• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Savas Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • By Category
    • Ukrainian
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Soup
    • Sweet treats
  • About
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Chicken Bites

    Published: Mar 20, 2023 · Modified: Dec 5, 2023 by Nataliia

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy air fryer chicken bites are perfectly seasoned chicken pieces cooked in your air fryer to become a quick dinner, snack, or delicious appetizer. Serve them with a side of veggies, add to the salad, or dip them in your favorite sauce.

    Browned chicken bites in a pile on a white plate.
    Jump to:
    • Air fryer chicken bites recipe
    • Difference between chicken nuggets and chicken bites
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Recipe detailed instructions
    • Recipe tips
    • Serving ideas
    • Favorite Seasonings ideas
    • How to store and reheat
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Other air fryer chicken recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Air fryer chicken bites recipe

    We all have different preferences in our family when it comes to food. While my son and husband prefer breaded chicken, I like to have my dinner without extra carbs.

    Very often, when I make breaded cutlets for dinner, I set aside one chicken breast for myself to cook in the air fryer. 

    These delicious chicken bites are low-carb, gluten-free, and keto because I make them without breading. I only toss them in oil and flavorful seasoning. They always come out browned and juicy.

    You can even save the leftovers to pack for lunch the next day. I like this recipe because it's quick, mess-free, and versatile.

    By the way, you can also cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer, that's in case you forgot to thaw it.

    Difference between chicken nuggets and chicken bites

    Chicken bites are smaller than chicken nuggets. It takes about 2-3 bites to eat a chicken nugget.

    Nuggets are usually made with ground chicken and most of the time they are breaded. Chicken bites are made with 100% chicken meat such as breasts or thighs, and they can be breaded or not breaded. 

    Chicken bites can be a healthier alternative to nuggets.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    You can find the precise ingredients' quantities in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    • Chicken breasts: you will need boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs to make this recipe.
    • Olive oil: you will need a little bit of olive oil or avocado oil.
    • Seasonings: you can use any of your favorite chicken seasonings, homemade or store-bought. Today, I used salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and Chipotle powder.
    Recipe ingredients on a white surface: raw chicken breast, salt, oil, and spices.

    Recipe detailed instructions

    Step 1. Pat dry the chicken breast with a paper towel. Place it on a cutting board and cut the breast lengthwise into ½-1 inch strips. Then, cut each strip into bite-sized pieces.

    Raw chicken breast cut into strips lengthwise and then into bite-sized pieces.

    Step 2. Place the bites into the medium bowl and add olive oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and Chipotle seasoning. Mix well with a spoon until each piece is coated well with the seasoning. You can let the meat rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature.

    Bite-size raw chicken pieces coated in spices in a glass bowl.

    Step 3. Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes. Arrange the chicken bites in a single layer and air fryer at 390 degrees F for about 7-11 minutes until the meat is browned and the internal temperature of the largest piece reaches, shaking it halfway through for even cooking.

    Cooked chunks of meat in air fryer basket with a thermometer inserted in one of the pieces.

    Recipe tips

    • For the best results, cut the chicken into even pieces, and just do not make them too small.
    • Experiment with different seasonings.
    • Do not overcrowd the air fryer, cook in 2 batches if needed.
    • Check the internal temperature of the chicken using the meat thermometer.
    • I used a Ninja air fryer to make this recipe, you may need to adjust the cooking time if using a different air fryer.
    • As an option, you can coat them in corn starch, panko breadcrumbs, or grated Parmesan cheese to make them extra crispy.

    Serving ideas

    You can make it a complete meal by serving these chicken bites with a side of sweet potato fries, roasted green beans with carrots, or rice. 

    Serve it as an appetizer or a snack with your favorite dipping sauce, such as buffalo, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing.

    Cubed cooked chicken on a white plate garnished with diced green scallions on a white plate.

    Favorite Seasonings ideas

    • Chill-lime
    • Butter garlic
    • Lemon pepper
    • Cajun seasoning
    • Taco seasoning

    How to store and reheat

    Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

    You can easily freeze them for up to 3 months.

    It is safe to store raw seasoned chicken in a fridge for up to 24 hours. 

    The easiest way to reheat the bites is in the air fryer or microwave oven.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long to cook chicken bites in the air fryer?

    Depending on the air fryer type, cooking temperature and the size of the chicken pieces, the chicken bites take about 7-12 minutes to cook, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

    Can I cook frozen chicken bites in the air fryer?

    Yes, you can cook frozen chicken bites in an air fryer without thawing. Cook them in the air fryer for about 11-15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

    How to reheat chicken bites in the air fryer?

    Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray. Place cold chicken bites on a tray and reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. 

    Other air fryer chicken recipes

    • Boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer
    • Air fryer chicken drumsticks
    • Air fryer chicken wings
    • Air fryer quick chicken fajitas

    📖 Recipe

    Browned chicken chunks in a pile on a white plate.

    Air Fryer Chicken Bites

    Nataliia
    Easy air fryer chicken bites are perfectly seasoned chicken pieces cooked in your air fryer to become a quick dinner, snack, or delicious appetizer. Serve them with a side of veggies, add to the salad, or dip them in your favorite sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, lunch, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 173 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Air fryer
    • measuring spoons
    • 1 medium bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ea large chicken breast
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt or more by taste
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Chipotle or Chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Pat dry the chicken breast and cut it into bite-size pieces.
    • In a medium bowl, add chicken bites,1 Tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon Chipotle or Chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well coated.
    • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. Arrange the chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390°F for about 7-11 minutes, shaking the chicken halfway though the cooking time. The chicken is cooked when it is no longer pink inside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

    Notes

    • Cook the chicken in to even pieces.
    • Experiment with different seasonings.
    • Serve with a side of vegetables, rice or with your favorite dipping sauce.
    • All nutrition information is only estimate and calculated using the calorie counting application.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcalProtein: 21.3gFat: 9.5gSodium: 333.5mg
    Keyword air fryer chicken bites
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Air Fryer

    • Cooked chicken fajitas with onions and peppers in a white plate garnished with chopped green cilantro and half of the lime on the side.
      Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
    • Mashed potato croquettes shaped as balls on a white plate drizzled with ketchup on top and sprinkled with fresh dill.
      Mashed Potato Croquettes In Air Fryer
    • Roasted red beet pieces in air fryer basket with fresh parsley on top.
      Quick Air Fryer Roasted Beets
    • Air fried risotto arancini balls in a white bowl garnished with pieces of green parsley.
      Air Fryer Risotto Balls (Italian Rice Arancini)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sava's kitchen female author wearing an apron standing in the kitchen.

    Welcome! I'm Nataliia, the home cook and recipe developer behind Sava's Kitchen. With a passion for cooking from the heart, I offer approachable recipes that celebrate the versatility of ingredients and the world of flavors.

    More about Nataliia →

    Popular

    • Roasted pieces of golden beets on a dish with a sprig of fresh thyme on top.
      Roasted Golden Beets
    • Arugula Salad With Beets and Goat Cheese
    • Whole roasted beets on a parchment paper.
      Oven Roasted Whole Beets Without Foil
    • Yellow split pea soup in a white bowl with a spoon in it.
      Yellow Split Pea Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Sava's Kitchen

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • About

    Copyright © 2023 SAVA'S KITCHEN ON FOODIE PRO THEME

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT