Cody Casey
Cooking cubed chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty, healthy meal. It's a versatile dish that can be used in salads, rice bowls, tacos, and more. The chicken is cooked in under 20 minutes and can be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs to suit your taste. The key to getting juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken is ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F without overcooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350°F to 400°F |
| Time | 7-15 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 165°F |
| Oil | Olive oil |
| Seasoning | Cajun, poultry seasoning, dried thyme, dried parsley flakes, salt, granulated sugar, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes |
| Sides | Sweet potato fries, roasted green beans with carrots, carrot salad with raisins, rice, lettuce |
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$9.99
What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking temperature and time for cubed chicken in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken pieces, the quantity, and the type, size, and wattage of the air fryer. Small diced chicken will cook quicker than larger chunks. It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
For juicy and flavorful chicken cubes, preheat the air fryer to 380°F–400°F for 5 minutes. Place the chicken cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7–11 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the chicken halfway through for even cooking. The chicken is cooked when it is browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
If you are using chicken thighs, trim off any excess fat and cut them into equal-sized pieces. For chicken cubes coated with panko crumbs, cook the chicken for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, and then place the sauced chicken back in the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes.
If the chicken has not been seasoned before freezing, cook it in the air fryer for 5 minutes, and then season the diced chicken and put it back in the air fryer. This will take 10–15 minutes if the chicken is cut into 1–2 inch bite-size pieces, and 15–20 minutes if the chicken is frozen. The chicken is cooked when the inside is no longer pink, it is tender, and the outside is golden brown.
Leftover chicken can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes.
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Chicken preparation
To cook juicy and flavourful cubed chicken in an air fryer, start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken breast, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins. If you're using chicken thighs, trim off any excess fat before cutting.
Next, season the chicken pieces. You can use a variety of seasonings like olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Cajun seasoning. Simply toss the chicken in a bowl with the desired seasonings to coat. You can also add a tablespoon of butter to the bowl and stir to coat the chicken in it.
After seasoning, you can add a coating to the chicken pieces. One option is to use panko crumbs, which will give the chicken a crispy texture. Alternatively, you can coat them in corn starch, grated Parmesan cheese, or breadcrumbs for a crispy finish.
Once your chicken is seasoned and coated, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F for about 5 minutes. Then, cook the chicken bites for 7-11 minutes, shaking or flipping the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces and the type of air fryer you are using.
The chicken bites are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with no pink meat on the inside. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two before serving. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful air-fried chicken bites!
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Seasoning and spices
A simple and classic option is to season the chicken with salt and pepper. You can also add other dried herbs and spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, or red pepper flakes for a kick of spice. If you want to add a touch of sweetness to balance out the other spices, you can include some granulated sugar. For a more complex flavour profile, you can try using a blend of spices like Cajun seasoning, peri peri, jerk seasoning, or fajita seasoning.
If you're looking for a breaded option, you can coat the cubed chicken in panko crumbs, which will give it a crispy texture. Before adding the panko, toss the chicken in a bowl with olive oil and your desired seasonings to ensure that the flavours coat each piece of chicken evenly.
For a saucy option, you can toss the chicken cubes in buffalo sauce or coat them in a buttery lemon garlic sauce. If you're feeling cheesy, add some grated Parmesan to the chicken in the last few minutes of cooking.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning and spices for cubed chicken in the air fryer, so feel free to get creative and find your perfect flavour combination!
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Reheating and storing
Cooked chicken cubes can be stored in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. They will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days. It is important to store them in an airtight container. When you are ready to reheat the chicken, do not take it straight from the fridge. Allow it to come to room temperature first. This will allow the inside to cook thoroughly without letting the outer crust get too darkly browned.
To reheat chicken cubes in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) or 375°F. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer, leaving enough space between each piece for optimal hot air circulation. Reheat for 5 to 8 minutes. Turn the pieces with tongs and reheat for another 5 minutes or until thoroughly warmed through. The chicken is ready when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
You can also reheat chicken cubes in the microwave for 1 to 1:30 minutes, in a toaster oven for 4 to 7 minutes, or on the stove in 10 minutes.
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Serving suggestions
Once cooked, air fryer chicken bites can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions:
Salads
Chicken cubes can be added to any salad for some extra protein. They go particularly well with a green salad, or a carrot salad with raisins.
Rice
Chicken bites can be served with rice, or used to make a rice bowl with veggies and a fried egg, drizzled with Italian dressing.
Tacos
Wrap the chicken in tortillas and top with salsa and cheese, or add to hard-shell tacos.
Pasta
Chicken bites can be served on top of pasta, or used as a replacement for chicken nuggets for kids.
Dipping Sauces
Chicken bites can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as buffalo, BBQ, or ranch dressing.
Sides
Chicken bites can be served with a variety of sides, such as sweet potato fries, roasted green beans, or carrots.
Spices and Sauces
Before serving, you can dial up the heat with a sprinkle of chili powder or a dash of hot sauce. You could also toss the cooked chicken bites in a teriyaki or sweet chili sauce, or whip up some buffalo chicken bites by tossing the chicken cubes in buffalo sauce. For a smoky flavor, swap Cajun seasoning for BBQ seasoning.
Reheating
Leftover chicken bites can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days and reheated in the air fryer or microwave. They can also be frozen for up to three months.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook cubed chicken in an air fryer at 380°F to 400°F for 7 to 11 minutes.
The chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can check this with a meat thermometer. The outside of the chicken should be golden brown and crispy.
Before cooking, coat the chicken with olive oil and season with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can also experiment with different seasonings like Cajun, BBQ, or jerk seasoning.
Yes, you can store leftover chicken cubes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
