Air Fryer Chicken Bites (No Breading!)
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These mouthwatering air fryer chicken bites turn out tender and juicy every time. And they are so versatile. You can make them ahead of time, use them for meal prep, or just pop one in your mouth for a quick and delicious snack.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
I was always skeptical about cooking chicken in the airfryer as I thought it would dry out. But low and behold, the air fryer cooks everything in half the time of the oven. Plus it uses way less energy and the meals turn out just as good if not better!
And I eat loads of chicken throughout the week. So when I realized I could make chicken bites air fryer style, and in half the time, I was ecstatic! I can’t wait for you to try out this recipe too!
Faster – The air fryer is one of the greatest tools to have in your kitchen because of how quickly it cooks food. You can make these chicken bites in the air fryer in half the time it would take in the oven.
Healthier – Skipping the breading, cooking in the air fryer, and using chicken breast make these air fryer chicken breast bites lower in fat and calories than traditional breaded deep fried chicken bites.
Make Ahead – You can make these ahead of time to store in the refrigerator or freezer. Then just pull them out when you need them and use them with just about any type of meal from tacos to salads.
Versatile – Make these mouthwatering chicken bites with any seasoning or sauce you prefer, store them for later use, place them on salads, in tacos, in rice bowls, and so much more! The possibilities are vast!
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
Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer?
You can absolutely put raw chicken in the air fryer! As a matter of fact, air fryer chicken is my favorite way to meal-prep chicken for the week. I make it at least twice every week to eat after workouts and on salads. Using the air fryer is fast, creates perfectly cooked chicken every time, and there is very little clean up.
And with this recipe you are using smaller chunks of chicken so they air fry faster than if you were air frying an entire breast.
Ingredients
Chicken Breast – I like to use chicken breast since it is low in fat and high in protein. By cutting the chicken into smaller cubes, it cooks even faster in the air fryer.
Cajun Seasoning – This is my favorite seasoning because of the salt and spice. But feel free to add whatever type of seasoning you prefer.
Cornflour – Cornflour is important for helping the air fried chicken bites get a nice crisp outside.
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. First, if you like chicken thighs more than chicken breast, then for sure trade out the breasts for thighs.
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.
These air fryer chicken bites are gluten free as long as you choose cornflour and seasonings that are gluten free.
Serve the salmon with some tasty side dishes; Cauliflower Rice, Gochujang Aubergine and High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
How to make air fryer chicken bites
- Start by slicing the chicken into 3 cm bite sized pieces (Image 1)
- 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 for an even tastier meal: Creamy Polenta with Parmesan, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe or Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob
Tips for the best result
- Be sure to use the cornflour (cornstarch). It is necessary for crispiest chicken bites.
- Cooking times will vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken bites.
- Preheating your airfryer ensures that you get the best sear/colouring on the chicken without overcooking it. This provides the best flavour and texture.
Pair these chicken bites with my : Airfryer Potatoes, Airfryer Hash Browns and Frozen Jacket Potato in Air Fryer
How To Serve Chicken Bites
Serve 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. I often add them to the following meals:
- Salads and try: Caesar Salad Dressing
- Tacos
- Rice bowls including my Burrito Bowl
- Make up a Crispy Chicken Wrap with these chicken bites.
- Stir fry
- Or I just eat them straight out of the fridge for a high protein healthy snack.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Bites with No Breading
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 Storage: You can store these chicken bites in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer Storage: These 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 Instructions: 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.
How to Make Ahead for Meal Prep
In order to make these ahead of time for meal prep, follow the normal cooking instructions for the recipe. Then store the air fryer bites in individual containers or bags specific for the meal for which you plan on using them and store them according to the storage guidelines above. When you are ready, you can add the air fried chicken bites to your meal.
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
FAQs
Does the chicken need to marinate before cooking?
There is nothing wrong with marinating your chicken before cooking it. However, for this particular recipe, there is no marinating needed.
Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer or don’t want to use your air fryer, then you can make these chicken bites in the oven or skillet.
If your chicken is rubbery it may be due to overcooking it. I suggest using a meat thermometer to check when the chicken is done to get it perfect. The chicken bites are done when they have an internal temperature of 74℃ (165℉)
If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Bites recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Chicken Bites in Airfryer
Ingredients
- 400 gram (2 chicken) breasts (£3.20)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil/Vegetable oil spray
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp cornflour
- Salt and pepper
Method
- Start by slicing the chicken into 3 cm bite sized pieces.
- Add the chicken bites into a bowl and coat the spices, seasoning and salt and pepper. Add the oil and stir to combine.
- 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.
- Season with flakey salt and crack of black pepper. An optional squeeze of lemon is also a great addition.
Notes
- Be sure to use the cornflour/cornstarch, this is necessary for crispy chicken bites.
- Cooking times will vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken bites.
Nutrition
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