Air Fryer Chicken Bites (No Breading!)

These air fryer chicken bites turn out tender and juicy every single time – and they are so versatile! You can make them ahead of time, use them for meal prep alongside this Burrito Bowl, or just pop one in your mouth for a quick and delicious snack. These chicken bites in air fryer are totally foolproof!

Why you’ll love this recipe

I used to think cooking chicken in the air fryer would dry it out, but it actually turns out tender and juicy – and cooks in about half the time of the oven. Since I eat a lot of chicken during the week, these air fryer chicken bites quickly became one of my favorite easy meal prep options.

• Faster: The air fryer cooks these chicken bites in about half the time it would take in the oven. I love pairing them with these Super Crispy Ninja Airfryer Roast Potatoes when I can’t bother cooking.
• Healthier: Skipping heavy breading and using chicken breast keeps these chicken pieces in air fryer lower in fat and calories than traditional deep-fried versions. If you want to avoid the deep fryer, try these Quick & Easy Boom Boom Shrimp.
• Meal-prep friendly & versatile: Make a batch ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for easy meals all week. Use the chicken bites in salads, tacos, rice bowls, wraps, or enjoy them as a quick high-protein snack.

If you love using your airfryer, try these easy recipes; Air Fryer Steak Bites with Garlic Butter, Air Fryer Salmon Bites and Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast: I like to use chicken breast since it is low in fat and high in protein – exactly why I use it in this 30-Minute Cream of Mushroom Chicken too. And by cutting the chicken into smaller cubes, it cooks even faster in the air fryer.
• Cajun seasoning: This is my favorite seasoning for air fryer chicken bites (and for Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer!) because of the salt and spice.  But feel free to add whatever type of seasoning you prefer.
• Cornflour: Cornflour is important for helping the diced chicken in air fryer get a nice crisp outside without any breading.

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

There are a few different variations or adaptations you can make in order to create a recipe that is perfect for you:

• Chicken thighs vs chicken breast: If you like chicken thighs more than chicken breast, then for sure trade out the breasts for thighs. You can use either to make this High Protein Dense Bean Salad (with Chicken), too.
• Try other seasonings: You can also change up the seasonings.  I love Cajun, but it would be perfectly fine to try out an Italian, Mexican, or any other seasoning blend if you prefer.  That is the beauty of chicken in the air fryer, you can make it taste any way you want.
• Gluten free: These air fryer chicken bites are already gluten free as long as you choose cornflour and seasonings that are gluten free. Paired with this Creamy Rice with Garlic & Parmesan? Yum!

How to make air fryer chicken bites

1. Start by slicing the chicken into 3 cm bite sized pieces (Image 1)
2. Add the chicken bites into a bowl and coat the spices, seasoning and salt and pepper. Add the oil and stir to combine (Image 2). 

3. Evenly distribute the chicken pieces, ensuring there is space between them to prevent steaming. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces (Image 3). 

4. Season with flakey salt and crack of black pepper. An optional squeeze of lemon is also a great addition (Image 4).

Pair this air fryer chicken bites recipe with one of these side dishes: Creamy Polenta with Parmesan, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe or Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob.

How to Cook Diced or Cubed Chicken in the Air Fryer

Air fryer chicken bites are just diced or cubed chicken cooked quickly at high heat, which is why this method works so well for juicy results. Cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces helps them cook fast & evenly (whether you call them chicken bites, chunks, or chicken pieces). Aim for pieces about 2-3 cm (1-1½ inches) wide so they stay tender without drying out.

Cooking time depends mostly on the size of the air fryer chicken breast bites. Small diced chicken cooks in about 5-6 minutes, while slightly larger chunks may need 7-9 minutes. I always cook at 200°C (400°F) and shake the basket halfway through so the chicken browns evenly instead of steaming. Leaving space between the pieces is KEY for getting that lightly crisp exterior.

How do you know when cubed chicken is done?

The most reliable way is to check the internal temperature. Chicken pieces are fully cooked when they reach 74°C (165°F) in the center. The outside should be lightly golden and the juices should run clear. If the chicken feels firm or rubbery, it’s overcooked (so just reduce the time slightly next batch).

This method works for chicken breast or thighs and is brilliant for meal prep because diced chicken reheats quickly without drying out. Once cooked, you can toss these air fryer chicken bites in salads, rice bowls, wraps, tacos, or any quick high-protein meal during the week.

Serving Suggestions

Serve air fryer chicken bites as a meal or as a snack.  Since you can make them ahead of time and store them, you can use air fried chicken bites on just about anything. 

Try them with:

• Caesar Salad Dressing
• Crispy Chicken Wrap
• Airfryer Potatoes
• Airfryer Hash Browns 
• Frozen Jacket Potato in Air Fryer

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

One wonderful thing about these air fryer chicken bites having no breading is that it will not get soggy when you store them in the refrigerator.  Here are the specifications I would use for storage:

Refrigerator:  You can store these chicken bites in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Freezer:  The air fryer bites are freezer friendly in a regular freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container. You can also store them in a deep freezer for up to 1 year in an airtight container.

Reheat:  The best way to reheat these chicken breast bites is in the air fryer.  Just hit the reheat button or set the air fryer to 200℃ (390℉) and air fry chicken bites for 4 minutes or until the bites are heated through.

FAQs

Here are some other chicken meal prep recipes you’ll love: Greek Chicken Bowls, The Best Chicken Meal Prep (over 50g protein!) and Mini Chicken Pot Pies.