Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Bites: Crispy & Quick (Print Version)

My easy Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Bites recipe turns humble chicken into golden, juicy morsels. Perfect for quick dinners or game day snacks.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 18 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Dairy-Free, Can be Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

→ Crispy Coating

02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)

→ Flavor Boosters

03 - 1 tbsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - 1 tsp salt
07 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ For Cooking

08 - Olive oil spray

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your boneless, skinless chicken breasts out. Pat them super dry with paper towels – this is a non-negotiable step for crispiness, seriously! Then, cut them into roughly 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Try to keep them uniform, because uneven pieces mean uneven cooking. I learned this the hard way, pulling out some perfectly golden pieces while others were still looking a bit... pale. Don't be like past me!
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This is your flavor powerhouse! Toss your chicken pieces in this mixture until they’re evenly coated. You want every bit covered, like a cozy little blanket. I usually use my hands for this, it’s a bit messy but ensures everything is coated just right. Shake off any excess flour.
03 - This step is often overlooked, but it's key for that immediate crisp! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. While it’s heating, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Don't skip this, or you'll be scraping later, and nobody wants that kind of kitchen drama. I didn't expect how much of a difference preheating makes!
04 - Carefully place the coated chicken bites in a single layer in your preheated air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd it! Overcrowding leads to steaming, not crisping, and we are going for maximum crisp here. You’ll probably need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Give each piece a light spray with more olive oil.
05 - Cook the chicken bites for 8-10 minutes, then flip them over. Give them another quick spray of olive oil and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C). This is where I always get excited, watching them turn that beautiful color! The smell at this stage is just *chef's kiss*.
06 - Once your Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Bites are perfectly golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Let them rest for a minute or two – this helps keep them juicy. Serve them immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. They look so inviting, a pile of golden nuggets, ready for dipping! I sometimes sprinkle a little fresh parsley for a pop of color, too.

# Notes:

01 - Always pat your chicken dry before coating; it's the secret to a truly crispy crust.
02 - Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, or your chicken will steam instead of getting golden and delicious.
03 - A quick spray of olive oil *after* flipping helps get both sides equally crispy and golden.
04 - Serve with your favorite dipping sauces for a customizable and fun meal experience.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Air fryer
02 - Large bowl
03 - Tongs
04 - Meat thermometer

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 35g

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