Chick-fil-A nuggets are a popular fast food item that are delicious when fresh and hot. But leftover or cold nuggets aren’t nearly as tasty. Thankfully, there are several easy methods to reheat Chick-fil-A nuggets and restore them to their original warmth and crispiness.
Reheating Chick-fil-A Nuggets in the Oven
The oven provides an easy, hands-off way to evenly reheat nuggets.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Arrange the cold nuggets in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they aren’t touching each other.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through. They should be hot and crispy when done.
- For spicy nuggets or nuggets with a breaded coating, shorten the cooking time to 5-7 minutes to avoid burning.
- You can reuse a Chick-fil-A box to hold the nuggets and catch any crumbs.
Reheating with the Microwave
The microwave provides a quick way to reheat your nuggets.
- Place the cold nuggets on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.
- Microwave on high power for 60-90 seconds. The timing will depend on your microwave wattage and amount of nuggets.
- Check frequently and rotate the plate every 30 seconds to make sure they heat evenly. Don’t over microwave or they will dry out.
- Let the nuggets sit for 1 minute after microwaving so the inside can finish heating.
Reheating in an Air Fryer
An air fryer makes Chick-fil-A nuggets crispy and delicious.
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
- Place the nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Air fry for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They should come out hot and crispy.
- For spicy or breaded nuggets, reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes to avoid burning.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding if needed.
Tips
- Always check nuggets for hot temperatures before eating to avoid burns.
- For best results, reheat within 2-3 days of purchasing. Quality declines over time.
- Frozen nuggets can also be reheated using these methods. Just add 1-2 minutes to the cooking times.
- These reheating methods work great for Chick-fil-A chicken minis and strips too. Adjust cook times as needed.
- Always check internal temperature using a food thermometer for food safety.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, checking frequently to prevent overheating.
- When microwaving, let nuggets sit for 1 minute after heating to allow heat to evenly distribute.
- To reheat frozen nuggets, add 1-2 extra minutes to cooking times.
- For spicy or specialty coated nuggets, reduce cook times slightly to avoid burning.
Q&A
Q: How long can I store leftover Chick-fil-A nuggets before reheating them?
A: For best quality and safety, leftover nuggets should be refrigerated and reheated within 2-3 days. The breaded coating will start to degrade in quality if stored longer.
Q: Should I reheat Chick-fil-A nuggets in their original box?
A: No, it’s best to remove them from the box and place in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate, baking sheet, or air fryer basket. This allows for even heating. The box may also contain plastic or other materials not suitable for heating.
Q: What temperature should I reheat Chick-fil-A nuggets to?
A: Reheat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures any bacteria are killed and the nuggets are hot and safe to eat.
Q: How can I get the crispiest results when reheating in the oven?
A: Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the nuggets for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The high heat will help crisp the outside breading.
Recipes
Crispy Oven-Baked Nuggets
Ingredients:
- Leftover Chick-fil-A nuggets
- Parchment paper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange nuggets in a single layer on the sheet.
- Bake 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove once crispy and hot, about 165°F internally.
Microwave Melt
Ingredients:
- Leftover nuggets
- Shredded cheese
- Ranch or chipotle mayo
Instructions:
- Place nuggets on a microwave-safe plate.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Microwave on high 60-90 seconds until hot and melty.
- Drizzle with ranch or chipotle mayo.
Sweet & Spicy Air Fryer Nuggets
Ingredients:
- Leftover nuggets
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Toss nuggets with spices and brown sugar.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Air fry at 370°F for 4-5 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Sprinkle any leftover spice mix on top before serving.
Here are some specific model recommendations for reheating Chick-fil-A nuggets:
Ovens
- GE JT5000SFSS: 30-inch electric single wall oven with convection cooking for even heating.
- Bosch HBL5751UC: 30-inch electric double wall oven with self-cleaning mode.
- LG LDE4415ST: 30-inch electric double wall oven with EasyClean® coating for simple cleaning.
- Frigidaire FFET3026LS: 30-inch electric single wall oven with ready-select controls.
- Whirlpool WOS31ES7JS: 30-inch electric single wall oven with steam clean option.
Microwaves
- Toshiba EM131A5C-BS: 1.2 cu. ft. microwave with smart sensor and preset cook buttons.
- Panasonic NN-SN686S: 1.2 cu. ft. inverter microwave with genius sensor cooking.
- GE JES1097SMSS: 1.1 cu. ft. microwave with auto and time defrost.
- Cuisinart CMW-200: 1.2 cu. ft. microwave with touchpad controls and integrated rack.
- Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL: 1.1 cu. ft. brushed stainless steel microwave with 10 power levels.
Air Fryers
- Cosori CP158-AF: 5.8 qt. air fryer with 11 one-touch cooking functions.
- Ninja AF101: 4 qt. air fryer with 4-quart ceramic coated basket.
- Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1: 6 quart basket with customizable programming.
- Philips XXL Airfryer: 3lb capacity with fat removal technology.
- Chefman 6.3 Quart Digital: Touch screen and oscillating rack for even frying.
Reheating leftover Chick-fil-A nuggets is easy with the right technique. Now you can enjoy hot, crispy nuggets again without having to make a restaurant trip.
