How to Reheat Chick Fil A sandwich without Drying it Out

Are you interested in how to reheat Chick Fil A sandwiches without losing their flavor and hydration? Sure thing they can be done by following our foolproof 3-way methods.

When you follow through with the instructions below, you can warm the Chick Fil A chicken sandwich without drying out. As a result, you'll end up with a toasty bun instead of a chewy and tough texture.

As a general rule, always deconstruct its elements preventing moisture from setting in the bottom while storing your sandwich in the fridge.

A Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is one of my favorite fast foods. But what I hate is when it gets cold. If you bought your sandwich, jumped into the car to get home quickly to enjoy your prize, then got stuck in traffic, it's very annoying. 

I don't allow anyone (including myself) to eat in the car. Cleaning can be a real pain if any sauce or wet food gets onto the seat. It's not just the crumbs. 

But if you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I hate throwing food away - especially something like a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich. But I soon realized if you don't know how to reheat your chicken sandwich, you can end up with a sad, dry, tasteless thing. 

So, of course, I had to experiment to find a way of reheating it, so it stayed pretty much as good as when I bought it. I succeeded, and I would like to share how best to do it with you.

Should you reheat the whole sandwich?

To give it its total deliciousness, a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich has several different elements that make it up. In addition to the crispy chicken and the bun, there is butter, pickles, sauce, and other veggies.

If you try to reheat the whole thing intact, it simply doesn't work. It gets too soggy.

You can end up with a catastrophic mess of lukewarm mushy bread and chicken that has become saturated by the sauce, but it loses a lot of its flavor.

The answer is to remove some of the ingredients before you start reheating. Please read on, and I will explain in more detail.

Ingredients you should remove before reheating.

When reheating your sandwich ahead, a few things are best removed.

1 First, come the pickles.

If you reheat them, they tend to become quite soggy and tasteless, so be sure to take them out. You can either add them back in when you finished reheating or if you've got some fresh pickles at home. Use those instead.

2 Next comes the sauce.

If the server puts Chick-fil-A dipping sauce in your sandwich, scrape it off. You can put it back in later if you wish, or you can get some extra sachets of sauce when you buy the sandwich to spread over the chicken once it's reheated.

Read: How Long Does Chick Fil A Sauce Last?

3 Then there is the bun.

It can get a little soggy when reheated (because it's buttered), so you might leave the sandwich buns out too and use the fresh ones if you have some at home.

Although it's tempting to use your microwave, you are better off reheating the chicken on your stovetop or in your toaster oven if you have one. Microwaving the chicken tends to make it a bit rubbery.

I also like to add a slice of cheese (Colby Jack or Swiss) just to give the sandwich another dimension. I know you can order your Chick-fil-A with cheese at the store, but it doesn't reheat well again.

How to reheat Chick-fil-A sandwich

Is it worth reheating a Chick-fil-A®chicken sandwich? It all depends on personal taste, but eating one cold, which I must admit I have done on occasion, is not great. You don't get the full flavor - just that of cold chicken.

Read: Popeye Chicken Sandwich Copycat Recipe

As I said earlier, I have experimented with different ways of reheating a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich in 3 ways, in fact. Let me share them with you.

• Reheating the sandwich in the oven
• Warming up the chicken in the microwave
• Heating up the sandwich in the air fryer (my favorite)

1 How to reheat Chick Fil A sandwich in the oven

Your oven is an excellent go-to method for reheating many foods and getting them close to their original "as cooked" state. A piece of fried crispy chicken is one of them. Get it right, and the chicken retains its juiciness, but it will still have a lovely crisp outer.

A Chick-fil-A® chicken sandwich, when reheated in the oven, will come out evenly heated and will still have some of its original crunchiness.

Important note: 

Before you start reheating any food, you must take them out from the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This extra step helps it cook faster and is unlikely to release moisture.

Follow these steps:

Step 1

Preheat your oven or toaster to a temperature of 370°F. Meantime, you can take the chicken out of the fridge and allow it to cool down to room temperature while the oven is warming up.

