Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Bites recipe delivers flavorful, tender, and juicy chicken pieces cooked to perfection in just minutes. With a blend of Cajun and aromatic spices, these chicken bites make a perfect quick snack or main course that's easy to prepare and health-conscious thanks to air frying.
Ingredients
Chicken Bites
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning Mix
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning (such as Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere's)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat a 5-quart air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and place them in a medium-sized bowl.
- Coat with Oil: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the chicken pieces and stir well to evenly coat all the pieces in the oil for better spice adhesion and crispiness.
- Season Chicken: Add the Cajun seasoning, granulated sugar, kosher salt, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, poultry seasoning, dried thyme, and dried parsley flakes to the bowl. Mix thoroughly to coat all the chicken evenly with the spices.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Chicken in Basket: Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation.
- Air Fry Chicken: Cook the chicken bites for 7 to 11 minutes at 380°F, shaking the basket or flipping the pieces every few minutes for even cooking.
- Check Doneness: The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify.
- Serve: Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model and size of chicken pieces; always check for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure safety.
- For a milder flavor, omit the red pepper flakes and sugar.
- You can double or halve the recipe depending on serving needs; just cook in batches if your air fryer basket can’t fit all pieces at once.
- Leftover chicken bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
