Emilie Meyer
Cooking chicken breast cubes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to add protein to your meal. With a variety of seasoning options and a short cook time, this recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. The key to success is to cut the chicken into evenly sized cubes, coat them in oil and spices, and cook them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. The result is juicy, tender chicken that can be added to salads, tacos, rice bowls, or pasta.
How to cook chicken breast cubes in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, spices (e.g. Italian dressing, adobo seasoning, dried Italian herbs, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper), cornstarch, vinegar |
| Preparation | Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes, combine with other ingredients in a bowl and coat thoroughly, marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or overnight |
| Cooking Method | Preheat air fryer to 375-400°F, spray basket with oil, add chicken in a single layer, cook for 6-12 minutes at 375-400°F, shaking or flipping halfway through |
| Serving Suggestions | Salads, rice bowls, tacos, pasta, dips |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, freeze raw cubed and seasoned chicken for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut chicken breast into cubes
To cut chicken breast into cubes, you'll need a good cutting board and a sharp knife. Before you begin, wipe the chicken breast with a paper towel to dry the surface, making it less slippery. Then, cut the chicken into slices or strips, and place the slices horizontally on the cutting board. Cut the slices into cubes of your desired size.
If you're preparing a large batch of chicken breasts, cutting them up can take upwards of 20-30 minutes, and your wrist may get sore. To speed up the process, use a sharp knife and hold the chicken with your hand (wash your hands thoroughly afterward). You can also wear disposable gloves.
Once you've cut up your chicken breast, you can cook the cubes in an air fryer. First, preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. Then, combine the chicken with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme in a large bowl. Stir the chicken until it's fully coated. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The chicken is done when it's browned and cooked through, with an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
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Marinating the chicken cubes
Next, cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. It is important to ensure the pieces are cut into equal sizes for even cooking. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears on a plastic cutting board for easy clean-up. If you are using chicken tenderloins, be sure to remove the tendon first. Add the cubed chicken to the mixing bowl and toss until the chicken is thoroughly coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken to an airtight container.
Now, place the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate. It is recommended to let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to overnight for better flavour absorption. The longer you let the chicken sit in the marinade, the more flavourful it will be. If you are short on time, you can skip this step, but marinating will enhance the flavour of your chicken cubes.
Finally, after the chicken has finished marinating, you can proceed to cook the chicken in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F and spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray. Place the marinated chicken cubes in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook for 6-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken cubes, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
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Best oil to use for chicken breast cubes
When cooking chicken breast cubes in an air fryer, you can use a variety of oils to ensure the chicken is moist and the seasonings adhere well.
Extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice for air-fried chicken breast cubes. Brushing or misting the chicken with olive oil before adding seasonings ensures they stick to the meat. Olive oil is also used in spice blends, along with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme.
Other oils that can be used include canola oil, avocado oil, and peanut oil. These oils have high smoke points, which means they can withstand the high temperatures of air frying without burning and adding an unpleasant taste to the food.
It is important to note that the type of oil used can impact the flavor and texture of the chicken breast cubes. For example, olive oil is known for its fruity and slightly pungent flavor, which can complement the flavors of the seasonings used. Additionally, using oil helps to create a crispy, golden brown crust on the chicken, a texture that is desirable in "fried" foods.
When preparing chicken breast cubes in an air fryer, it is recommended to cut the chicken into equal-sized pieces for even cooking. The oil and seasonings should be combined with the chicken in a large bowl before placing the chicken in the air fryer basket.
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Spices and seasonings to use
When it comes to spices and seasonings, you have a lot of options to choose from to customise your chicken breast cubes. A simple option is to use olive oil and your choice of seasoning, ensuring each piece of chicken is well-coated. You can use any oil you prefer, including olive, avocado, or another high-heat oil.
Some popular spice and seasoning options include:
- Cajun seasoning
- Poultry seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Adobo seasoning
- Dried herbs, such as Italian herbs, thyme, parsley, tarragon, oregano, or herbs de Provence
- Smoked paprika or regular paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Brown sugar or granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
You can also try marinating the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight for better flavour absorption.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for chicken breast cubes in an air fryer will depend on the size of the cubes and the model of the air fryer. It is important to keep a close eye on the chicken as it cooks, as air fryer models and sizes of chicken cubes will cause variance in cooking times.
It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. The ideal temperature for this is 380°F for 5 minutes, although some recipes suggest preheating at 400°F for 4-5 minutes.
Once the chicken has been added to the air fryer, the temperature should be reduced. Suggested temperatures for cooking vary between 375°F and 415°F. The cooking time will depend on the temperature used, but it generally takes between 7 and 13 minutes. It is important to shake or flip the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly.
Chicken breast cubes are cooked when their internal temperature reaches 165°F. It is important not to overcook chicken breasts as they are notorious for drying out.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 10-12 minutes to cook chicken breast cubes in an air fryer.
You should cook chicken breast cubes at 375-400°F.
Cut the chicken into 1-1.5 inch cubes. Add olive oil, avocado oil, or another high-heat oil, and spices to a large bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl and stir until the chicken is coated.
Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Add the chicken to the basket in a single layer. Cook for 7-11 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