Step 2

Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. If you stored the chicken sandwich intact inside its wrapping, you would need to disassemble it.

Step 3

Place the chicken on the lined baking sheet. Wrap the bun in foil and place that on the baking sheet too.

Step 4

Depending on how crispy your chicken fillet is, heat it for between 5 and 7 minutes, flipping it over halfway through the cooking time.

Make sure you reheat the chicken evenly. You can do this by tearing it in half, but not all the way through, so it is still one, and testing the inside with a fingertip.

Step 5

Reassemble your sandwich and enjoy. Don't forget to re-add some sauce or condiments to get that extra kick. You can find a copycat recipe here.

2 How to reheat Chick Fil A sandwich in the microwave

Where would we be without our microwaves? They are a great ally when you're in a rush. However, they're not very good at heating things through evenly.

When I first experimented with reheating a piece of Chick-fil-A® chicken in my microwave, I found it was cold in the middle when I bit into it. 

Hot on the outside, but cold in the middle is not very pleasant.

Follow the below steps to avoid this problem.

Step 1

Remove the chicken from the fridge 10 minutes before reheating to allow it to come up to room temperature.

Step 2

Disassemble the sandwich if it was stored intact

Step 3

Transfer the bun halves onto a microwave-safe plate. Fill a microwave-safe container with a quarter cup of water and stand it next to the plate. Alternatively, you can drape a slightly dampened piece of paper kitchen towel over the bun.

Step 4

Give the bun a 10-second nuke, and repeat until satisfactory warmed through. Don't get it piping hot, as it will turn chewy as it begins to cool.

Step 5

Transfer the chicken fillets onto a microwave-safe plate. Drape it with a moistened kitchen towel and give it a 30-second nuke on full power. Check to see if it's warmed through evenly. If not, continue to reheat at 5 or 10-second intervals until it warmed all the way through. Once you're happy, marry it back up with the bun. Add some CFA (Chick Fil A) sauce and condiments, reassemble and enjoy.

Tips on warming bread in the microwave

If you're not sure how to go about it, it's all too easy to try to reheat bread in the microwave only to end up somewhat chewy. It seems rather wasteful to warm your oven up just for reheating bread. 

So here's something you can do with the microwave to avoid that chewiness.

Tip 1

It's essential to keep the bread moist. Make sure to keep it covered during the microwaving process. I found that moistening a sheet of paper towel, and draping it over the bread while it microwaves works fine.

Tip 2

Don't microwave on full power. Adjust the setting down to 30 or 50% and nuke the buns for 20 seconds intervals until it gets toasty. The point of doing this is to warm it gently, bearing in mind that it will turn chewy and hard in places if it gets too hot. Check the bread if the warmness is according to your preference.

Why does the bread get hard in the microwave?

The flour in which bread is made usually contains gluten and starch. Starch is made up of 2 molecules of sugar. When one molecule gets to 212°F, it melts and becomes soft.

That's why bread feels soft and fluffy when you first take it out of the microwave. But as it cools, that molecule that got softened then re-crystallizes and becomes solid again, which makes the bread chewy and hard.

My preference is always to reheat bread or buns for one minute in my toaster.

3 How to reheat Chick Fil A sandwich in air-fryer

Another good way of reheating a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is to use an air-fryer. If you do it properly, your chicken fillet will be hot, crispy, and juicy, just as it was when you bought it. However, you have to be a little careful, or you'll dry it out.

Including preheating your air fryer, the whole process doesn't take much more than around 15 minutes. 

Here's what to do for the best results:

Step 1

Preheat the air fryer to a temperature of 360°F for at least 5 minutes.

If you stored the sandwich in your refrigerator, take it out and bring it to room temperature while the air fryer is preheating.

Step 2

Transfer the chicken fillet into the air fryer and cook for five to six minutes (I did mine for 5 minutes). Flip over halfway through the cooking time. This ensures they will be warmed through evenly. If you're heating more than one, be sure not to stack them.

