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These boneless air fryer chicken bites are golden brown and crispy, with minimal ingredients and just 9 minutes per batch in the air fryer! Serve these boneless chicken bites with a dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer or with veggies for a complete meal!
You guys, these bite sized chicken pieces couldn’t be easier to prepare in the air fryer. We’ve been enjoying them as an appetizer with Cajun remoulade sauce, but you could easily make a meal out of them.
I think these air fryer chicken nuggets would be delicious served with crispy roasted mini potatoes and some sous vide broccoli. You could even add them to salads or grain bowls for a healthy lunch.
These chicken bites are simply coated with flour and seasonings, so they come together quickly and easily without any heavy breading, just like these air fryer steak bites.
If you’re looking for crispier panko breaded chicken, check out these air fryer chicken tenders!
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Why this air fryer chicken bites recipe works
- The fried chicken bites require minimal oil to get crispy so they’re not greasy.
- You just need flour, parmesan cheese and a few simple seasonings like garlic powder and black pepper (which are pantry staples) to make this recipe without breading
- You don’t need to turn on your stove to cook these chicken bites, and they air fry quickly, with a cook time of just 7-9 minutes. They're the perfect healthy snack or meal for busy weeknights!
- The seasonings can be adjusted to make them your own if you prefer.
Read more about whether you need to thaw chicken before air frying.
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More air fryer chicken recipes
Ingredients
For the full list of ingredients and quantities, please see the recipe card below.
We use chicken thighs for this recipe, cut into bite sized pieces. I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they’re easier to cut into pieces, but you can use bone-in if that’s all you have. You can also substitute chicken breast if preferred.
The chicken is coated in a mixture of flour, seasonings and parmesan cheese.
If you don’t have smoked paprika, any kind of paprika will do.
Make sure the parmesan cheese is finely grated so it mixes in with the flour and seasoning easily.
Variations and substitutions
- Substitute chicken breast for the chicken thighs if preferred. Note the results will be slightly drier if using chicken breast.
- Use any kind of seasoning you like in place of the seasonings here. Try a homemade Creole seasoning, blackened seasoning, taco seasoning, Montreal chicken/steak seasoning, Italian seasoning, lemon pepper or any other kind you like.
- Add dried herbs like thyme, basil or cilantro to the seasoning mix. You can also add red pepper flakes or a touch of chili powder for some heat.
Step by step instructions
- Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a bowl and mix together. Place the chicken pieces in the bowl and mix to fully coat the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Arrange the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, being careful not to overlap so all the sides get crisped. *You'll likely need to cook the chicken in 2 batches.
- Spray the chicken lightly with oil then cook at 390°F degrees for 7-9 minutes. *The chicken should register at 165°F degrees when done.
Remove from the air fryer and arrange the chicken bites on a plate and serve with your favorite dipping sauce (ranch, remoulade, ketchup, etc.).
Recipe tips to make chicken bites in the air fryer
- To get the chicken crispy, you’ll need to lightly spray them with oil. I don’t recommend using non-stick cooking spray. Use an oil sprayer and fill it with your favorite oil.
- For even cooking, the chicken bites should be cut in roughly the same size pieces and air fried in a single layer. This may require cooking them in more than one batch.
- To get crispy edges, be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer. You don’t want your chicken pieces to overlap. Arrange the chicken in an even layer for best results.
- If you cut your chicken into larger pieces, you will need to increase the air frying time.
- If the chicken bites start to brown too much on one side, you can flip them over.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken bites as they will dry out. They’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F degrees. I like to check with a meat thermometer to be sure.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the first batch of chicken bites.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Serving options for boneless chicken bites
- While we love them with Cajun remoulade sauce, they’re also delicious coated in this sweet and tangy bbq sauce.
- Serve them with sour cream mashed potatoes or Instant Pot Jasmine rice.
- Pair them with veggies like these Instant Pot carrots, sous vide green beans or honey roasted parsnips.
Common questions
While I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders. Just note that thighs will be more tender and juicy.
Boneless chicken bites take just 7-9 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Keep in mind that this may vary depending on how large your chicken pieces are. If your air fryer is small, you will also need to factor in time to air fry two batches.
The most common reason for rubbery chicken is overcooking. Once your chicken is cooked through, make sure to promptly remove it from the air fryer to prevent overcooking.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs to make this recipe, but I recommend defrosting them first. The flour and seasoning will stick to the chicken better if it is thawed.
If you have leftovers, just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
To reheat, just place them in the air fryer and air fry them at 350°F degrees for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.
More air fryer recipes
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut in bite sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika substitute any paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a bowl and mix together.
- Place the chicken pieces in the bowl and mix to fully coat the chicken.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer basket lightly with oil.
- Place the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, being careful not to overlap so all the sides get crisped. (You'll likely need to cook the chicken in 2 batches).
- Spray the chicken lightly with oil then cook at 390°F for 7-9 minutes. The chicken should register at 165°F when done.
- Remove and serve with dipping sauce (ranch, remoulade, ketchup, etc.).
Expert Tips:
- To get the chicken crispy, you’ll need to lightly spray them with oil. I don’t recommend using cooking spray. Use an oil sprayer and fill it with your favorite oil.
- For even cooking, the chicken bites should be cut in roughly the same size pieces and air fried in a single layer. This may require cooking them in more than one batch.
- To get crispy edges, be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer. You don’t want your chicken pieces to overlap.
- If you cut your chicken into larger pieces, you will need to increase the air frying time.
- If the chicken bites start to brown too much on one side, you can flip them over.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken bites as they will dry out. They’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F degrees. I like to check with a meat thermometer to be sure.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the first batch of chicken bites.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Nutrition
Krisyi says
I love how easy these were and the kids gobbled them up!
Danielle says
So glad to hear it!