K.M.
I agree with Bug on the crockpot and the casserole idea. Chicken does get a funky taste ... often when it's still attached to the bone it's better vs. breast meat.
My husband works nights, so I usually prepare him a plate and leave it in the fridge for him to nuke when he gets home.
Lately, I have been leaning towards eating more chicken. He likes the food, but says that the microwave gives it a funny taste and kills the texture.
I'm wondering if there is maybe a better way to heat chicken... Maybe a microwave setting or doing it in the oven without drying it out. (Preferably microwave... He is usually pretty hungry when he gets home, so if it takes too long to re heat he is likely to snack out before it's done. Lol.)
Any advice?
P.s. leaving it heated somewhere isn't an option, as he gets home around 5 am...
I agree with Bug on the crockpot and the casserole idea. Chicken does get a funky taste ... often when it's still attached to the bone it's better vs. breast meat.
Wrapping it in a moist paper towel before reheating will help.
Whenever I'm reheating poultry in the microwave I always add a bit of water on top to help it keep it's moisture. I also have been known to drape a moistened paper towel around it to help it keep its juices and flavors as well. I usually do not have an issue with the meat either drying out nor the texture being different. I also only use chicken breast or turkey breast meat.
Let him... heat it up the way HE wants.
Some people don't like microwave heating/warming up.
Some don't care.
Let him, heat it up himself, when he gets home, at 5:00am.
Other than microwave heating/warming up, he can put it in a skillet.
Or toaster oven. Or oven.
It is up to him.
Since he, does not like microwave heated food.
Either way, any non-microwave heating, WILL take longer.
It just is.
And that is his, choice.
Even if he is very hungry when he gets home.
Heating things traditionally, will take longer.
It just is.
I have a plate cover that I bought at Walmart to warm up stuff in the microwave. I have heated up chicken many times and it is usually moist and tasty. It is some kind of plastic and is vented. I know, some people don't like plastic. Anyway, covering it with a moist paper towel is a good suggestion too.
Another "keep it moist" vote. Also, I find it works better if you re-heat it a little longer at a lower setting (60% power works well for most things).
Either put another plate upside down on top or heat it in a tupperware container so it keeps all the moisture in that container while heating. That should keep it from getting dried out and crappy tasting.
Yeah, the microwave ruins chicken!! Do you have a crockpot? You could put in on low, and it would be warm for him. Since it's low and slow, it wouldn't dry out. Crockpots now have a "warm" setting, that just keeps it warm and not cooks it. You could put it on that setting when you go to bed, if you don't go too early.
ETA: You could also cook casseroles. They tend to heat up better then pieces of chicken.
When I reheat chicken in the microwave I heat it at 50-60% power for a longer period than at 100%. It seems to not affect the texture as much. I also make sure it is covered. I also like to cut it up so that it heats more quickly.