Chicken thighs makes a pretty delicious meal, it is moist, tender and full of flavor. When you have leftovers, reheat chicken thigh in the microwave for quick and easy meal prep.
With so many recipes to try, the chicken thighs offer uncomplicated versatility. Whether you are adding protein to a salad or wraps for lunch, reheat chicken thigh in the microwave to enjoy your meal in just a few minutes.
How do you reheat chicken thigh in the microwave? Place the chicken thigh on a microwave safe plate, brush with olive oil and cover the meat with microwaveable plastic wrap. Set the microwave on high heat for 2 minutes, flip the meat over and continue nuking for 30 second intervals until the chicken thigh reaches 165 degree Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
Reheating chicken thigh in the microwave is best way to save the leftovers. But you need make sure that you are reheating the thighs the right way.
In this article, we will go over all the important facts and information regarding reheating the chicken thighs with the help of microwave oven. Detailed below are the answers to frequently asked questions about the process and the best way to reheat chicken thigh in the microwave.
Can you reheat chicken thigh in microwave?
Yes, you can reheat the leftover chicken thighs in a microwave. It is important to consume the reheated chicken thighs in one sitting as it is not safe to reheat over and over again.
It is recommended to reheat the chicken thighs once before eating them. However, it is only safe to reheat one time and eat it.
According to the USDA, it may not be safe to eat if you store the reheated chicken thigh again to be reheated the next day.
Not only can lose its flavor, moisture and taste, but it can be overly exposed to food born bacteria. So, it is better to reheat the portion of leftover chicken thighs that will be consumed right now.
Make sure to use a microwave-safe container or dish to reheat the chicken thighs to the internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F.
How long do you reheat chicken thigh in the microwave?
Reheat the chicken thigh in microwave for about 2 to 3 minutes. However, the actual duration depends on how many chicken thighs, total weight and the wattage level of the microwave.
Make sure that you don’t reheat chicken thigh in the microwavefor a longer time. As the chicken has a high content of protein, when it is heated for too long, it can change the texture which results in the taste being a bit chewy and tough.
Also, heating in the microwave for a longer time can reduce the moisture content. Hence, the chicken can become too dry.
Ideally, it is better to heat it for 2 minutes, and then check if it is completely heated all the way through. In case it didn’t, then you can continue reheating for 30 second increments until the proper internal temperature is reached.
How do you know when chicken thigh is reheated in the microwave?
It’s hard to tell by looking at the chicken thigh if it is fully reheated inside and outside other than by touching, which you may burn your fingers. In order to know that the chicken thighs are reheated is with the help of the thermometer.
The internal temperature of reheated chicken thigh should be 74°C or 165°F registered in the thickest part. In addition, the reheated meat will have steam rising from the surface and there will be a smell of cooked chicken in the air.
Meat thermometers are easily available and is the most precise way to tell when the chicken thigh is fully reheated. If the chicken thighs do not reach the proper temperature on the first round of microwaving, put it back into the appliance and heat it all the way through.
Check the internal temperature to make sure the meat is safe to eat. Put the thermometer into the chicken thigh and make sure it shows 165 degree Fahrenheit or 74 degree Celsius.
Using the thermometer is the best way to determine whether or not the chicken is uniformly heated. Often the outer surface is heated while the middle portion is still cold, you don’t want that to happen.
Not only will it not taste good when you are eating, but it may contain harmful bacteria to your body. If the temperature shows 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then your chicken is properly reheated.
Bring it out of the microwave, chop it up and tossed it into a salad or any meal you have in mind. Enjoy.
How to store cooked chicken thigh?
To store the cooked chicken thighs properly, put it in a shallow airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It must be placed under refrigeration within 2 hours of being cooked to safely store chicken thighs.
Having leftovers of the cooked food is quite common and using them the next day saves cooking time and money. In case you have cooked extra chicken thighs and have not finished eating all of them, store them safely for an easy meal prep.
Perishable foods must be refrigerated within 2 hours of preparation. The temperature danger zone is between 40°F and 140°F, and food should not remain within this zone for longer than 2 hours if you want to serve the leftovers.
But it is important to store it in the right way. If you want to store the cooked chicken thighs and ensure that they remain fresh, place the cooled pieces of meat in an airtight container.
Refrigerate those leftover chicken thighs in a shallow airtight container. Otherwise you can also use a heavy-duty high-quality aluminum foil to wrap the chicken thighs before placing them it in the refrigerator.
It is best to consume the leftover chicken thighs within 3 to 4 days for optimal freshness and quality.
Tips to reheat chicken thigh in the microwave
Although the process is easy, there are a few basic methods to use when successfully operating a microwave to reheat food. Wrapping, covering and adding moisture will give you a better outcome every time.
For the best results, use these tips to properly reheat chicken thighs in a microwave:
- If the thigh meat is frozen, then defrost the chicken thigh in the microwave on a low setting before reheating it.
- Don’t reheat the chicken thighs more than once as it can lose a lot of flavor, and also make it dry and tough.
- Make a shallow cut in the thickest part of the chicken thighs before reheating.
- Coat the meat with a few drops of olive oil as it will prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Cover the meath with a damp paper towel or microwave safe plastic wrap.
- Nuke for a minute, then flip the meat over and continue to evenly heat both sides.
Best way to reheat chicken thigh in the microwave
It is important to find the best way to reheat the chicken thigh in the microwave to avoid drying out or cold bites in unevenly heated chicken meat.
Follow these steps to reheat the chicken thighs in the microwave in the best way possible:
- Choose a microwave-safe plate for reheating the chicken thighs.
- Make a small slit on both sides of the thickest part of the chicken thighs.
- Place it on the dish and keep a slight gap between each piece.
- Brush olive oil, barbecue sauce or splash water lightly over the pieces. This is an important step to ensure that the meat remains moist.
- Cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap or a wetted paper towel. Don’t use regular wraps in microwave oven as they can melt.
- Microwave for 1 minute, flip the meat and nuke for another minute.
- Check the temperature with the thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 74°C or 165°F.
- If the meat has not registered the proper temperature, continue nuking for 30 second increments until the correct temp is registered.
Once it is done, you can serve the hot chicken thighs to your family or guests and they will surely enjoy every bite.
Reheating Chicken Thigh in Microwave: Conclusion
Microwave is the best way to reheat your leftover chicken thighs. It is hassle-free and doesn’t take much time to fully reheat it.
Follow these tips and steps to reheat chicken thigh in the microwave.
With a sharp knife, cut a deep slit on both sides of the thickest part of the meat. Coat the chicken thigh with olive oil to preserve the moisture while being heated.
Place the pieces on the plate andcover with microwave safe plastic wrap or damp paper towel. This will trap moisture and help to heat the meat with the steam generated underneath.
Set the microwave in high power setting for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the meat over at the halfway point.
Use a meat thermometer to measure the temperature in the center of the meat. If necessary, continue to reheat with 30 second increments until the chicken thigh reaches an internal temperature of 165 degree Fahrenheit or 74 degree Celsius.
Eating improperly reheated chicken can cause stomachache or food borne illness. Always use a thermometer to find out if the chicken is fully reheated inside and outside to avoid any bacteria concerns.
Adding chicken thigh to any meal is a great protein choice for a healthy and balanced diet. Use these steps and techniques to evenly reheat your leftover chicken thighs to enjoy it as a meal at any time of day.