Fast food craving is real; when we have them, we always go to Chick-Fil-A for one of the best chicken sandwiches. Sometimes, grabbing more than one, just in case we get hungry again.
But, having an extra sandwich is a problem. It gets cold, soggy, and sometimes distasteful. You don’t want to risk your health by eating a stale sandwich, right?
Instead of eating a stale, stinky sandwich, try storing your Chick-Fil-A sandwiches in the fridge properly so you can reheat later and enjoy.
We have come up with great ways to store and reheat your Chick-Fil-A sandwich so it tastes the same and doesn’t become soggy. Just follow through with our article to learn how to reheat Chick-Fil-A sandwiches.
Why is Chick-Fil-A So Popular for Sandwiches?
Before we jump onto storing and reheating a sandwich, let’s find an answer to why Chick-Fil-A is so famous for its sandwiches.
Do you know what they call themselves? “Home of the original chicken sandwich.” The reason behind the saying is that their chicken sandwich introduced a new dimension to the food by adding two pieces of dill pickle.
The pickles are no ordinary dill pickles. Truett Cathy, Chick-Fil-A’s founder, created their delicious pickled chicken sandwich recipe in 1964. The seasonings of the pickles are secret and locked away in a vault in Atlanta, Georgia.
We think the tasty pickle juice gets soaked by the bun and the meat, making the sandwich more delicious. It is also believed that the protein in Chick-Fil-A sandwich’s chicken is broken down due to the pickle juice, which leaves you with juicy and tender meat. Maybe that is why we got hooked on it!
Aside from the juicy pickles, their sauce is a trademark of their brand. Many people just love going to Chick-Fil-A for their sauce. Unlike the pickles, the sauce recipe is not a secret. It is simply made with ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and honey mustard.
What we can say from their chicken sandwich is the combination of all the ingredients: sauce, pickles, tomatoes, fried chicken, buns, etc., is a great crowd favorite flavor together. They all complement each other so well that you keep going back.
The 4 Best Chick-Fil-A Reheating Instructions
Reheating a Chick-Fil-A sandwich is a piece of cake if you have already separated the ingredients. There is just the chicken and the buns that need reheating; other components just need to be at room temperature.
We know we are blabbering but don’t get impatient, please. It’s for your own advantage. Just one more thing; don’t forget to bring the chicken and the bun to room temperature before heating. It will make the reheating process easier and faster.
Okay, we are done blabbering; let’s get onto reheating instructions!
1. How to Reheat Chick-Fil-A Sandwich in the Oven
The oven may not be a fast method to reheat, but it is one of the most efficient. It keeps the chicken crunchy and holds onto the original flavor. It’s like eating a fresh one!
Step 1: You need to preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 375℉.
Step 2: Bring your buns and chicken to room temperature.
Step 3: Line a baking tray with aluminum foil.
Step 4: Place the fried chicken on the lined baking tray.
Step 5: After 5 minutes of baking, turn the chicken over and add the buns to the baking tray.
Step 6: Let it all bake for 5 minutes. So the total reheating time is 10 minutes.
Step 7: Take everything out of the fridge, assemble, and enjoy.
2. How to Rewarm Chick-Fil-A Sandwich in an Air Fryer
Air fryers have been a blessing in every household. They cook or warm up food with little to no oil and in less time than the oven. But, if you are going to reheat your sandwich, you will have to clean the air fryer basket later. Moreover, you can’t reheat the buns in the Air Fryer. You have to reheat them separately.
To save you the trouble of cleaning and getting the perfect fried chicken, we have some instructions you can follow.
Step 1: Preheat your Air Fryer for 5 minutes at 325℉.
Step 2: Place parchment paper or baking sheet in the basket.
Step 3: Put the chicken in the air fryer basket.
Step 4: Bake it for 8 to 10 minutes at 325℉.
Step 5: While the chicken is reheating, take your buns and pop them in the oven to heat.
Step 6: Assemble the sandwich and eat it hot.
3. How to Heat Leftover Chick-Fil-A Sandwich on the Stove
If you don’t have an oven or an Air Fryer, we have better ways to heat your Chick-Fil-A sandwich up. You can easily reheat it on a pan on the stove. It doesn’t take much time, and the best part is the buns don’t get chewy.
Let’s get on to the reheating instructions:
Step 1: You will need a pan and some butter.
Step 2: First, heat the pan on medium heat on the stove.
Step 3: Butter the cut sides of the bun and place them on the pan with the buttered sides.
Step 4: Add your chicken next to it. If you want, you can add some extra butter to the chicken.
Step 5: Heat the buns until it is a bit charred. You can touch the upper sides of the bun lightly to feel if it is hot. Then take them off the pan.
Step 6: Flip the chicken, let it crisp up, and heat thoroughly.
Step 7: Take off the chicken and assemble your sandwich by adding the other ingredients.
Step 8: Enjoy it hot.
Tip: You can add cheese on top of the chicken while it is on the pan to get more flavor. The heat will melt the cheese and make the sandwich taste better.
