Air fryer chicken bites cook up in only 10 minutes! These little air fryer chicken nuggets can be served on a salad, with pasta, or simply with your favorite dipping sauce.
Cooking chicken in the air fryer is just so quick, easy, and it turns out delicious. I've been experimenting with these air fryer chicken bites for a few weeks, and honestly? They've come out perfect every time.
The outside gets a TINY bit crispy from the cornstarch (not too much though, just adds a little texture), and the inside is just so juicy. The juiciness reminds me of a Chick-fil-A chicken nugget. It's amazing.
So I've been making these chicken bites to serve on salads, in bowls, with dipping sauces, and I've even just put them on top of pasta.
The air fried chicken bites are also kid-friendly without having too much breading. The small size means you can serve as many or as few as you want!
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
Ingredients
- Chicken breast
- Olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Cornstarch
How to make air fryer chicken bites
Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
While air fryer preheats, cut chicken breast into 1 inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
Add oil and seasonings and toss to combine.
Add cornstarch and toss to combine (if you don't want to use cornstarch, simply leave out this step).
Brush or spray air fryer basket with oil, then add chicken bites in a single layer.
Air fry at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, shaking basket after 5 minutes.
Serve however you like!
Yum. Juicy chicken nugget goodness.
Recipe tips
- Cook time will depend on how big you cut your chicken. If you cut larger/smaller than 1 inch, you may need to adjust cooking times.
- You can leave off the cornstarch if you like. I enjoy the bit of texture it gives to the chicken bites, but it is delicious without as well.
- The chicken bites will serve 1 or 2, depending on how you use them. The recipe is also easy to double.
How to customize
You can absolutely customize with different seasonings and spices! Here are a few ideas.
- Swap out the smoked paprika for regular paprika or chili powder
- Add dried herbs like herbs de Provence, oregano, or dried tarragon
- Add curry powder and serve with a yogurt sauce
What to serve with the air fried chicken bites
I absolutely love serving these chicken bites with a dipping sauce. A few of my favorite dipping sauces to enjoy with the chicken bites are:
Air fryer chicken recipes
- Air fryer caprese chicken
- Air fryer buffalo chicken bites
- Air fryer parmesan crusted chicken
- Air fryer panko chicken
- Air fryer thinly sliced chicken breast
- Air fryer chicken fajitas
- Air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- Air fryer bone in chicken thighs
- Air fryer French fried onion chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounce chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- Olive oil for brushing or spraying onto the basket
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
- Dice chicken into 1 inch cubes and add to a large bowl. Add olive oil, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Stir until chicken is coated in seasonings.
- Add cornstarch. Stir until all chicken pieces are coated in cornstarch.
- Brush or spray oil onto the air fryer basket. Add chicken bites in a single layer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F, tossing after 5 minutes.
- Remove from air fryer and enjoy as desired.
Notes
- Cook time will depend on how big you cut your chicken. If you cut larger/smaller than 1 inch, you may need to adjust cooking times.
- You can leave off the cornstarch if you like. I enjoy the bit of texture it gives to the chicken bites, but it is delicious without as well.
- The chicken bites will serve 1 or 2, depending on how you use them. The recipe is also easy to double.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
Elly
I made this exactly as written and wasn't really a fan. I think the smoked paprika overpowered all of the other flavors. I think the recipe has potential, but again, think maybe the paprika should be cut back. Thanks.
Aimee
Thanks for the comment and trying it! I'm a huge fan of smoked paprika, but the flavor can be strong. If you try it again, then yes, replace it with a different seasoning, reduce the amount, or leave out. :)
Rachel D
Followed this recipe exactly and IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE! So juicy and flavorful!! and so SIMPLE 🤩