My air fryer chicken bites are juicy, flavorful, and packed with the perfect blend of seasoning in every bite. I serve them with plenty of sauces for dipping, and my kids always go crazy for this easy dinner!
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My Favorite Way to Make Chicken Bites in the Air Fryer
When my kids were little, they were obsessed with chicken nuggets (and they still are). So I started experimenting with homemade versions that eventually led to my amazing air fryer chicken bites!
But, it took a little while to get there. For my first few attempts, I tried baking them, but the chicken always came out a little too soft. My kids were very so-so about them, especially my son Connor.
Breading and pan-frying got me closer to classic chicken bites, but they always made a mess and weren’t the healthiest. My kids loved it, and I still make that version, but it’s more of a special occasion meal than a weeknight dinner staple.
Then I finally tried making chicken bites in the air fryer, and my kids went crazy for them! I served the chicken bites with plenty of sauces for dipping, and I don’t think my kids even noticed they weren’t breaded. Now, whenever they ask me for chicken nuggets, this is what I make!
And, if you love air fryer chicken recipes, try my recipes for air fryer chicken wings, air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer fried chicken, air fryer chicken drumsticks, and air fryer chicken breast.
Air Fry Chicken Bites Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – I go for boneless, skinless to make my life easier and cut each breast into 1-inch thick pieces. Cut chicken thighs will as a substitute.
- Olive oil – This helps the seasonings stick and gets that amazing brown crispiness on the outside of each piece of chicken. Any other neutral oil will work too.
- Cajun seasoning – I use 1 teaspoon if I’m making this meal for the whole family and increase up to a tablespoon in the recipe if I’m cooking for just me and my husband and want to dial up the spice!
- Italian seasoning – This adds a herby layer that balances out the spice. I use a blend that includes salt and black pepper.
- Garlic powder – I like that garlic powders are quicker to use than mincing fresh garlic but still add that savory flavor to the air fryer chicken bites.
- Onion powder – This rounds out the seasonings with some sweetness and depth.
How to Cook Chicken Bites in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch thick pieces and place them in a large bowl.
STEP THREE: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken, then toss them until the oil coats the chicken evenly. This will help the seasonings stick to the chicken.
STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the chicken with Cajun seasoning, starting with 1 to 3 teaspoons and adjusting to taste preference, then the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss again so thel chicken is evenly coated.
STEP FIVE: Place the chicken bites in the air fryer in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary. Air fry them for 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- I adjust the Cajun seasoning based on how hot I want the bites to be. I start with 1 teaspoon and increase up to a tablespoon for more kick!
- I try to cut the chicken chunks into evenly sized pieces so they all cook at the same rate. If the pieces are all different sizes, the smaller chicken bites end up tough and overcooked.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. I only cook as much chicken as I can fit in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping.
- I try to serve air fried chicken bites immediately for the best taste and texture.
cubed Chicken in the Air Fryer Variations and Substitutions
- I like to put different sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or ketchup in little bowls for everyone to dip. My kids love it!
- To dial up the heat, I add a sprinkle of chili powder or a dash of hot sauce before serving.
- When I want to go Asian-inspired, I toss the cooked chicken bites in a teriyaki or sweet chili sauce.
- My husband loves when I whip up buffalo chicken bites by tossing the chicken cubes in buffalo sauce.
- For a boost of flavor, I like to throw some paprika into the seasoning mix.
- To make them cheesy, I sometimes add some grated Parmesan in the last 3 minutes of air frying.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Breast Bites
I always have plenty of sauces ready to go with my air fryer chicken bites. Some sauces I’ve tried and taste great are my 2 ingredient BBQ sauce, ketchup, ranch, homemade buffalo sauce, honey mustard, and honey sriracha sauce!
For some tasty sides, I usually whip up air fryer rice, chicken caesar salad, or air fryer French fries!
Air Fryer Chicken Bites FAQs
How to store leftover chicken bites
I always let my leftover air fryer chicken bites fully cool to avoid any condensation that could make them soggy. After that, I store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for 3-4 days and make a quick protein option for lunches!
How to reheat leftover chicken bites in the air fryer
To reheat chicken bites, I preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, then pop them in for 3-4 minutes until crispy and heated all the way through.
Why aren’t my air fryer chicken bites crispy?
If my bites aren’t crisping up the way I want, it usually means the basket was too crowded or I didn’t use enough oil. I make sure to work in batches and give the chicken bites a good toss in oil before air frying.
What sauces go with air fryer chicken bites
My chicken bites are super versatile and go with just about any sauce I have on hand. My kids go for honey mustard or ketchup, but I’m partial to ranch, buffalo, garlic Parmesan sauce, or barbecue. I’ll also use them in wraps with tzatziki or drizzle them with hot honey if I’m feeling fancy.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer meatloaf
- Air fryer Italian sausage
- Air fryer hot dogs
- Air fryer steak bites
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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch thick pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 to 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- While it preheats, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch thick pieces and place the bite-sized pieces in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken chunks and then toss them so the oil coats the chicken evenly.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning (start with 1 to 3 teaspoons, and adjust to taste preference), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken.
- Toss again so that the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Place the chicken in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket.
- Air-fry the chicken for 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the pieces are golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning based on how hot you want the bites to be. Start with 1 teaspoon and increase up to a tablespoon for more kick!
- Cut the chicken chunks into evenly sized pieces so they all cook at the same rate. If the pieces are all different sizes, the smaller chicken bites end up tough and overcooked.Â
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Only cook as much chicken as can fit in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for 3-4 minutes until crispy and heated through.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
What can I use to replace spicy herbs as I am allergic to pepper, peppers, paprika.
I would use a mix of italian herbs, garlic powder, and onion powder. Something like this chicken tenders seasoning with the paprika and cayenne pepper omitted. https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders-no-breading/