Can You Freeze KFC – Right Method To Reheat Frozen KFC Chicken?

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Can You Freeze KFC?: KFC is loved by everyone, you can turn any occasion into a party by ordering KFC. In all get-togethers, whether family or friends, KFC adds an extra delicious element.

But in some situations, you may order more KFC than you need. After having a full stomach, you may want to save the extra food, especially fried chicken, for the next time or the late-night snacks.

Then you’ll wonder, “Can you freeze KFC?” So worry not; in this article, we will discuss whether we can freeze KFC chicken or not.

Can You Freeze KFC

Can You Freeze KFC?

Yes, you can freeze KFC. However, the main issue with freezing KFC is to preserve the crispness and freshness of the KFC for a longer period.

As meat is vulnerable to bacteria, you will need to take certain precautions while freezing, thawing, and reheating the KFC chicken.

You can freeze KFC chicken in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container, and it will stay good for use for up to three months.

However, the bag or container must be sealed completely so that air doesn’t enter it and the chicken stays fresh. Also, you can only reheat KFC chicken once. We’ll discuss more of that later on in this article.

How To Freeze KFC?

Here we’ll focus on freezing chicken pieces like breasts, wings, or legs. So, if you have some excess KFC pieces that you want to save for a later date, follow the below-given instructions to properly freeze them:

  • Let the KFC cool down: Before freezing KFC, you will need to make sure your chicken has cooled to room temperature. For this, you should simply remove the chicken from the box that it’s served in, and place it in a separate dish while it cools.
  • Place Chicken Into Individual Bags: Don’t just load your whole chicken into a single freezer bag, as it might stick together when frozen. For best results, you should place one piece of chicken in a small freezer bag on its own or individually wrap your pieces in cling film before putting them in the bag.
  • Remove Excess Air and Seal: Remove as much air as possible from the freezer-safe bags and then seal them. This will safeguard your KFC from freezer burn.
  • Label and Freeze: Write the purchase date of KFC on the front of the freezer-safe bags, as well as the date you need to use your chicken.

Remember, you can freeze KFC for around three months only. If you’ve bought a burger from KFC, you can freeze the chicken part, but we wouldn’t recommend including the bun, lettuce, and sauce in the freezer with it!

The result in this case will most likely be a mushy burger, something that we’re sure you will want to avoid.

How Long Is KFC Chicken Good In The Fridge?

If you think you’re going to eat your leftover KFC chicken within two days of purchase, you can simply store it in the refrigerator. At most, KFC chicken stays in the fridge for three days.

Also, if you reheat chicken from KFC that you kept in the refrigerator, it won’t take as long to reheat as it does when stored in the freezer.

Further, to store KFC chicken in the fridge, you can keep it in the bucket it originally came in. As well, you can place the chicken in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Interestingly, KFC chicken freezes well if you follow the proper steps and will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. However, if you notice your KFC chicken is freezer burnt or if the container you stored it in is partially opened, it’s best not to consume it.

KFC  Shelf Life 
In the Refrigerator 3 to 4 days
In the freezer About 3 months

Does KFC Freeze Well?

Yes, KFC freezes remarkably well. Surprisingly, if you reheat it appropriately, previously frozen KFC can taste almost as good as it does when it’s fresh out of the fryer!

So, if you’ve treated yourself to a delicious KFC takeaway, you no longer have to worry about throwing away the leftovers; simply freeze them.

Refer to other articles like Can You Freeze Chicken Liver Pate and clear your queries on the freezing process.

How To Defrost KFC Chicken?

The best way to defrost the KFC chicken is to allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then take the chicken out of the fridge right before reheating—not earlier.

You shouldn’t defrost KFC chicken—or any cooked meat, for that matter – at room temperature, especially in warm weather, because the meat is highly sensitive to bacteria. If your meat gets contaminated with bacteria, it’ll no longer be safe to consume.

Although cold doesn’t kill bacteria, it does slow down their growth, so defrosting the chicken in the fridge ensures that it doesn’t get contaminated, or, if the meat is already contaminated, the bacteria won’t grow further. Warmth, on the other hand, allows bacteria to thrive.

Does Freezing Affect the KFC’s Flavor?

Unfortunately, yes, freezing does affect the taste of KFC chicken. However, this doesn’t mean the chicken won’t be tasty – it just won’t be as tasty as it is when it is freshly cooked.

The spices may become dull and the meat itself may taste bland when you reheat the frozen KFC chicken.

Since the KFC chicken flavor is especially dependent on its signature spice mix, being frozen and then reheated can have a more noticeable influence on its flavor profile than any other cooked meat.

Luckily, you can significantly improve the flavor by adding some extra spices while reheating the KFC chicken.

How To Reheat KFC?

There are many methods for reheating frozen KFC items. While reheating, you must make frozen KFC as crispy, tender, juicy, and delicious as fresh KFC.

We have seen that the air fryer is a great way to cook, and air frying is healthier than some ways to reheat your fresh chicken. Try out the following methods to reheat KFC:

  • Heat in Deep Fryer: You can deep-fry your chicken in medium-hot oil once it has fully defrosted. Fry all of the KFC pieces nicely by adding a few pieces to the pan in each batch. You should cook the chicken until it is crunchy.
  • Heating on a stovetop: This process is pretty similar to that of deep-fryer heating, but instead of submerging the chicken in the oil, you’ll need to keep constantly turning it. Just put enough neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point to fully cover the bottom of the pan.
  • Heat in a Grill Oven: You can also grill frozen KFC in a grill oven. Put the fully defrosted chicken on the grill after warming the grill oven. Brush the oil on the pieces for the best outcome, and let the chicken grill for a few minutes.
  • Heat in the Microwave Oven: Yes, you may even reheat frozen KFC in a microwave, but it’s not the best method. Simply reheat chicken pieces in the microwave according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

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FAQs On Freezing KFC

1. Does the taste remain the same after freezing the KFC?

Yes, you can preserve taste while freezing KFC by following our best freezing instructions.

2. Should I freeze KFC if I want to use it the next day?

No, if you want to eat the leftover KFC pieces the next day, then you should refrigerate them instead of freezing them.

3. Is it safe to freeze KFC chicken? 

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to freeze chicken from KFC, given that it’s stored in the proper conditions. Just remember to use freezer-safe containers or bags to store your leftover KFC chicken. Otherwise, you risk the spoilage of the chicken.

4. Can You Freeze KFC Gravy?

Yes, as KFC gravy is made fresh each day, you can freeze it safely. Find a container with a tight-fitting lid, and then pour in your KFC gravy and place the pot into the freezer.

5. How do you make leftover fried chicken crispy again?

For this, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and while waiting, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Then place a wire rack on a baking sheet and put the chicken on the rack in a single layer.

Once the oven is preheated, bake the KFC chicken for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the skin turns crispy again

Wrapping Up

I hope this article helps you freeze your KFC chicken for a long period without any fear of spoilage. You will be able to enjoy your frozen KFC for up to 3 months if you properly follow the above-mentioned guidelines. Drop us a comment below sharing your personal experience of freezing KFC.

Keep following our website for amazing wellness updates and articles like Can You Freeze Corned Beef and don’t miss out on the best tips to avoid food wastage.

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