4. How to Reheat Chick-Fil-A Sandwich in the Microwave
Microwaves are a great kitchen appliance for making meals in a short period. They are great for reheating food, but there are occasional cold spots. To avoid it, you can let the buns and the chicken reach room temperature before reheating in the microwave.
Moreover, you may want to heat the bun separately in the toaster to avoid hard, chewy buns; we have a great tip. Just follow our instructions for reheating and you are all set.
Step 1: Take a microwave-safe plate and place the chicken on it.
Step 2: Microwave the chicken for 30 to 35 seconds on full power.
Step 3: Check the chicken for any cold spots.
Step 4: If there are any cold spots, microwave it again for 15 seconds. Otherwise, just skip this step.
Step 5: Place the buns on the microwave-safe plate. To avoid losing moisture, place a damp towel on the buns. It will help retain moisture.
Step 6: Microwave the buns for a minute at fifty percent power.
Step 7: Take all the cold ingredients out of the fridge, assemble them, add your favorite sauces, and enjoy it hot.
Tip: Adding cheese is a great way to incorporate moisture into the buns. So, when reheating the chicken fillet, put a cheese slice on top of it. Make sure not to burn it.
How to Reheat Chick-Fil-A Bread or Buns
The bread or buns of the Chick-Fil-A sandwich is a significant part of the sandwich. There are possibilities for it to become soggy, hard, or chewy when reheated. You won’t be able to use buns like that. Even if you do, you won’t enjoy your meal.
Yes, you can easily reheat the bun in the oven or microwave, but we have some great tips for perfect results. It will give your bun a crispy, toasty texture as well as enhance the taste.
Tip 1
If you are reheating your buns in the oven, brush a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil on them. By small amount, we mean a pretty small amount. It will help to crisp up the buns a little.
Tip 2
Even if you are reheating the chicken fillet using other methods, toasting the buns in the toaster is a great way to avoid any sogginess or chewiness. It will reheat it properly and give you a toasty flavor. It is also easier to toast them.
Tip 3
We think the best way to reheat buns is on the stove. As we mentioned earlier in the reheating instructions, just buttering the buns and lightly toasting them on the pan gives them a charred flavor.
Moreover, it doesn’t make the buns chewy or hard; instead, you will get the buttery flavor with a hint of char and a great crispy texture.
How long can Chick-Fil-A be left out?
It’s better not to leave your Chick-Fil-A sandwich at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Because it is an ideal temperature for the bacteria to start growing, and this is true for all food items, fast food or not.
Store your food in the fridge right after it has cooled down. Food contains moisture and can quickly produce bacteria, which can make anyone sick. So, letting your food sit out for an extended period is not ideal.
Tips for Storing Chick-Fil-A sandwiches
Fast foods are hard to store as leftovers. The consistency and taste will change if you don’t store them correctly. But, the important part of not storing the food correctly is it can produce bacteria, creating health issues if consumed.
If you still want to store your favorite Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich, we have some tips to help you.
Tip 1
When ordering the sandwich, ask them to put the sauces on the side instead of on the sandwich. It will help to control the moisture content, and you can add the sauces later.
Tip 2
After getting home, immediately separate the tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, or any kind of ingredient that has moisture. It can make the buns soggy, which is definitely not what you want.
Tip 3
Store the ingredients in separate ziplock bags or airtight containers before keeping them in the fridge. Do the same for buns and fried chicken.
Tip 4
Store the sandwich only when it has cooled down. Warm food, plus the fridge, isn’t a good combination.
Tip 5
Keep the Chick-Fil-A bag the sandwich came in. It has a foil lining inside it that keeps the food warm for a more extended period. It will be handy after the reheating process.
How Long Does a Chick-Fil-A Sandwich Last in the Refrigerator?
Many people will tell you that storing your Chick-Fil-A sandwich in the fridge for 2 or 3 days is okay. But, that is wrong information unless you want a rancid sandwich.
Chick-Fil-A sandwiches must be eaten within a 24-hour timeline when stored in the fridge. There is a reason why it is called fast food: it is made quickly and should be consumed in a short period. Fast food like Chick-Fil-A sandwiches is not meant to be stored, so 24 hours is more than enough time for keeping in the fridge.
Summary of the Sandwich
Chick-Fil-A sandwiches are a delight. Whenever we have it, we feel like having more. But, driving to it and ordering again waiting in a long line is tiring. So, we order two sometimes instead of just one. If you are like us, these reheating methods are your go-to options for enjoying a leftover Chick-Fil-A sandwich.
You can easily use any of the above methods to reheat your sandwich in a couple of minutes. Just store your sandwich correctly, and remember to bring them to room temperature before reheating.
We hope these reheating methods have helped you overcome your sandwich reheating dilemma. If you have tried any of these, don’t forget to write to us. Enjoy your reheated sandwich, and have a great day!
Lorena Davalos joined our team during the Lockdown of worldwide pandemic. She is a nutrition expert and has a degree in this subject. Lorena surely knows her onion! She was looking for a platform where she could blend her expertise with commonly asked questions.