Air Fryer Chicken Bites
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My air fryer chicken bites recipe has the best seasoning blend and yields crispy, golden-brown, JUICY chicken every time. Ready in under 10 minutes!
Table of Contents
Why I make air fryer chicken bites on repeat
Whenever I’m feeling rushed or need a low-effort weeknight dinner, I make these air fryer chicken bites. It’s the fastest way I’ve found to cook bite-sized chicken, and cleanup is minimal- no extra pan or splatter to deal with.
I toss chopped chicken breast with a simple spice blend, then air fry until the chicken is juicy with crisp, lightly charred edges. Here’s why I love them:
- Versatile. I’ve used these in rice bowls, wraps, and chopped salads. They stay crispy even after tossing with various sauces.
- Customizable. The base seasoning is mild, so you can easily add extra spices without overpowering the chicken.
- Fast. From cutting the chicken to pulling it from the air fryer, this takes about 8 to 10 minutes total.
- Minimal oil. Just one tablespoon coats four servings- enough to crisp edges without deep frying.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into these chicken bites, along with kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts. Diced into one-inch cubes. Some grocery stores sell it pre-chopped.
- Olive oil. Just enough to toss the chicken in. Feel free to use any oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Seasonings. I used Italian seasoning, cumin, and smoked paprika.
- Salt. To taste.
How to cook chicken bites in the air fryer
Prep. Preheat the oven and combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Toss to coat.
Air fry. Place the chicken chunks in a single layer in the greased air fryer basket. Air fry until fully cooked, flipping midway through.
Repeat. Continue air frying until all of the chicken is cooked.
Serve the chicken with dipping sauces of sauces or as a protein addition to your main dishes.
Can I use frozen chicken bites?
Yes, I’ve tested them straight from frozen (when I was testing my air fryer frozen chicken breast). Increase the cook time by 3 to 5 minutes, depending on size. Keep the temperature the same. Cooking it at a higher temperature will brown the outside too quickly before the center reaches 165°F.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use other cuts of chicken. I tested this with chopped skinless chicken thighs, and they worked well. Just increase the cook time by 2 to 3 minutes since thighs take slightly longer than breasts. Check for 165°F in the thickest part.
- Use a meat thermometer. The spice crust tends to darken quite quickly, so color isn’t a reliable indicator of doneness. Always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (or 160°F if you rest them for 5 minutes).
- Switch up the seasonings. I’ve tested adding 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder to the blend for extra depth of flavor without overpowering the base spices.
- Add sugar. While optional, 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar in the seasoning blend will balance out the spices and give the chicken an even crispier bite.
Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast 450g, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil 15ml
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 9g
- 1 teaspoon cumin 2.5g
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2.5g
- 1/2 teaspoon salt 3g
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the diced chicken, olive oil, Italian seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Grease the air fryer basket and add a single layer of the chicken. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Repeat the process until all the chicken is cooked up.
Notes
- Serving size: One portion is approximately 3.6 ounces (97 grams).
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days (covered) or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
More easy air fryer chicken recipes
- I love air fryer BBQ chicken over salads, in wraps, or even on its own.
- Air fryer chicken nuggets achieve maximum crispiness without excess oil.
- I make my family air fryer chicken drumsticks at least once a week.
- Air fryer frozen chicken wings are a staple, thanks to all the wings in my freezer!
Can you make in oven? No air fryer!
Yes you can Linda! Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
So quick and easy dinner. Chicken is the best meat.
Thanks for the feedback, Mario! 🙂
Just made this for dinner! Delish and easy!
Thanks, Alisa!
Hello Arman- we enjoyed this for dinner tonight and it was perfect over homemade poke bowls!!
Yum!!! Love that.
Arman, I just made these air fryer chicken bites and they are sensational!!!! I had to make a second batch straight away.