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Microwaving McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets: The Ultimate Guide

Everybody knows that the chicken nuggets at McDonald’s are by far the best item on the menu. They are so much better than any burger that the company could ever offer, and that is why so many people order these every time that they visit the chain. 

One of the best things about McDonald’s is that they sell a 20 chicken nugget share box. Of course, you don’t have to share this box, and let’s face it, nobody does.

Microwaving McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets The Ultimate Guide

But, even if you tuck into this ginormous box of chicken nuggets for your lunch, the chances are that there will be some left over. It would be criminal to throw them in the trash, but you might not know what else to do with them. 

There is one easy way that you can avoid these delicious nuggets going to waste.

That is, to keep a hold of your leftovers, and reheat them when you feel like eating them. In this ultimate guide, we’ll be taking a look at how to microwave your McDonald’s chicken nuggets. So, to find out more, keep on reading. 

Is it Safe To Microwave Chicken Nuggets?

First things first, let’s take a look at whether, or not, this is a safe thing to do. In one word, yes, it is safe to microwave chicken nuggets, and this is something that people have been doing for a long time.

Not only for McDonald’s chicken nuggets, but for other types of chicken nuggets too. Chicken nuggets taste their best when they are freshly cooked, but they also taste pretty good when they are reheated. 

There are 2 aspects of safety that you have to consider when it comes to reheating chicken nuggets in the microwave.

The first being whether, or not, the nuggets will be safe to eat, and the second being whether, or not, it is safe to put the nuggets in the microwave in the first place. In both cases, it is perfectly safe to microwave your chicken nuggets.

That is assuming that you follow the instructions, and that the nuggets are thoroughly heated through once they have come out of the microwave. 

If the chicken nuggets are not warm through, then there is a risk that you could become ill with food poisoning. One of the first rules when it comes to reheating food, especially meat, is that it must be hot throughout, and that the food is not lukewarm.

If the food is neither hot nor cold, there is a risk that you could become ill from eating the chicken nuggets.

But, as long as your nuggets are hot, and that you do not put them in the microwave for too long, it is perfectly safe to microwave your chicken nuggets. 

Should You Microwave Chicken Nuggets?

So, it is perfectly safe to microwave your chicken nuggets, but just because it is safe to do this, doesn’t mean that you should. After all, you could add chocolate sauce to your chicken nuggets if you want to, but that doesn’t mean you should do it.

But, by all accounts, microwaving chicken nuggets is something that you should do. If you want warm and yummy chicken nuggets to enjoy, of course. 

There are lots of ways to reheat chicken nuggets, but using the microwave is one of the best. It is also one of the most convenient ways to do this, too.

You could reheat your chicken nuggets in the oven if you would prefer, but this takes a lot longer, and makes it harder to monitor how hot your chicken nuggets are getting.

When you reheat chicken nuggets in the microwave, you have a lot more control over the process. It is a lot easier to pull your plate full of chicken nuggets out of the microwave than it is to take them out of the oven, and that is why it is the best method. 

Most of the time, when you decide to reheat your chicken nuggets, you are not doing so because you fancy a full meal. Instead, you choose to do this because you want a snack and, let’s face it, who wants to spend ages reheating a snack in the oven.

This is why reheating your chicken nuggets in the microwave is a lot easier.

How Long Does it Take?

If you decide to microwave your chicken nuggets, then the first thing that you likely want to know is how long this will take. One of the best things about the microwave is that it is able to heat food through much quicker than the oven can.

So, something that would take the best part of 20-30 minutes to heat in the oven takes just a couple of minutes in the microwave. This is why the invention of the microwave was one of the best things to happen to modern cooking. 

The amount of time that it takes for your McDonald’s chicken nuggets to heat through depends on a number of factors.

This includes the heat settings of your microwave, and the temperature of your chicken nuggets when you put them in the microwave.

If you have frozen your chicken nuggets (because this is something that you can do), it will take significantly longer for your chicken nuggets to heat through in the microwave than it would if they were at room temperature. 

Something else that might influence the amount of time that it takes to reheat the chicken nuggets is the number of nuggets that you are reheating at that time. If you are just reheating one or two, then it will take less time for them to heat through.

But, if you are reheating closer to 15 nuggets, it will take significantly longer. Generally speaking, it takes around 30 seconds to 1 minute to reheat a handful of chicken nuggets, and this will increase as the number of nuggets increases.

How To Reheat Chicken Nuggets In The Microwave

Now that we’ve taken a look at how long it usually takes to reheat chicken nuggets, let’s take a look at how you do this. As we have said, reheating chicken nuggets in the microwave is really easy to do, and it only takes a couple of minutes. 

In order to microwave your McDonald’s chicken nuggets, the first thing that you need to do is get a microwave-safe plate. This will include any plates that are made of plastic, glass, or ceramic.

You should then add all the chicken nuggets that you want to reheat onto the plate.

You can reheat as many chicken nuggets as you want, but remember the time that it takes for them to heat through will increase as the number of nuggets on the plate increases. 

Make sure that the chicken nuggets are spaced out, then place them in the microwave. It is then best to heat them in 30 second intervals, checking every 30 seconds to see how hot the nuggets have got.

If you are reheating up to 5 nuggets, they should be warm within a minute and a half. But, if you are reheating closer to 20 nuggets, it could take up to 3 minutes for them to be warm through and ready to eat. 

Things You Should Know

As you can see, microwaving your McDonald’s chicken nuggets really is simple, but there are some other things that you should bear in mind when you do this. We’ve outlined them before. 

  • For better, crispier chicken nuggets, use a microwave crisper pan to reheat your chicken nuggets. Simply heat this plate in the microwave for up to 5 minutes, then add your chicken nuggets and follow the steps we outlined above. 
  • If you bring your chicken nuggets to room temperature before cooking (leave them out of the fridge for around 10 minutes), then they will reheat a lot quicker than if chilled. 
  • Flip the chicken nuggets throughout the reheating period if you are reheating multiple chicken nuggets. 
  • Never stack your nuggets, and ensure that they are not checking, this will ensure that the chicken nuggets are heated evenly throughout, making them a lot more delicious. 
  • Use a tea towel to remove the plate of chicken nuggets from the microwave because it will get incredibly hot during this period. 
  • Leave the chicken nuggets to rest for a minute before you eat them. This will ensure that they are not too hot, and will make them taste even better. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Make Chicken Nuggets Crispy In The Microwave?

Yes! You definitely can make chicken nuggets crispy in the microwave, and the best way to do this is to use a microwave crisper pan.

These dishes are specifically designed for making food that is reheated in the microwave crispy, so it will easily make your chicken nuggets nice and crispy too.

If you use this type of dish, make sure you heat it up before you add your chicken nuggets for the best results. 

How Do You Reheat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets?

The best way to reheat your leftover McDonald’s chicken nuggets is to use the microwave. Simply put your chicken nuggets on a microwave-safe plate, then reheat them in 30 second periods until they are heated through.

This can take anywhere between 1 and a half to 3 minutes, depending on the number of chicken nuggets you are reheating. 

How Long Does It Take To Reheat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets?

The best thing about reheating your McDonald’s chicken nuggets in the microwave is that it only takes a couple of minutes.

If you are reheating less than 5 nuggets, this could take just a minute, but if you are reheating a larger amount of chicken nuggets, it can take up to 3 minutes for them to heat through.

Jess Smith
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