Crispy and flavorful air fryer chicken bites, perfect for a quick snack or a main dish. Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
Servings 4servings
Course Main Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites
1lbboneless, skinless chicken breastscut into bite-sized pieces
1cuppanko breadcrumbsfor extra crunch
½cupall-purpose flourfor dredging
2largeeggsbeaten
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoononion powder
1teaspoonpaprikasmoked or sweet
½teaspoonsaltadjust to taste
¼teaspoonblack pepperfreshly ground
¼cupgrated Parmesan cheeseoptional for added flavor
2tablespoonolive oilfor drizzling
Method
Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and makes them easy to eat.
Set Up Breading Station
In one bowl, place the all-purpose flour. In a second bowl, beat the eggs until well combined. In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
Bread the Chicken
Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the chicken.
Repeat this process for all chicken pieces and place them on a baking sheet. This triple-dipping method creates a crispy outer layer when cooked.
Preheat and Cook in Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps to achieve a crispy texture.
Once preheated, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Arrange the breaded chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve
Once cooked, remove the chicken bites from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk for 30 minutes before breading. You can also experiment with different spices in the breadcrumb mixture to customize the flavor.