Can You Reheat Chicken?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA/NHS reheating guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, you can reheat chicken — but only once, and it must reach 75°C (165°F) and be piping hot all the way through.
What makes it safe (or not)
Reheating chicken is safe when you follow the core food safety rules. The risk comes from bacteria that multiply while food sits in the 'danger zone' between 8°C and 63°C — so what matters is how quickly it was cooled, how it was stored, and whether reheating gets it properly hot. Each reheat cycle gives bacteria another trip through the danger zone, which is why the FSA advises reheating food only once.
You can also check the calorie content of chicken alongside its safety information.
How long can cooked chicken wait before you reheat it?
| Source | Cool within | Fridge life | Reheat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Standards Agency (published 18 Dec 2017) | Two hours | 'Eat leftovers within 48 hours' | Cooked food can be reheated only once after refreezing |
| Pendle Borough Council (cites no agency) | 'ideally within 90 minutes' | 'within two days' | 'don't reheat food more than once'; 'steaming hot throughout' |
| USDA via Healthline (updated 15 Oct 2026) | Not covered | Cooked chicken 3 to 4 days | Not covered |
The UK figure is 48 hours; the US allows longer. Use the FSA's 48 hours.
Reheat once, and check the middle
The FSA recommends food is only reheated once (Food and You 2, Wave 6). In that survey about 82% of respondents said they reheat only once. The most common check people used was feeling that the middle is hot, which is unreliable; Which? gives 75°C (165°F) in the middle on a meat thermometer for chicken. 'Piping hot, not just warmed through' is the standard.
Quick check: should I reheat this chicken?
| Situation | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cooked today, cooled within 2 hours, in the fridge | Yes, within 48 hours |
| Day 3 or later in the fridge | FSA says 48 hours; US guidance allows 3 to 4 days. Throw it away if in doubt |
| Already reheated once | Do not reheat it again |
| Frozen cooked chicken | Defrost in the fridge, then reheat once (FSA) |
| Left out overnight | Throw it away; see left out overnight |
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- Food Standards Agency: How to chill, freeze and defrost food safely — cool and refrigerate within two hours; eat leftovers within 48 hours (published 18 December 2017)
- Pendle Borough Council: Food safety in the home (cites no agency) — council page: 90 minutes and two days; cites no agency
- Which?: 5 foods you should never cook straight from frozen (15 September 2026) — 75°C in the middle
- Healthline: Can you refreeze chicken? (updated 15 October 2026) — USDA via Healthline: cooked chicken 3 to 4 days
Chicken dishes compared
| Dish | Chill within | Eat within | Best reheating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked chicken | 2 hours | 2 days | Covered in the oven, or microwave with a turn |
| Roast chicken | 2 hours | 2 days | Carved, covered, in the oven |
| Chicken curry | 2 hours | 2 days | Pan, to a bubbling simmer |
| Chicken wings | 2 hours | 2 days | Oven or air fryer |
| KFC | 2 hours | 1–2 days | Oven on a wire rack, or air fryer |
| Chicken fried rice | 1 hour | 24 hours | Hot pan or microwave, stirred |
How to reheat chicken safely
- Take chicken from the fridge and reheat it straight away.
- Reheat in the microwave, oven or pan until steaming hot throughout — 75°C (165°F) in the centre. Stir or turn partway through so there are no cold spots.
- Check the middle: it should be piping hot, not just warm.
- Eat immediately, and throw away anything left over — never reheat chicken twice.
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More kitchen essentials
Oven thermometer
Oven temperatures drift — a thermometer keeps cooking accurate.
Check Price →Chicken: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Safe if fully cooked |
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
| Past the date on the label | No — use-by means use by |
Common questions
Can you reheat chicken?
Yes, once, until it is piping hot all the way through. The FSA recommends reheating food only once.
How long can cooked chicken stay in the fridge before reheating?
The FSA says to eat leftovers within 48 hours, after cooling and refrigerating within two hours. US guidance cited by Healthline allows 3 to 4 days.
Can you reheat chicken twice?
No. The FSA advises reheating food only once.
What temperature should reheated chicken reach?
75°C (165°F) in the middle on a thermometer, per Which?
Can I reheat chicken that was frozen?
Yes. Defrost it in the fridge, then reheat it once. The FSA says cooked food can be frozen and reheated once afterwards.
Related answers
Primary source: FSA/NHS reheating guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.