Step 3

Warm the bun in your toaster for 30 seconds or 1 minute.

Step 4

Transfer the warmed chicken fillet onto the bottom half of the warmed bun, apply some CFA, or teriyaki or any other sauce that takes your fancy, and some pickles, if you so wish; put the top half of the bun in place, eat and enjoy.

Quick Tips when reheating chicken in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer for at least 5 minutes.
• Get the chicken fillet up to room temperature before reheating.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking time.
• Warm your bun in the toaster as the fillet is reheating.
• Add some sauce of your choice for a nice moist and crispy reheated Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.

I use exactly the same process (apart from reheating the bun) when reheating chicken breasts, drumsticks, thighs, or wings.

I also find that adding a dry rub before putting the chicken into the air fryer gives it a nice flavor boost.

How long to reheat chicken breast in an air fryer

The trick with reheating Chick-fil-A® chicken breast in an air fryer is to end up with a nice crispy coating without letting the chicken become dry.

Over the many times, I've done this myself, I've learned that somewhere between 5 to 6 minutes is the optimum cooking time. It varies a little depending on the size of the fillet.

What temperature to reheat chicken breast in an air fryer?

If you preheat your air fryer to too high a temperature, it will scorch the breading before the chicken is properly warmed through. I have tried several temperatures, but the best one, without a doubt, is a fryer temperature of 350°F.

If you want to get technical, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check the inside temperature of the chicken breast before serving.

How to store Chick-fil-A sandwich

If you're not going to consume your Chick-fil-A® chicken sandwich when you get home, you should store it in your fridge.

When many foods are left lying around at room temperature for too long, bacteria can begin to develop, making them dangerous to eat. So transfer your sandwich into the fridge as soon as possible and eat it within a day of purchase.

If you have already reheated it once, it's not advisable to store it back in the fridge. If you do, it could make you ill when you reheated again.

As long as you refrigerate your Chick-fil-A® chicken sandwich as soon as you get home, it will be safe to eat the next day, and these are the steps I suggest to enjoy at its best quality.

Step 1

Remove any sauce, pickles, and slices of tomato. These wet ingredients will make the sandwich mushy and soggy if not taken out before refrigerating.

Step 2

Transfer the bun into a separate sealed container or bag before storing it in the fridge.

It's best to allow the fillet and bread to cool down before refrigerating. If refrigerated while still warm, moisture can form and turn them soggy.

How long does Chick-fil-A sandwich last in the fridge?

Although it is recommended it's best to eat a refrigerated Chick-fil-A® chicken sandwich the next day, if properly stored, you can keep it in your fridge for up to three or four days. The same goes for any cooked chicken, according to the USDA. 

The key is to store it correctly, and here's how:

Step 1

Transfer the cooked chicken into a zip-lock type freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible, then seal. Here's a short 30-second video on YouTube showing an easy way to take the air out.

Step 2

You can store the chicken in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F for up to three to four days. If you want to keep it longer, you can transfer it into your freezer, where you can keep it for up to four months.

Step 3

If you are going down the freezer route, before reheating, it's best to transfer the frozen cooked chicken from the freezer to the fridge and allow it to defrost overnight.

Step 4

Be careful if you are reheating the chicken in your microwave, as it can easily become dry and chewy. You're better off going down the air-fryer route as described above.

How long can Chick-fil-A sit out?

Like many other foods, it is not advisable to let Chick-fil-A sit out at room temperature for longer than two hours. If it's a summer's day, and the heat temperature in your kitchen is above room temperature, don't let it sit out for longer than an hour.

The fact is that chicken fillets are more likely to spoil before bread and sauce. Placing them into a sealed Ziploc bag with as much air evacuated as possible and storing them in a refrigerator helps prevent bacteria buildup.

What happens if Chick-fil-A is left out too long

If you leave Chick-fil-A out of the refrigerator for longer than 2 hours, the buildup of bacteria can cause it to spoil and make it dangerous to eat.

