Name: AIR FRYER CHICKEN BITES
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1.5 lbs; 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons lemon zest

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These air fryer chicken bites are tender, juicy chicken pieces bursting with flavor from the aromatic herbs and the zest of a lemon. The lemon zest is an absolute game changer, adding a bright, citrusy kick that takes the dish to a new level. Once you’ve experienced these air fryer chicken bites with their incredible taste and effortless preparation, you will find yourself craving them all the time. They are just that good! Dip them in your favorite sauces, toss them on top of a salad, serve them with rice and vegetables, or savor them on their own.

Why You Will Love Air Fryer Chicken Bites

These chicken bites are easy to make and cook quickly.
Chicken bites are the perfect size.
They are delicious on their own or as an addition to many dishes and salads.
The seasonings and lemon zest give them incredible flavor.
These chicken bites are great for meal prep!

What Are Chicken Bites?

Chicken bites are made by cutting chicken into small bite-sized pieces. Then, the chicken bites are seasoned and cooked in the air fryer. They are so effortless to prepare and cook quickly in the air fryer. Chicken bites are so versatile! They are delicious on their own and make a great addition to many meals.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Chicken: Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small cubes for this recipe.
Olive Oil: Toss the chicken bites in olive oil so the seasonings stick.
Garlic: Crush fresh cloves of garlic for flavor.
Herbs: Chop fresh rosemary and thyme. Also, add dried oregano. The herbs add incredible flavor to the chicken.
Salt and Pepper: Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Lemon Zest: The lemon zest elevates the flavor of these chicken bites.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2: Finely chop the fresh rosemary and thyme. Or, use dried herbs.

Step 3: Pat dry the chicken. Then, cut the chicken into small 1-2 inch cubes.

Step 4: Add the chicken cubes to a large bowl. Then, add the olive oil and mix.

After that, add the garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon zest to the bowl. Next, thoroughly mix.

Step 5: Add a parchment paper liner to the air fryer basket. Then, add the chicken bites. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.

Step 6: Air fry the chicken bites until fully cooked and flip them halfway through.

Step 7: Carefully remove the fully cooked chicken bites from the air fryer. Then, let them cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

How Long To Air Fry Chicken Bites

Air fry chicken bites for 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C) or until they are fully cooked. These chicken bites are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Also, flip the chicken bites halfway through for even cooking.

Expert Tips

Evenly Cut The Chicken: Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate in the air fryer.
Seasonings: Coat the chicken in olive oil and then add the seasonings. Thoroughly mix so the chicken bites are evenly seasoned.
Zest The Lemon: Don’t skip the lemon zest. It adds so much flavor to these chicken bites. The lemon zest adds another layer of flavor and brings them to the next level. When zesting a lemon, avoid the pith, the white part, and zest the yellow parts of the peel.
Add Parchment Paper: Place a parchment paper liner in the air fryer basket before adding the chicken. It makes it much easier to clean your air fryer.
Fully Cook The Chicken: Ensure the chicken bites are fully cooked before serving them. Avoid overcooking the chicken, as this may cause it to dry out, but make sure it is fully cooked. You can check if the chicken is cooked by inserting a meat thermometer and checking that the internal temperature is 165°F. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of the chicken bites.
Flip The Chicken: Flip chicken bites halfway through cooking. It helps ensure they evenly cook on both sides and have a golden brown exterior.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Enjoy these air fryer chicken bites on their own or with a variety of dishes. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:

Dipping Sauce: Dip these chicken bites in your favorite dipping sauce, such as our buffalo ranch sauce.
Salad: Add these chicken bites to salads for added protein and flavor. Try them on our Caesar salad.
Tacos: Make chicken tacos and add your favorite toppings.
Rice and Vegetables: Enjoy them with cooked rice and roasted vegetables.

How To Store and Reheat Chicken Bites

Storing: You can store leftover fully cooked chicken bites. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheating: Enjoy these cooked chicken bites cold on a salad or reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes. Or, reheat them in the oven until warm or in the microwave.

Variations

Herbs: We recommend using fresh herbs in this recipe, but if you don’t have them, you can substitute them for dried herbs. Just use half the amount of each herb if you use dried herbs.
Garlic: We crushed two fresh garlic cloves. If you don’t have garlic cloves, you can substitute them for 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Add A Kick Of Heat: Add a dash of chili powder or ground cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. For a slightly spicy and smoky flavor, add some smoked paprika.
More Chicken Bites: Double this recipe to make more chicken bites. If you make more, cook them in batches in your air fryer and enjoy them within 3-4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Use Fresh Herbs?

Fresh herbs enhance the flavors of these air fryer chicken bites. The fresh rosemary and thyme add a vibrant and earthy flavor to the chicken.

What If I Don’t Have Fresh Herbs?

We recommend finely chopping fresh herbs for the best flavor. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs. If you use dried herbs, reduce the amount by half. Also, don’t forget the lemon zest, it adds another layer of dimension to these chicken bites!

Why Add Lemon Zest?

Adding lemon zest up-levels these chicken bites and enhances the flavor. It brightens the flavors of this recipe. It adds a fresh, zesty, and citrusy kick to these chicken bites.

How Do You Fix Dry Chicken Bites?

Don’t cut the chicken bites too small, or they may dry out. Cut them into 1 to 2-inch cubes. Also, to ensure your chicken bites aren’t dry, don’t overcook them in the air fryer. However, make sure they are fully cooked before eating them. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer so the chicken bites have room to cook. Also, flipping the chicken bites halfway through helps them cook evenly.

How Long Do Chicken Bites Last?

If you have any leftover fully cooked chicken bites, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Can I Freeze Chicken Bites?

Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken bites. First, allow the chicken bites to fully cool. Then, add them to freezer-safe bags and freeze for 1-2 months.

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