How to Reheat Chicken Parmesan to Perfection

Chicken parmesan is a delicious Italian-American dish that typically consists of a breaded chicken cutlet topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese It’s a crowd favorite, but like many meals, leftovers are common Reheating chicken parmesan can be tricky because you want to avoid ending up with a dried-out or soggy mess.

You can make old chicken parmesan taste like you just cooked it again if you know how to do it right. This article will show you the best ways to reheat chicken parmesan so you can enjoy the tasty leftovers over and over.

Why Proper Reheating is Important for Chicken Parm

It’s easy to ruin the delicate balance of textures in chicken parmesan if you don’t reheat it right. When reheated, the breaded chicken cutlet needs to keep its crispy outside. Also, the sauce and cheese should be warm and melty, not dry.

If you simply microwave chicken parm, the breading can end up soggy and the cheese rubbery. While the oven can dry it out if you aren’t careful. Reheating this dish requires a bit of finesse to get it just right.

Oven Method

The oven is the best way to reheat chicken parm while retaining its texture and flavor. Here’s how to do it:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.

• Place the chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish. I like using a pie plate or small cake pan.

• Drizzle a small amount (about 1/2 tsp) of olive oil over the chicken parm. This prevents sticking and drying out.

• Loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil. This allows the cheese to melt without drying out.

• Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

• Remove foil and bake 2-3 more minutes to melt the cheese completely.

• Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

It gets nice and crunchy from the oven’s dry heat. Covering with foil prevents moisture loss. Letting it rest afterwards allows the cheese to set.

Air Fryer Method

Air fryers use rapid hot air to create a crispy exterior reminiscent of deep frying. This makes them fantastic for reheating breaded foods like chicken parm. Follow these simple steps:

• Preheat air fryer to 360°F.

• Place chicken parm in air fryer basket in a single layer.

• Reheat 5-7 minutes until hot and cheese melts.

• Check frequently to avoid burning.

The circulating hot air makes the breading ultra crispy without drying out the chicken. Just be careful not to overcook it. Air fryers work fast so keep an eye on it.

Stovetop Method

You can also reheat chicken parm on the stovetop if you don’t have an oven or air fryer available. Here’s how:

• Heat skillet over medium heat and add oil.

• Place chicken parm cheese-side up in skillet.

• Reduce heat to low-medium and cover pan with lid.

• Cook 3-5 minutes until warmed through.

The key is using low gentle heat to melt the cheese without burning the breading. Covering the pan traps heat to help melt the cheese faster.

Microwave Method

While the microwave isn’t ideal, you can reheat chicken parm this way in a pinch. Follow these steps:

• Place chicken parm on microwave-safe plate.

• Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.

• Microwave on medium 1-2 minutes.

• Check temperature and continue microwaving in 30 second increments if needed.

• Let rest 1-2 minutes before eating.

The plastic wrap or lid prevents moisture loss. Frequent checking ensures even heating without overcooking. Letting it rest afterwards improves texture.

Tips for Reheating Chicken Parm

• Let chicken parm cool completely before freezing for later use. Portion into freezer bags.

• Thaw frozen chicken parm overnight in the fridge before reheating.

• Use foil covering if oven reheating to prevent cheese drying out.

• Don’t crowd chicken in air fryer or oven. Single layer allows even heating.

• Always check temperature before serving. Chicken should reach 165°F internally.

• Let chicken parm rest 5 minutes after reheating for best texture.

Proper cooling, freezing, thawing and resting are just as key as the reheating method itself. Follow these tips for the very best results.

Get Creative with Leftover Chicken Parm

Leftover chicken parm doesn’t have to be boring. Try these fun ways to use it:

• Chicken parm sandwiches – delicious hot or cold!

• Baked chicken parm over pasta or zoodles.

• Chicken parm pizza – top dough or naan with sauce, chicken, more cheese.

• Chicken parm omelet or breakfast hash.

• Chicken parm salad topped with greens, tomato, avocado.

With just a little creativity, you can reinvent those leftovers into all new amazing meals. Chicken parmesan may be an Italian classic, but its versatility is endless.

Reheat with Confidence

As you can see, properly reheating leftover chicken parmesan is easy when you use the right method. Now that you know how to revive every last morsel into a delicious meal, you can cook up a big batch and enjoy it again later without any worries.

Follow these simple steps for oven, air fryer, stovetop or microwave reheating. Pay attention to temperature and texture. And finally, get creative repurposing those leftovers into entirely new dishes. Now you can reheat with total confidence for perfect chicken parm every time.