Air Fryer Chicken Bites: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryer chicken bites are a quick, easy, and versatile meal that can be made in under 20 minutes. They're perfect for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or a party snack. The bites are made by coating bite-sized pieces of chicken in oil and spices, then cooking them in an air fryer for 7-12 minutes. You can serve them as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, in lettuce wraps, with rice or potatoes, or even frozen for later.

How long to air fryer chicken bites

How to season chicken bites

Firstly, cut your chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. You can also use chicken tenders or chicken thighs, but chicken breast is a great option for a high-protein, lower-calorie meal.

Next, prepare your seasoning. You can use any combination of spices and herbs you like. Some popular options include Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, blackening seasoning, lemon pepper, or BBQ seasoning. You can also get creative and make your own custom seasoning blend. For example, for a Cajun seasoning, you can mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought Italian dressing as a marinade and skip the dry seasoning.

Once you've chosen your seasoning, it's time to coat the chicken. You can simply toss the chicken pieces with the seasoning until they're evenly coated. Some recipes suggest adding cornstarch and salt before adding the seasoning, as this helps the chicken get crispy without using breadcrumbs.

After your chicken is seasoned, it's ready to be cooked in the air fryer. Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray them with avocado oil or another cooking spray. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken bites for 8 to 12 minutes, or until they're slightly crispy and cooked through.

And that's it! You now have delicious, juicy, and seasoned chicken bites that can be enjoyed as a snack or added to wraps, salads, or pasta dishes.

How to cook frozen chicken bites

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs of frozen boneless chicken bites
• Dipping sauce of your choice
• Avocado oil spray (optional)

Instructions:

• Remove the chicken from its packaging.
• Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. A little overlap is allowed, but do not overcrowd the basket.
• Spray the chicken with avocado oil (optional).
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through and crispy to your liking. Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
• Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.

Tips:

• If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 400°F before adding the chicken.
• For best results, air fry only the amount you need.
• If you have leftovers, let them cool down before storing them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for the best results.
• Do not overcrowd the basket when reheating. Place the chicken in a single layer and cook in batches if needed.
• Subsequent batches may cook faster because the air fryer is already preheated, so keep an eye on them.

How to store and reheat chicken bites

Chicken bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. To store them, let the chicken bites cool down, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze.

When you're ready to reheat your chicken bites, you can use an air fryer, oven, stovetop, or microwave. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:

Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F (175°C). Lightly coat the chicken bites with oil, then arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Reheat for around 3 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are crispy and heated through.

Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the chicken bites in a single layer on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Stovetop:

Place a skillet on medium heat and add a small amount of water or chicken broth to the pan. Once the water starts to shimmer, add the chicken bites in a single layer. Lower the heat and stir occasionally until they are heated through.

Microwave:

If you're short on time, you can use the microwave. Heat the chicken bites in short intervals of 15 seconds, checking on them regularly, until they are heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as this can dry out the chicken.

When reheating chicken bites, it's important to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety. Additionally, if you're reheating a large batch, you may need to do so in smaller batches to ensure even heating.

What to serve with chicken bites

Juicy air fryer chicken bites are versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas:

Main Dish

You can serve the chicken bites with rice, beans, or sweet potatoes. Accompany them with a green salad, Brussels sprouts, or green beans.

Tacos

Wrap the chicken bites in tortillas and top with salsa and cheese.

Bowls

Create a grain bowl with chicken, veggies, and a fried egg. Drizzle with Italian dressing.

Salads

Add the chicken bites to any salad for extra protein. They go well with a simple house salad, Italian chopped salad, roasted artichoke and white bean salad, or kale Caesar salad.

Wraps

Throw the chicken bites into wraps with your choice of sauce or dip.

Pasta

Use the chicken bites in one-pan dishes such as creamy gnocchi or baked tomato and feta pasta.

Sides

Serve the chicken bites with a side dish like sautéed kale, everyday roasted potatoes, gochujang roasted sweet potatoes, or fried rice.

Dipping Sauces

Enjoy the chicken bites with a dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, garlic aioli, or lemon tahini.

How to make chicken bites crispy

To make chicken bites crispy in an air fryer, it's important to note that the key is to ensure even cooking and to not overcook the chicken. Here are some detailed steps to achieve crispy chicken bites:

Preparation:

Firstly, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, around 1-inch cubes. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders/thighs for this recipe.

Seasoning:

In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings like Italian dressing, adobo seasoning, dried Italian herbs, salt, and even sazon seasoning for extra flavour. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly with the seasonings.

For a crispy texture without breading, you can add a light coating of cornstarch to the chicken pieces before adding the seasonings. This will help the chicken crisp up during cooking.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Cook the chicken bites for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the pieces with tongs halfway through. The chicken is ready when it is browned, crispy, and cooked through with an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

Serving:

These crispy chicken bites are versatile and can be served in wraps, salads, bowls, or simply enjoyed as-is with a dipping sauce.

Storage:

Leftover chicken bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. To reheat, use the air fryer at a lower temperature setting or the oven to prevent overcooking and drying out the chicken.

Now you can enjoy crispy, juicy, and delicious chicken bites prepared in your air fryer!

Frequently asked questions