Reheat Chicken Parmesan Perfectly 

Chicken parmesan is a delicious Italian-American dish that typically consists of breaded chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. It’s a flavorful meal that can be enjoyed hot out of the oven or as leftovers later on. When reheating chicken parm, the goal is to keep the dish moist and prevent the chicken from drying out. With the right techniques, it’s easy to reheat chicken parmesan so it tastes just as good as the original.

Using the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and convenient way to reheat chicken parmesan. To retain moisture and prevent drying:

• Use a microwave-safe container with a lid. This traps steam and keeps the chicken tender.
• Add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to the dish before microwaving. The extra liquid creates steam which helps keep the chicken moist.
• Microwave at 50% power for 2-3 minutes. This more gradual heating prevents the edges of the chicken from overcooking.
• Allow the dish to rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. This lets the heat evenly distribute and finish cooking.

Stir or flip the chicken parm halfway through microwaving to promote even heating. Take care not to overcook it, as the microwave can quickly dry out and toughen chicken.

Using an Air Fryer

Air fryers use hot, circulating air to create a crispy, fried texture without all the oil. Follow these tips for reheating chicken parm in an air fryer:

• Cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This allows it to reheat more quickly.
• Arrange the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overcrowding.
• Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. This high heat will re-crisp the breading.
• Brush the chicken with a little oil or cooking spray first for an extra crispy crust.
• For a saucier parm, warm the tomato sauce in a bowl in the microwave while the chicken air fries. Toss or dip to coat when done.

The air fryer allows you to reheat chicken parm to be crispy on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Just be careful not to overcook it, as air fryers can dry out chicken quickly.

Using the Oven

The oven is ideal for evenly reheating a full tray of chicken parmesan without drying it out. Here’s how:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Use a rimmed baking sheet for easy transfer.
• Cover pan tightly with foil to retain moisture. Poke a few small slits for ventilation.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Check temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the minimum safe temperature is reached.
• Remove foil, then switch oven to broil. Cook 2-3 minutes more to re-crisp the cheese and breadcrumbs.
• Drizzle a little extra sauce over top when done for added flavor and juiciness.

The gradual oven heating cooks the chicken through without overdrying. Broiling at the end browns the topping for perfect texture.

Using a Steamer

A steamer uses moist heat to gently reheat chicken parmesan:

• Place chicken pieces in steamer basket in single layer. Overcrowding may cause uneven cooking.
• Fill water reservoir with water just below the basket. Bring to a simmer.
• Steam covered for 4-6 minutes until chicken is heated through. Check internal temperature.
• Transfer to plate and spoon tomato sauce over chicken. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
• Broil 2 minutes to melt cheese. Serve immediately.

Steaming ensures the chicken reheats evenly while retaining maximum moisture content. It avoids the drying effects of other appliances.

Tips

• For best results, reheat chicken parm within 3-4 days of preparing. Quality decreases over time.
• Slice or shred chicken into smaller pieces before reheating for faster, more even results.
• Stir sauce and add extra moisture like broth or water if the sauce seems dry.
• Don’t microwave metal pans or aluminum foil due to sparking risk. Use microwave-safe containers.
• Preheat ovens and air fryers fully before reheating to ensure proper crisping.

FAQs

Q: What is the best way to reheat chicken parmesan in the oven?

A: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 2-3 minutes more to re-crisp the breadcrumbs and cheese.

Q: How can I keep the chicken from drying out when reheating in the microwave?

A: Use a microwave-safe dish with a lid to trap steam. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth before heating. Microwave at 50% power for 2-4 minutes, until heated through. Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving. The steam and lower power helps keep the chicken moist.

Q: What temperature should I reheat chicken parmesan to?

A: Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when reheated. Use a food thermometer to take temperature in thickest part of chicken to ensure food safety.

Q: Can I reheat chicken parmesan in an air fryer?

A: Yes, air fryers work well. Cut chicken into smaller pieces and arrange in single layer in air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 4-6 minutes until hot, flipping halfway. Brush with oil for crisper crust.

Q: How do I reheat chicken parmesan without making the crust soggy?

A: Use a lower power, gradual reheating method like oven or microwave. If microwaving, keep lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape and prevent condensation from sogging crust. Broil after reheating if needed to recrisp the crust.

Recipes

Easy Stovetop Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 jar marinara sauce, warmed
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Dredge chicken cutlets in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko crumbs.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Pan fry cutlets 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Top chicken with sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minutes until cheese melts.

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 6 mini buns or rolls
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Pound chicken slices to 1/4 inch thickness. Bread with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
2. Pan fry in batches until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Place fried chicken on rolls. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella.
4. Broil 5 minutes until cheese melts.

Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 12 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
• 1 lb ground chicken, cooked
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. In a bowl mix chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, egg and Italian seasoning.
2. Stuff mixture into cooked pasta shells.
3. Pour marinara over shells and top with mozzarella.
4. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes until bubbly

Here are some specific model recommendations for reheating chicken parmesan:

Microwave:

1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor (1.2 cu. ft)
2. Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN966S Countertop (2.2 cu. ft)
3. Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL 1800W Microwave (1.7 cu. ft)
4. GE JES1656SRSS Microwave Oven (1.6 cu. ft)
5. Farberware FMO12AHTBKE Microwave Oven (1.2 cu. ft)

Air Fryer:

1. Cosori Air Fryer Max XL 5.8 Qt
2. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4 Qt)
3. Instant Vortex Plus 6 Qt Air Fryer
4. Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (3 lbs capacity)
5. Chefman TurboFry 3.5 Liter Air Fryer

Oven:

1. LG LDE4415ST Electric Double Oven Range
2. GE JB655SKSS 30″ Free-Standing Electric Range
3. Samsung NE59M6850SS Slide-In Electric Range
4. Frigidaire FFGF3054TS 30″ Gas Range
5. Whirlpool WFG550S0HZ 30″ Gas Range

Steamer:

1. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 4-Piece 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer Set
2. Oster Double Tiered Food Steamer
3. Aroma Housewares Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
4. Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer (5.5 Quart)
5. Rosewill BPA-Free, 3-Tier Stackable Bento Box Style Steamer

With the right techniques and appliances, reheating chicken parm can be simple and delicious. Pay attention to internal temperature and moisture levels, and enjoy your tasty leftover chicken parmesan.