Are you crazy for tasty and tender chicken leg pieces? We all are on the same page with this matter.
It is hard to resist our cravings when thinking about hot and juicy chicken leg leftovers. For that reason, we need to know how toreheat chicken leg in the microwaveoven to get the job done quickly.
How do you reheat chicken leg in the microwave? Place cooked chicken leg on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle a tablespoon of water or olive oil and cover the plate with lid or wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes, flip the chicken on the other side and continue reheating for another minute.
Use meat thermometer and check that the thickest part of chicken leg reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius to be safe to eat.
Chicken has a very special place in our heart. It works in so many recipes and as the main component to many dishes. Whether leg meat is shredded or still on the bone, microwaving is the easiest and quickest way to reheat chicken for your healthy diet.
Microwave also plays an essential role to defrost chicken leg to serve hot and juicy chicken leg at anytime. If the cooked chicken leg is frozen, then it is best to fully thaw and then proceed to reheating.
Many people do not know how to reheat chicken leg pieces properly in the microwave. So, it is necessary to understand the process if you want to enjoy your juicy and delicious chicken leg pieces all over again.
In this article, we will cover safe ways to reheat chicken leg and how to store them for next time. For reference, frequently asked questions about reheating chicken legs in the microwave are answered in great detail.
Can you reheat chicken leg in microwave?
Yes, microwave is easy and safe way to reheat chicken leg. Use a microwave-safe bowl or plate, cover with a lid and nuke for 1 minute intervals until the internal temperature reaches 74°C or 165°F.
As a result, you need to know how to do it perfectly. It is best to cover the leg meat with a microwave cover rather than wrapping it with food-grade plastic wrap or using Styrofoam takeout boxes.
Before putting it into the microwave oven, all you need to do is making a hole in the plastic wrap for proper ventilation to allow steam to escape. After that, place it in the microwave oven and reheat it for a few minutes with a splash or water or oil to retain its moisture while microwaving.
Above all, a microwave oven is the best place if you want to reheat chicken leg with worry free ease.
If you are heating more than one leg piece, position the larger pieces on the outside of the dish and smaller pieces in the center for even heat distribution while reheating.
Is it safe to reheat chicken leg in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to reheat chicken leg in the microwave if proper food safety guidelines are applied.
First and foremost, the chicken mush be handled with adherence to the temperature danger zone guidelines of 40°F to 140°F; and the chicken must not remain in the danger zone for longer than 2 hours.
Secondly, perishable food must be safely reheated to an internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F.
It is not at all dangerous to reheat previously cooked chicken leg pieces, however it should only be reheated once after cooking instead of multiple times. Reheating chicken many times results drying out, toughen the texture and lose of flavor from the dish.
So, if you are going to reheat the leftover chicken pieces, then know how to do it safely so that you don’t compromise its freshness.
Reheating will not harm you at all. Instead it will expedite the cooking and prepping time in half compared to reheating in the oven or on the stovetop. Microwave can help to reheat safely so that you can enjoy the juicy leg pieces of chicken at anytime in just a matter of minutes.
But while you reheat chicken leg pieces in the microwave oven, then you need to add some moisture to it. Water or olive oil work well to make the chicken leg pieces juicy and prevent it from becoming extremely dry.
How long do you reheat chicken leg in the microwave?
A microwave oven can make your tiresome work easy. Reheating chicken legs in the microwave oven generally takes about 2 to 3 minutes to reach the proper internal temperature for safe food handling.
Depending on the size of chicken leg and power setting of your microwave can affect the cooking time. Lower wattage appliance will take slightly longer than a 1000-watt microwave.
With 1,000 watts of power, start with less than 2 minutes to reheat a single serving meal. For larger amount of chicken, reheat for 2 to 3 minutes.
After halfway time, flip the leg pieces over and check the temperature, If necessary, continue to reheat in 30 second increments until it reaches an appropriate temperature.
As you can see, the microwave oven can save time significantly. No need for tension concerning reheating the cooked chicken leg pieces, instead you can do it easily without spending much time.
How do you know when chicken leg is reheated in the microwave?
It is difficult to identify exactly when chicken leg is reheated evenly and ready to eat.
When chicken legs are done reheating, they will be hot to the touch, steaming and give an aroma of cooked chicken. However, the best way to find out is by using meat thermometer to check if the thickest part of the chicken leg reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
Checking for a moist and tender texture is not enough to identify if it is safe to eat. Without caution, reheated chicken can contaminate food poisoning and contact with harmful bacteria.
