Air Fryer Chicken Cubes: Timing For Perfection

Air fryer chicken cubes are a fast and easy way to make chicken for any meal. They are tender, juicy, and the perfect finger food or simple addition to any meal. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders to make chicken cubes for the air fryer. The key is to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, which will cook much faster in the air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer, the temperature, and the size of the chicken pieces, but typically chicken cubes will take around 7-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to season chicken cubes for the air fryer

There are many ways to season chicken cubes for the air fryer. Here is a guide on how to do it, followed by some specific examples of seasonings you can use.

General Instructions

• Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. You can also use chicken thighs or tenders, but make sure the chicken is boneless and skinless.
• Combine the chicken cubes with your desired seasonings in a large bowl. You can use a variety of spices, oils, and acids to create different flavour profiles.
• Stir the chicken well to ensure it is evenly coated with the seasonings.
• Place the chicken cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
• Cook at 350-400°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking process. The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on your specific air fryer and the size of your chicken cubes.

Specific Seasoning Ideas

• Taco seasoning: Omit the dried thyme and add 1-2 teaspoons of taco seasoning.
• Italian seasoning: Omit the paprika and dried thyme. Add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
• Greek seasoning: Omit the paprika and dried thyme. Add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon of oregano. You can also use red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
• Ranch seasoning: Omit the paprika and thyme. Add 1 tablespoon of dried chives, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill.
• Cajun seasoning: Add 1-2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning to the spice blend.
• Curry seasoning: Omit the dried thyme and paprika. Add 2 teaspoons of curry powder and 1 teaspoon of ground cumin. You can use lime juice instead of apple cider vinegar.
• Everything bagel seasoning: Omit the dried thyme and paprika. Add 1 tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning.
• Spicy kick: Add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to give your chicken a spicy kick.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of spices and seasonings to find your favourite flavours!

How long to cook chicken cubes in the air fryer

Chicken cubes are a great, quick option for a tasty meal, snack or appetizer. They can be served with a variety of sides, dips and sauces, or used as a salad or wrap filling.

Preparation

Firstly, cut your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. You can also use chicken tenders, which will save time as they are quicker to cut up. You can also prepare your chicken in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Next, add your chosen oil and spices. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil. For spices, you can keep it simple with salt, paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Or, you can experiment with Italian, Greek, ranch, taco, or curry blends. You can also add an egg wash and a cornstarch coating for extra crispiness.

Cooking

Once your chicken is prepared, it's time to cook! Place your chicken cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Set your air fryer to between 375F and 400F. The higher the temperature, the shorter the cooking time, but be careful not to overcook the chicken, as this will make it tough. Aim for around 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—the chicken is cooked when it reaches 165°F.

Serving

Chicken cubes are very versatile and can be served in many ways. You can eat them as they are, perhaps with your favourite sauce for dipping. Or, you can add them to a salad, wrap, taco, or rice bowl. They can also be served with sides such as sweet potato fries, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.

Storing and Reheating

Chicken cubes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. To reheat, use the air fryer or microwave, heating until warmed through.

How to store leftover chicken cubes

Leftover chicken cubes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. However, make sure the chicken has cooled completely before putting it in the freezer.

To reheat the chicken cubes, you can use the air fryer again, setting it to 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or use a microwave or toaster oven for 1-1:30 minutes and 4-7 minutes, respectively.

When storing chicken in the refrigerator, it is important to follow food safety guidelines. The USDA recommends that meat-based broths be consumed within 3-4 days, while some packaged chicken broths suggest use within 7 days.

To extend the shelf life of chicken cubes even further, you can freeze them in freezer-safe bags or containers. This will allow you to keep the chicken for 2-3 months. When freezing, it is helpful to label the bags or containers with the date, content, and amount, so you know when it was stored and how much you have.

When it comes to thawing frozen chicken, you can either place the chicken cubes in a pot on low heat or put them in a bowl or bag in the refrigerator. If you need to thaw them more quickly, you can place the bowl or bag on the counter. Once the chicken has started to thaw, break it into smaller pieces and continue heating until it is fully thawed.

How to reheat chicken cubes

Reheating chicken cubes in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation:

Firstly, ensure that you are using an air fryer-safe container, such as a basket or tray, that can fit inside the air fryer. If you are using a basket, ensure it is non-stick or sprayed with a non-stick coating like olive oil or avocado oil.

Reheating:

Place the chicken cubes in a single layer on the container. If you have a large quantity, you may need to reheat in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set the air fryer to 350°F and place the container inside. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through.

Tips:

• It is important not to overcook the chicken cubes, as this will result in dry and tough meat.
• For best results, ensure the chicken cubes are evenly sized before cooking.
• You can also reheat chicken cubes in a microwave or toaster oven, but the air fryer will give the best crispy texture.

Storing and Freezing:

Leftover chicken cubes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When freezing, it is best to use a freezer-safe container or bag.

Reheating from Frozen:

To reheat frozen chicken cubes in the air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before consuming.

Serving Suggestions:

These air fryer chicken cubes are versatile and can be served as a snack, appetizer, or part of a main course. Serve them with a dipping sauce, such as BBQ, honey mustard, or ranch, or add them to wraps, salads, bowls, or tacos.

Enjoy your perfectly reheated chicken cubes!

How to cut chicken into cubes

To cut chicken into cubes, you will need a sharp chef knife and a plastic cutting board. Before you begin, decide how large you want your chicken cubes to be, as this will depend on your recipe and chosen cooking method. Larger cubes are better suited for slow cookers, while smaller cubes are ideal for pasta or salad.

Next, wash the chicken and remove any fat from the fillets. If you're cutting chicken breast into cubes, place the chicken breast with the smooth side up. If you're cutting chicken thighs, place the fillet in front of you.

Now, you can start cutting the chicken into strips. For chicken breasts, apply some pressure to the top of the breast fillet and cut horizontally, starting at the thickest part and ending at the thinnest. Try to make the cut as even as possible, so you end up with two pieces of similar thickness. Then, cut 3-4 evenly spaced strips from the thickest part of the fillet. For chicken thighs, simply cut down the centre of the fillet to create two strips.

Finally, cut the strips into cubes. Be careful not to make the cubes too small, as they will shrink during cooking.

Frequently asked questions