5 Tips to Keep Fried Chicken Warm for Perfectly Crispy Meals
Tips for keeping fried chicken warm without an oven, ensuring crispy and juicy flavors last, and using tools like foil, paper, and warming carriers for safe and delicious meals on the go.
There is nothing like warm crispy fried chicken at dinner, at family gatherings outdoors, at a potluck, or even in your lunch box. But cool soggy chicken does not come close. Technically they may be the same, but truly they are not comparable.
Here are some solid tips if you are trying to figure out the best way to keep fried chicken warm without an oven.
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Great Chicken Is A Science
The science behind getting that chicken perfectly seasoned and crispy fried (without being dry) to begin with has been practiced and perfected by humans for decades.
It is not as simple as frying for a long time to get that crispy outer crust, because then the interior may become dry and gross. The balance is an art, a science, and maybe even magic. Inverse gives tips and techniques for the science of crispy yet juicy fried chicken if you do not already have a tried and true method.
Some swear it is accomplished by soaking the chicken overnight in buttermilk and spices, others say cornstarch in the dry coating is the secret ingredient for that crisp that does not take so long that it dries the interior.
Whatever recipe you follow, or whatever family secret you have for fried chicken it is all the better if you can get it to last until you get to eat it outside the home.
If you spent the money at a take-out place or invested the time in learning how to make perfect fried chicken at home then you want to make sure those textures and flavors hold up until you get to enjoy the meal.
Fried chicken may tend to get soggy if left too long, but there are ways to ensure that your food is as delicious as it was immediately after cooking as it is when you finally serve it, even hours later.
Learning these methods can make you the ruler of BBQ, the Queen of the Potluck, the King of the Picnic, and a happy camper who gets to enjoy crispy juicy chicken all the time.
Three Ways To Keep Your Fried Chicken Warm Without An Oven
Here are our 3 favorite methods.
Aluminum Foil
Good old trusty aluminum foil conducts the heat and reflects it back to the wrapped chicken. If you layer a kitchen towel over the aluminum foil you will keep even more heat for ultimate warmth during transport. This warmth comes at a price though, aluminum foil will lock in the moisture, which isn’t good for pieces with crispy skin like the drumsticks.
Vented Wax Paper
Wax or parchment paper does not have the reflective heat-keeping powers that aluminum foil does. But it does make a valid second choice. If you do use wax or brown paper to wrap your chicken add a few vent holes to allow steam to leave, so it may stay crisp. Also, wrap this set up in kitchen towels to lock in moisture.
The Heat of The Sun
Only use this method if you plan on eating the chicken relatively quickly, and it has only been out of the oven for a short time. This is the ultimate short-term solution for keeping your chicken warm without an oven.
Not to be used for reheating. If you have an aluminum pan, and it’s a bright sunny day then your already warm chicken will likely stay hot until it is time to consume, but do not delay because the line between chicken kept warm by the sun and food rotting in the sun can be as little as thirty minutes, depending on many factors.
You can do all of these things to keep your fried chicken warm and delightful until you serve it, but there are other things you can do while cooking to make sure that your recipe holds the texture and flavors as well.
The Right Tool For The Job Will Help Your Chicken Stay Warm Without An Oven, While Away From Home.
Here are some of our favorite warming tools.
Insulated Food Carrier
These thick canvas carriers often have several layers of insulation beyond a typical lunch bag, and they are shaped to fit casserole-sized dishes, so you can serve a crowd or even put the whole meal in one carrier.
Most come in a variety of colors to match any aesthetic, and many come with upgrades to add warming elements and additional dishes.
Chaffing Dish
If you are keeping your food warm for a buffet-style picnic without an oven then an aluminum chafing dish is a simple solution that uses candle heat to keep food warm.
It is not sensible for a hike but perfect for a banquet-style serving indoors or out. There are specific candles made for chaffing dishes, but you can also rig a system up yourself with candles and aluminum pans.
Flameless Warming Pads
An effective way to keep food warm for a few hours while traveling is Flameless warming pads (like the type you use to warm your hands) padded between two aluminum trays.
Beware, the bottom of the tray will also get very hot. They make food-specific warming pads to use in this manner, but hand warmers are also effective in a pinch.
Car Plug-In Portable Warmers
From crocks to electric insulated warmers, to full portable air-fryers, many products are sold for food warming in a vehicle. This means your food can stay at a stable temperature for maximum flavor and minimum bacterial growth the entire time you are driving to your destination.
Chicken Is A High-Risk Food For Pathogens, So Be Sure To Take Caution.
Keeping your fried chicken warm without an oven is not just about taste and preference, it is vital for food safety as well.
According to The Food Safety and Inspection Services, the chicken should initially be heated to a temperature of at least 165 F, then it should be held at a temperature either too high for bacteria to form or too low for it to grow quickly.
If you use a method that keeps the temperature high enough then your chicken may last up to four hours out of an oven, most people do not have handy heating lamps like restaurants though. If it is simply away from heat and away from refrigeration then anything beyond one or two hours is a real risk for food poisoning.
If you are looking up how to keep fried chicken warm without an oven for a meal where you will have other modern resources such as an air fryer or microwave then the best scenario for food safety is to refrigerate the fried chicken until close to serving time then reheat to a safe temperature right before.
Often a good air fryer and microwave can bring the temperatures up without drying out the chicken if precautions such as proper recipes to hold interior moisture and humidity in the appliance are taken.
How Do You Keep Fried Chicken Warm After Cooking?
Keeping chicken warm out of the oven while at home is as simple as some home upgrades. Warming plates, heat lamps under the counter, and serving it on a chaffing dish are all options for enjoying warm chicken without an oven.
Remember, if you must eat leftover fried chicken while it is cold the best flavor and texture is going to come from starting with the best recipe to begin with and storing it in a way that allows moisture to escape.
Fried chicken is a staple for outdoor eating. It is convenient at potlucks, packs up clean for a hiking feast, and even lends itself well to a family treat in a park on a blanket on the ground. Truly even cold and soggy, it’s pretty good. But who does not want their food to be great? Use these tips to upgrade your chicken, even without an oven.