Do you know the best way to microwave McDonald’s chicken nuggets so that they are hot, crispy and delicious? If you learn how to microwave McDonald’s the right way, then there is no need to throw away leftover nuggets.
Confidently step up to a plate of steaming hot and crunchy McNuggets when you save them to eat for a quick snack the next day. Successfully reheat crispy chicken McNuggets in the microwave without drying.
For best result to reheat McNuggets in the microwave, use a microwave crisper pan. Heat the pan in the microwave for 4 minutes, and then add the McNuggets.
Reheat for about 1 minute, then flip the nuggets over and continue for another minute. Allow the nuggets to rest for 1 minute so that the internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C.
Microwaving chicken dishes can be tricky because the meat dries out quickly. Ultimately, proper reheating depends on how the nuggets are stored prior to microwaving.
If the chicken pieces are refrigerated within 2 hours, then there should be no concern. But, is the microwave the best method to reheat McNuggets?
Can you microwave chicken nuggets?
The microwave is a quick and easy solution to reheat McDonald’s chicken nuggets, especially on a busy day.
According to the USDA temperature danger zone guidelines, chicken is considered a perishable food items that needs to be refrigerated or frozen within 2 hours.
First and foremost, make sure to store the chicken nuggets in a shallow airtight container or wrap tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap; try to avoid using original box because it is not airtight.
Microwaves don’t really penetrate thick pieces of food very well, which typically results in uneven heating. However, chicken nuggets are suitable for reheating in a microwave because they are generally 1 to 1½ inches thick.
When properly stored in the refrigerator or freezer, McNuggets should be eaten within 1 or 2 days to maintain quality and freshness.
The USDA safe handling procedures considers chicken nuggets to be a perishable food item that should not sit out at room temperature for longer that 4 hours. So if you accidentally left the nuggets from McDonald’s out on the counter overnight, then you don’t want to reheat and eat them the next day.
Is it safe to microwave McDonald’s chicken nuggets?
Use the microwave safe tools and follow the time-temperature guidelines to microwave McDonald’s chicken nuggets to keep safe. Also, avoid using the original paper box to reheat nuggets because the grease-resistant coating is not microwave safe and can leach onto food.
If the nuggets have been refrigerated, then let them sit out for a couple of minutes so they adjust to room temperature before putting in microwave. It’s better to nuke from room temp rather than from cold.
Always use a microwave-safe plate, and add a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture that is caused while heating up. When placing in microwave, never stack on top of each other and evenly space apart because the heat will not fully distribute.
But if you are concerned about uneven internal temperatures, there is a way to evenly distribute the heat for each nugget when you reheat them in the microwave. Make sure to rest the chicken nuggets afterwards to ensure the heat is evenly distributed throughout the inside of the meat.
How long do you microwave McDonald’s chicken nuggets?
Depending if you stored them in the fridge or freezer, will ultimately determine how long to microwave McDonald’s chicken nuggets.
For McNuggets stored in the refrigerator, allow them to sit out for 10 minutes. Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm, but be careful not to overcook or it’ll dry out.
For McNuggets stored in the freezer, use the microwave defrost setting for two minutes at a time. Then, reheat in 30 second increments until warm throughout but not overcooked.
Another factor you need to be aware is how many chicken nuggets are you reheating at one time. On the high power setting, microwave:
- 5 nuggets for 1 to 1½ minutes
- 10 nuggets for 2 to 2½ minutes
- 15 nuggets for 2 ½ to 3 minutes total.
For best results, microwave in 30 second increments and allow the McNuggets to rest for 1 minute before eating. For safe food handling, it’s recommended to reheat chicken nuggets to an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.
How to microwave McDonald’s chicken nuggets?
In order to microwave McNuggets, you need to use a microwave-safe plate. Lay the McDonal’d chicken nuggets flat in a single layer, so the size of the plate depends on the amount of nuggets you’re reheating.
Place the plate in the microwave and adjust the reheat time you need based on the amount of pieces. Give an additional 30 seconds to find the desired warmth.
When they are perfect temperature, take nuggets out and transfer into a serving place using tongs and not by fingers because the outside layer will be extremely hot. Let them rest for up to two minutes before eating.
For best results, I recommend using a microwave crisper pan to reheat McDonald’s McNuggets. Heat the nonstick tray in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes, then reheat in 30 second increments for a crispy bread coating with moist and tender chicken meat inside.
Thing to know before microwaving McDonald’s chicken nuggets
When reheating McDonald’s chicken nuggets, there are a few key points and things you need to know to reheat McNuggets so that they hot, crispy and delicious.
- Bring to room temperature for at least 10 minutes before reheating.
- Don’t stack them on top of each other because it can cause uneven temperature. Go with plate that is large enough to place them in a single layer.
- Use parchment paper or a paper towel line plate. Parchment cooking bags are perfect to reheat, simply fold the open edge twice and make the magic happen!
- To make McNuggets extra crispy, reheat McNuggets on a microwave crisper pan to avoid soggy breading that may stick to the plate.
- Use 30 second time increments and flip the nuggets over after each interval.
- Reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.
- Allow the nuggets to rest for at least one minute before consuming.
- When removing the plate from the microwave, it may be super hot. Use the mitten or towel to avoid burning hands.
Before reheating McDonald’s chicken nuggets, check for any signs of spoilage. If you see any signs of frost, you can still eat them but they may be slight red out and not taste as great.
To get the best taste, use these reheating tips and add paper towel underneath the nuggets so that they stay juicy and tender with a crispy coating.
