How to Reheat Chicken on the Bone

Chicken on the bone comes in several forms, whether a wing, thigh, or leg. And if you have some leftovers from your evening meal, you might wonder if it’s safe to preserve and reheat chicken on the bone. Well… It is!  

To reheat chicken on the bone, the best option would be to use the microwave. It’s quick and easy. You can also reheat it in the oven or an air fryer.

How to Reheat Chicken on the Bone

Reheating chicken on the bone isn’t any different from reheating any other type of chicken. The main thing you need to think about is how you want your chicken to turn out. 

You will also need to ensure that you reheat your chicken on the bone until it is at least 75C or 165F. When checking the temperature, try to get the probe close to the bone, as this area will take the longest to warm through.

The good news is that there are 3 ways to reheat chicken that’s still on the bone. Let’s take a look at each of the reheating methods in detail now:

How to Reheat Chicken on the Bone in the Microwave

The easiest and quickest way to reheat chicken on the bone is in the microwave. There is a risk that the chicken will dry out when using the microwave to reheat it, but there are some precautionary steps you can take to prevent this.

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Prepare Chicken
   Place your chicken in a microwave-safe dish. If it comes with a soup or sauce, cover the meat with it. If not, add a splash of water to your meat to ensure it doesn’t dry out. 
2. Cover
   Wrap the microwave-safe dish in cling film and place your chicken in the microwave. 
3. Reheat
   On full power, reheat your chicken on the bone for 2-3 minutes before removing it to check the temperature. 
4. Check the Temperature
   Your chicken on the bone will only be safe to serve when it’s at least 75C or 165F. If it’s not quite up to temperature, return it to the microwave in thirty-second blasts. 
5. Serve and Enjoy
   Your reheated chicken on the bone is now done and safe to enjoy. 

How to Reheat Chicken on the Bone in the Oven

If you’re not in a hurry, consider reheating your chicken on the bone in the oven. This will produce some of the best results simply by following the steps below: 

1. Preheat Oven
   Switch on your oven and preheat to 350F or 175C.
2. Prepare Chicken
   Place your chicken on the bone in a casserole dish. Again, if it comes with a sauce or soup, drench the chicken to ensure it will be nice and moist. If you’re reheating breaded chicken, you can skip this step.

3. Cover
   Place the lid on your casserole dish or cover it with tin foil if you don’t have one. 
4. Reheat
   Add your chicken to the oven and reheat it for 20 to 25 minutes. 
5. Check the Temperature
   Your chicken on the bone will only be safe to serve when it’s at least 75C or 165F. If it’s not quite up to temperature, return it to the oven and reheat it for a further five minutes or so. 
6. Serve and Enjoy
   Serve your chicken with veggies and freshly prepared potatoes or as it is if in a sauce such as coq au vin.

How to Reheat Chicken on the Bone in the Air Fryer

If you want your chicken on the bone to be crispy and tender, you can reheat it in the air fryer. Here’s how to go about it: 

1. Switch on Air Fryer
   Turn your air fryer on and preheat to 350F or 175C. 
2. Add Chicken to the Basket
   Place your chicken on the bone in the basket of the air fryer and affix it within the fryer. 
3. Reheat
   Leave your chicken in the air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes. 
4. Check the Temperature
   As always, your chicken will only be safe to serve when it’s at least 75C or 165F. If it’s not quite up to temperature, return it to the air fryer and reheat it for a further two minutes or so. 
5. Serve and Enjoy
   Your reheated chicken will now be crispy and ready to enjoy.

How to Reheat Chicken on the Bone Successfully

If you want things to go your way when reheating chicken on the bone then make sure you read and follow our 3 top tips below:

• Only Reheat Once – You should only ever reheat chicken once, regardless of the reheating method you opt for. Not only will the chicken dry out, but it will also go bad if you reheat it more than once, so it’s best to avoid doing so. 
• Store Chicken Safely – If you’re planning to reheat the chicken, you need to wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge or freezer as soon as it has cooled. Chicken that has been sitting out at room temperature is not safe to reheat. 
• Always Check the Temperature – It’s important to check the internal temperature of your reheated chicken before serving it. It must be at least 75C or 165F before serving safely.

Is It Safe to Reheat Chicken on the Bone?

Yes, providing you store it correctly in the fridge or freezer and check its internal temperature, it’s perfectly safe to reheat chicken on the bone once if you follow the detailed steps listed above.

We must reiterate, however, that you can only reheat it once. Do not try to reheat it over and over again as there is an increased risk of it making you sick.

Reheating Chicken on the Bone FAQs

Do you have more questions about reheating chicken that’s on the bone? Then check these FAQs out: