Air-Fryer Chicken Bites: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make chicken bites, perfect for a weeknight meal or a quick snack. You can use chicken breast, chicken thighs, or chicken tenders, and the bites can be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs to suit your taste. The key to making juicy chicken bites is to cut the chicken into small, evenly sized pieces and cook them in a single layer in the air fryer. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and doesn't dry out. You can also use cornstarch to help the chicken get crispy without breading.

Characteristics of Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Choosing your chicken

The first step to making delicious fried chicken bites in an air fryer is selecting the right chicken. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins. If you're looking for a high-protein, lower-calorie option, chicken breast or tenders are a great choice. On the other hand, chicken thighs tend to be more tender and moist, making them harder to overcook.

When selecting your chicken, look for pieces that are roughly the same size, as this will help ensure even cooking. You'll want to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, typically about 1-inch cubes. If you're short on time, you can also use chicken tenders, which are already in a similar shape and just need to be cut into chunks.

Another factor to consider is the amount of chicken you'll need. As a general guideline, aim for about 1 pound of chicken, which will yield a generous portion. However, you can easily scale the recipe up or down depending on how many people you're serving or your desired yield.

Once you've selected your chicken, you'll want to pat it dry and cut it into the desired size. You can also season the chicken with a variety of spices and herbs to suit your taste preferences. Common seasonings include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or cajun seasoning. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile.

In summary, choosing the right chicken for your air fryer fried chicken bites involves selecting the type of chicken (breast, thighs, or tenderloins), opting for pieces that are similar in size, and deciding on the desired amount. Don't forget to season your chicken generously to enhance the flavour!

Preparing your chicken

Firstly, you will need to cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Most recipes suggest cutting the chicken into 1-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces. You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins. It is important to ensure your chicken is boneless and skinless to allow for even cooking and to achieve the desired texture.

Once you have cut your chicken, place the pieces into a medium-sized bowl. At this point, you can add your chosen oil and spices to the bowl and stir to coat the chicken evenly. The oil will help the spices adhere to the chicken and prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use a variety of oils, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil. For spices, you can opt for a simple blend of salt and pepper, or get creative with Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley.

After your chicken is coated in oil and spices, it's time to arrange the pieces in the air fryer basket. Ensure you spray the basket with oil first to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, as this will affect cooking time and evenness.

Now your chicken is prepared and ready for the air fryer!

Choosing your seasoning

The fun part about making air fryer chicken bites is that you can get creative with the seasoning. You can use store-bought or homemade seasoning blends, or a combination of dried herbs and ground spices. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Italian Blend

For an Italian-inspired flavour, use a blend of dried Italian herbs such as oregano, basil, and parsley. You can also add some Italian dressing to your marinade for an extra punch of flavour.

Adobo Seasoning

Adobo is a Latin spice blend consisting of onion and garlic powders, salt, pepper, and other spices. It adds a savoury and slightly spicy kick to your chicken bites.

Cajun Seasoning

If you like it spicy, go for a Cajun seasoning blend. You can make your own by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.

Blackened Seasoning

For a smoky flavour, try a blackened seasoning blend. You can make your own by mixing smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme.

Taco Seasoning

Bring some Mexican flair to your chicken bites with taco seasoning. Combine chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.

Greek Seasoning

For a Mediterranean twist, use a Greek seasoning blend or a combination of Italian seasoning, oregano, and red wine vinegar in your marinade.

Ranch Seasoning

Give your chicken bites a creamy, herby flavour with a ranch seasoning blend. Combine dried chives, dried parsley, and dried dill.

Curry Powder

Take your taste buds on a trip to India by adding curry powder to your marinade. For even more flavour, also add ground cumin and use lime juice instead of vinegar.

Spicy Kick

If you like it hot, add some red pepper flakes to your seasoning blend. You can also use chili powder or a pre-made spice blend like chili seasoning or jerk seasoning.

Neutral Flavours

For a more neutral flavour profile that will go with any dish, stick to basic spices like salt, paprika, and dried thyme. You can also use olive oil and apple cider vinegar to create a well-balanced marinade.

Remember, the beauty of making your own chicken bites is that you can customise the seasoning to your liking. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your perfect blend.

Cooking your chicken

Now that you have your ingredients and your air fryer preheated, it's time to cook your chicken!

Firstly, cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use either chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins. Just make sure they are boneless and skinless. Cut the chicken into pieces about 1 inch in size.

Next, place the chicken pieces into a medium-sized bowl and add your chosen oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil. Stir the chicken until it is coated in the oil.

Now it's time to add your chosen seasonings. You can use any combination of spices that you like! Some popular options include Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, poultry seasoning, thyme, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add about 1-2 teaspoons of each spice, adjusting to your taste preferences. Stir the chicken until it is coated in the spices.

Once your chicken is seasoned, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Place the chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. If needed, cook the chicken in batches. Spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Cook the chicken at around 400°F for 7-11 minutes, shaking or flipping the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy air fryer chicken bites!

Serving your chicken

Now that your chicken bites are cooked, it's time to serve them! These chicken bites are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Main Dishes

• Serve the chicken bites with rice, beans, or sweet potatoes.
• Create a tasty grain bowl by adding the chicken bites to a bowl of rice, quinoa, or another grain of your choice, along with veggies and a fried egg. Drizzle with your favorite dressing or sauce.
• Make tacos by wrapping the chicken bites in tortillas and topping them with salsa and cheese.
• Add the chicken bites to salads for some extra protein. Try a house salad, Italian chopped salad, roasted artichoke and white bean salad, or a kale Caesar salad.

Sides

• Serve with a dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, garlic aioli, or spicy mayonnaise.
• Pair with air fryer potato wedges or an old-fashioned potato salad.
• Add a crunchy green salad or roasted vegetables as a side dish.

Storage and Reheating

• Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To freeze, place the cooked and cooled chicken bites in a freezer-safe container or bag and store for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, use an air fryer or microwave for quick lunches. You can also reheat in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions