Golden in color, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! These air fryer chicken bites are full of savory flavor. A quick, easy and healthy meal that everyone will love.
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Looking for a quick, healthy and incredibly delicious meal or snack that the whole family will devour? Then these amazing air fryer chicken bites are for you!
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Perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection in your air fryer, these bites are a real addition to busy weeknights, meal prep, or even a favorite appetizer. Get ready to discover your new favorite chicken recipe that’s as easy as it is filling!
Be sure to check out ours Chicken recipescontaining over 20 of our most popular chicken recipes for the whole family!
Why you will love this recipe
- Done quickly: You can have these delicious air fryer chicken bites on your table in less than 20 minutes!
- Healthy and slim: Made with lean chicken breast and just a little oil, they’re great when you want high protein and low fat.
- Easy to clean: With the air fryer, cleaning is much easier than deep frying or baking in the oven.
- Child friendly: Even picky eaters will enjoy these perfectly sized, soft bites.
- Use them anywhere: Eat them alone, in salads, wraps, or as a protein addition to any meal.
- Check these out Air fryer chicken nuggets for another quick and easy chicken recipe!
Ingredients and Substitutes
These are the ingredients and substitutions for these air fryer chicken bites. Scroll down to the recipe card below to see the full recipe.
First, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. If you only have frozen chicken, please thaw it completely beforehand. Chicken thighs also work well.
Season the chicken with the spices of your choice. We like to use sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin.
For a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or chili powder.
Spray the chicken pieces generously with olive oil spray. This will make them crispy when air fried.
Taste and texture
These air fryer chicken bites are juicy on the inside and seasoned until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
The hot air fryer creates a beautiful golden crust without deep-frying and keeps the delicious moisture inside.
The mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin gives them a savory, delicious flavor that everyone will like.
How to do it
Step 1
First, cut the chicken into equal 1-inch pieces.
Step 2
Toss the chicken with the spices until completely coated.
Step 3
Arrange in an even layer in your air fryer. Spray generously with olive oil spray.
Step 4
Air fry for 12 minutes, turning halfway through.
Step 5
Finally, remove the chicken pieces from the air fryer. Serve hot and fresh!
Expert tips for success
With these pro tips, it’s easy to make perfectly cooked, flavorful air fryer chicken bites.
- Make sure the chicken is dry: Before adding the seasonings, pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. This means the spices stick better and the chicken becomes crispier in the air fryer.
- A little warm-up helps: While not always necessary, preheating your air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the chicken can help ensure more even cooking and a crispier result right from the start.
- Give them a break: Once cooked, allow the chicken pieces to rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle in the chicken, making it even more tender and delicious.
- Check your air fryer: Every air fryer is a little different. The first time you make these, you should check the chicken a minute or two before the recommended time to make sure it isn’t overcooking in your particular machine.
Flavor variations and add-ins
While the classic spice blend is amazing, don’t be afraid to get creative with your air fryer chicken bites!
Here are more ways to change the taste:
- Sweet and sticky: Once cooked, toss the chicken pieces with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup or your favorite sweet chili sauce.
- Mediterranean twist: After cooking, add dried oregano, a pinch of dill, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright, zesty flavor.
- Garlic Parmesan: Mix the cooked chicken pieces with melted butter, chopped fresh garlic and grated Parmesan cheese. So good!
- Curry kick: Replace the cumin with curry powder and add a touch of turmeric for a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Spicy Buffalo: After air frying, add the hot chicken bites to your favorite dish Buffalo sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing.
How to serve and store it
You can enjoy these air fryer chicken bites in many different ways!
Make a quick skewer: Thread the cooked chicken pieces onto small skewers with cherry tomatoes, peppers or cheese cubes for a fun and easy snack or party food.
Boost Your Bowls: Add these tender bites to your favorite grain bowls, pasta bowls, or vegetable bowls for a healthy and satisfying meal. They fit in perfectly brown riceQuinoa or even couscous.
Quick Quesadilla Filler: Cut the chicken pieces into smaller pieces and use them as a delicious protein in quesadillas. grilled cheese sandwichesor even scrambled eggs.
Easy weeknight pasta: Stir them into your favorite pasta dish with some sauce and some vegetables for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Packing for lunch: These chicken bites are great for school or work Lunch! Pack them cold in a lunch box with a side of vegetables, fruit and a dip. They also taste great chilled.
As a main course: Serve with this roasted vegetablesA fresh saladRice or quinoa for a complete and healthy meal.
Starter or snack: They are perfect on their own with a dipping sauce (e.g. ketchup, honey mustard or BBQ sauce) for parties or after-school snacks.
Salad topper: Add them to your favorite green salad for a protein-packed and filling lunch.
Wraps & Tacos: Dice them smaller and use them as a delicious filling for wraps, tacos, etc Pitas.
Meal Prep Powerhouse: Cook a large batch at the beginning of the week to easily supplement your meals during your busy schedule. Check out ours Chicken meal prep ideas for easier recipes!
storage
Store leftovers: Store leftover air fryer chicken pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 minutes 4 days. They reheat beautifully in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up again.
Freeze for later (more details): To freeze, first spread the cooked and cooled chicken pieces on a tray or plate (without touching them) and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They last up to 2 to 3 months. Reheat frozen in the air fryer until completely warm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can gently toss the chicken pieces with a little olive oil or another cooking oil like avocado oil before adding the seasonings.
Absolutely! The spices here are a good start, but feel free to play around. You can use taco seasoning, Italian herbs, or just a simple mix of salt and pepper.
For even more crispiness, make sure your chicken pieces are patted very dry before seasoning. Also, don’t overfill the basket – cooking in smaller quantities allows for better air circulation. A generous drizzle of olive oil just before air frying also helps a lot!
Equipment needed
Air fryer: This basket style air fryer is great for making crispy chicken fillets.
Check out all of ours Kitchen favorites!
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