezes well and reheats deliciously. You can freeze KFC takeout in the freezer and enjoy it another day; whether you love popcorn chicken or deep-fried chicken wings, you can keep these at home for the best TV snacks possible.
Conclusion
It is okay to use frozen chicken again because it is entirely free of bacteria. It is practical to store frozen fried chicken in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to eat again, defrost the frozen chicken, then reheat chicken as directed. Just place chicken in any of the reheating methods, and you can enjoy the excellent KFC takeaway you have left over.