Always check the temperature whether you are reheating chicken leg or cooking in any way. The microwave oven is an easy and convenient way to reheat the cooked chicken leg pieces, as long as the food is handled safely.
How to store cooked chicken leg
Instead of throwing them away, dealing with leftover cooked chicken leg can be tricky and headache. Without properly storing, it can easily result lose of texture and flavor, and rapid spoilage.
Safely storing cooked chicken properly can help it sustain in the refrigerator for two days or more. Furthermore, cooked chicken legs can last in the freezer for up to 3 months
Keep the cooked chicken in a ziplock bag or airtight container and place in the fridge or freezer. Always fully cool down the cooked chicken before tossing in the cold storage, this will prevent freezer burn or ice crystals that change the texture or dry out the moisture.
It is also possible to keep cooked chicken leg pieces is in the freezer, but when frozen they will need much more time to be soft and tender than the shredded chicken. The cooked chicken legs can last for three months in the freezer, which is much longer than the fridge giving you plenty of time to plan a tasty meal.
Tips to reheat chicken leg in the microwave:
Chicken legs are great protein to add to your meal. Serving while hot and juicy is the best way to eat it.
To properly reheat the chicken leg pieces in the microwave, follow these essential tips to retain juicy and flavorful meat.
- Place chicken leg pieces on a microwave-safe plate.
- Put the small chicken legs at the center and larger chicken leg pieces at the edge of the plate to get even heat.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of water or olive oil onto the chicken leg piece. By doing so, this combination will help to keep the chicken moist and tender when microwaved.
- Using spoonful of chicken stock instead of water can enhance the flavor.
- Cover the plate before putting it into the microwave oven with lid damp paper towel or microwavable plastic wrap. In addition, put a sheet of parchment paper in between the chicken and lid to absorb the steam to get a crispy result.
- Use 30 second intervals, flip and rotate to reach the internal temperature of reheated chicken leg to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is pretty challenging to reheat chicken leg in the microwave without getting dried out or chalky textured. The key is to avoid overheating them and adding moisture to the chicken with a cover to keep the steam trapped internally.
When removing the plate from microwave, slowly open the lid to release the steam. A rush of scalding hot steam and burn your hand and face if not careful.
Best way to reheat chicken leg in the microwave:
Place the previously cooked chicken legs on a microwave safe plate with even spacing between each piece.
Cover with a lid and nuke for 1 minute increments at 50% power level or using the reheat setting. Flip and rotate the legs after each interval, and continue reheating until the legs reach an internal temperature of 74 degrees C or 165 degrees F.
If you have the large size of chicken leg piece, then it is best to use the microwave oven as it is one of the convenient ways to reheat food. Always use the microwave-safe plate to reheat the chicken leg piece instead of styrofoam takeout boxes or disposable containers.
The microwave oven can do a great job in this case. It can deliver you the hot and juicy chicken leg piece in just a few minutes.
The best method of reheating can help you to enjoy the juicy and tender chicken leg pieces every time. Follow the microwave guidelines due to each appliances have different power setting, wattage, and features to get the job done.
But the overall cooking time may vary and it depends on size and amount of chicken leg pieces you are reheating. In general, you need to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to reheat the cooked chicken leg piece completely.
Microwave can save a lot of time if you are in a hurry. The household appliance will help you enjoy hot and juicy chicken leg piece in no time at all.
Reheating Chicken Leg in Microwave: Conclusion
Leftover chicken legs are great for a quick bite or the main course for a quick dinner. To restore the hot and juicy goodness of the precooked chicken leg, the microwave is best option compared to oven or stovetop method.
Reheating chicken legs in the microwave helps you to retain moisture and does not change the flavor or texture when done correctly.
Whether you are reheating a single portion or mixture of big and small sized chicken legs, place them on a microwave-safe plate and distribute well so that smaller legs are in center and larger pieces are on the edges of the plate. Doing so will help to speed up and even distribute the heat when microwaved.
Add a tablespoon of water or olive oil, and cover the plate with lid, wetted paper towel or microwavable wrap to retain the steam internally.
Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes for larger pieces and less than 2 minutes for small sized chicken leg. Use 30 second intervals until the chicken reaches 165 degree Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
Reheating chicken legs in the microwave is quite easy when you’re in a hurry. To prevent them from drying out or changing into a dry, chalky texture, use these microwave tips and follow the steps to help you save cooking time so that you are able to enjoy every bite.