Storing it in a zip lock bag with the air taken out will make it safe to eat for up to 3 to 4 days, and because most of the air has been evacuated, it will keep out any unwanted moisture and help the fillet to remain stable longer.

How about in the car?

The same rule applies to your car as it does in your kitchen. So don't leave it in your car for longer than two hours.

If it's cold inside the car, you might get away with it being out for a little longer in winter. However, is it worth taking the chance of it making you ill? 

It's probably best to dispose of it, just to be on the safe side.

Step by step instructions on how to Reheat Chick Fil A sandwich

5 from 1 vote

Pin Recipe

Is it worth reheating a Chick-fil-A®chicken sandwich? It all depends on personal taste, but eating one cold, which I must admit I have done on occasion, is not great.

Equipments:

• toaster, microwave and air fryer

Ingredients:

• ▢ leftover Chick Fil A sandwich

Instructions:

Method 1: Using a toaster or oven

• Preheat your oven to a temperature of 370°F. You can take the chicken out of the fridge and allow it to cool down to room temperature while the oven is warming up.
• Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. If you stored the chicken sandwich intact inside its wrapping, you would need to disassemble it.
• Place the chicken on the lined baking sheet. Wrap the bun in foil and place that on the baking sheet too.

  Note: Rather than warming the bun in the oven, you could toast it in your toaster for one minute.
• Depending on how crispy your chicken fillet is, heat it for between 5 and 10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through the cooking time.

  Note: >> Make sure you reheat the chicken evenly. You can do this by tearing it in half, but not all the way through, so it is still one, and testing the inside with a fingertip.
• Reassemble your sandwich and enjoy. Don’t forget to re-add some sauce or condiments to get that extra kick.

Method 2: Using your microwave

• Remove the chicken from the fridge 10 minutes before reheating to allow it to come up to room temperature.
• Disassemble the sandwich if it was stored intact
• Transfer the bun halves onto a microwave-safe plate. Fill a microwave-safe small container with a quarter cup of water and stand it next to the plate.

  Alternatively, you can drape a dampened piece of paper kitchen towel over the bun.
• Give the bun a 10-second nuke intervals, and repeat until satisfactory warmed through. Don’t get it piping hot, as it will turn chewy as it begins to cool.

  Note: >> Rather than warming the bun up in the microwave, I prefer to slightly toast it in the toaster.
• Transfer the chicken fillets onto a separate microwave-safe plate and give it a 30-second nuke on full power.

  Check to see if it’s warmed through evenly. If not, continue to reheat at 5 to 10-second intervals until it’d warmed all the way through.
• Once you’re happy, marry it back up with the bun. Add some CFA source and condiments, reassemble and enjoy.

Method 3: Using an air-fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to a temperature of 350°F for at least 5 minutes.

  If you stored the sandwich in your refrigerator, take it out and bring it to room temperature while the air fryer is preheating.
• Transfer the chicken fillet into the air fryer and cook for five to seven minutes.

  Flip over halfway through the cooking time. This ensures they will be warmed through evenly. If you’re heating more than one, be sure not to stack them.
• Warm the bun in your toaster for a 30 seconds or 1 minute.
• Transfer the warmed chicken fillet onto the bottom half of the warmed bun, apply some CFA, or teriyaki or any other sauce that takes your fancy, and some pickles, if you so wish; put the top half of the bun in place, eat and enjoy.

Notes:

Quick tips when reheating chicken in air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer for at least 5 minutes.
• Get the chicken fillet up to room temperature before reheating.
• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking time.
• Warm your bun in the toaster as the fillet is reheating.
• Add some sauce of your choice for a nice moist and crispy reheated Chick-fil-A® chicken sandwich.

Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Did you make this?I would love seeing what you've made! Tag me on Instagram @theforkbitedotcom or leave me a comment or rating below.

Keywords: how to reheat Chick Fil A sandwich