Can You Freeze Fried Chicken? Everything You Need to Know

I know you ended up on this page because you want to know if you can freeze fried chicken?

Today, I will not only answer that question, but also provide an in-depth guide at how to do it, along with important information showing you why preparation is necessary.

So, let us get right into it.

Can You Freeze Fried Chicken?

Yes, you absolutely can freeze fried chicken, once it is prepped and packed properly for freezer storage. Frozen fried chicken can last up to 4 months in the freezer, but it is best to use it before to maximize its freshness. When ready to use, just thaw and reheat in a warm oven.

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How to Freeze Fried Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide

Freezing fried chicken is pretty easy and once it is packaged properly for the freezer, you can store it for up to 4 months.

Below are the different steps needed to get your fried chicken ready for freezing.

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1. Cool The Chicken

If you just cooked a fresh batch of fried chicken and you want to freeze it, the first thing you need to do is make sure that it is cooled properly, before attempting to prep it and put it in the freezer.

2. Plastic Wrap

After cooling, you can now begin to wrap the pieces of chicken with freezer wrap. You need to make sure all the pieces are properly covered as you do not want them to get freezer burn. For an extra layer of protection (optional), you can use aluminum foil and cover the fried chicken that has already been covered with plastic wrap.

3. Freezer Bag/Container

Once the chicken is fully wrapped, you can now place them inside a freezer bag or container. This will add another level of protection to the chicken and it also helps to retain moisture.

4. Label the Freezer Bag/Container

Before placing the fried chicken in the freezer, it is a good idea to write the date on the freezer bags/containers. You can freeze fried chicken for up to 4 months and by having your containers dated, you can have an idea as to how long they have been sitting in the freezer.

How Do You Thaw Frozen Fried Chicken?

When you are ready to use your frozen fried chicken, you will have to defrost it.

However, texture can change when defrosted. If you want fried chicken to be as crispy as when it was newly-cooked, you must follow proper thawing and reheating method.

Overnight in the Refrigerator: Recommended Method

Defrosting frozen fried chicken is pretty easy and all you really have to do is take it out of the freezer and allow it to sit and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

While this requires some amount of pre-planning (it takes 8-12 hours to thaw), it should be ready for use by the next morning.

Once defrosted, you are more than likely going to reheat it. I have a pretty good reheating fried chicken guide that will highlight the different options that can be used to get your chicken perfectly reheated.

Wrapping it up

As you can see, freezing fried chicken is a pretty easy process and it is a great option for a make ahead freezer meal.

Now, I want to hear your thoughts.

Was there anything in this guide that stood out for you? Will you be freezing fried chicken for plan ahead meals from now on?

Let me know by leaving a comment below.