With tons of flavor and juicy centers, I know you'll want to add these air fryer chicken bites without breading to your weekly menu! Both an adult and kid-friendly quick dinner idea, they have few ingredients, minimal prep time and come together in just 20 minutes!
Have a peek at my air fryer mozzarella chicken and my sage rosemary chicken for more easy weeknight dinner ideas!
Much like my air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs and air fryer pesto chicken, this recipe is so good for two reasons: it's full of flavor and so fast! Made with a handful of ingredients, it's all ready in about 20 minutes.
Enjoy these high protein air fryer chicken breast bites as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, in lettuce wraps or with a fresh salad in summer, or paired with my air fryer root veggies and perhaps some rice, potatoes or quinoa for a heartier dinner. They're so versatile!
Check out my air fryer chicken and potatoes and my air fryer frozen cod fillets for more quick family dinner recipes!
Jump to:
⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Family friendly recipe. This is the quick dinner recipe that both my dad and the kids in my family will eat up with no complaints!
Chicken nuggets sub! Love a bit of comfort food, but want a lighter homemade recipe and less ingredients? These air fryer chicken breast bites with no breading are such a good swap!
Minimal ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts and some spices from the pantry are all we need.
🐓 Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
Some notes on a few of them:
- Chicken breasts - we use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
- Paprika - if you're here for low histamine recipes, then I suggest to use sweet paprika which scores 0 on the SIGHI list. If not, then you can also use regular or smoked paprika.
- Italian seasoning - using mixed herbs gives so much flavor, but if you're out then have a peek at my Italian seasoning substitutes for more ideas!
- Garlic powder - just a sprinkle for a hum of aromatic heat.
📖 Swaps and variations
Swap Italian seasoning for other herbs. Choose from mixed herbs, thyme or parsley to flavor the chicken.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making these air fryer chicken bites is so easy, uses minimal ingredients and puts dinner on the table fast!
All the instructions are set out in the recipe card below, but these step by step photos should help guide you.
Step 1: Dice the chicken breasts
Dice your boneless skinless chicken breasts into small bite-size cubes, about an inch thick (image 1).
Step 2: Add herbs and spice!
Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt and optional black pepper over the chicken cubes. Toss to combine, so the chicken is evenly coated (image 2).
Step 3: Add to your air fryer basket
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray (I use olive oil spray), then use tongs to place the chicken cubes in an even layer with a little room between them to allow for the air to circulate (image 3).
Step 4: Air fry the chicken cubes
Air fry the boneless chicken bites for 10-12 minutes, giving the basket a good shake about half way through cook time so the bites get evenly heated through (image 4). Check for an internal temperature of 165F / 75C at the deepest point of the chicken, using a meat thermometer. Air fry for longer, if needed.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Dice the boneless chicken into bites of a similar size to allow for an even cook time.
- For extra flavor, you can cover the seasoned chicken cubes and set aside in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket! Arrange the chicken bites in an even layer, with room between them. I use a dual basket air fryer and use both baskets for this quantity of chicken, but if you have a smaller air fryer you may want to work in batches.
- Make sure to check for an internal temperature of 165F for safe cooking of your chicken!
🥗 How to serve
These air fried chicken bites are such a versatile recipe, so pick your sides!
- Appetizer - if enjoying as an appetizer, I suggest to serve with a fun favorite dipping sauce - my paprika dip is so good!
- Salad topping - add these chicken bites to a salad, wraps, or to a 'bowl' dinner, perhaps my couscous buddha bowl, a grain or rice bowl.
- Side dishes - for a heartier dinner, serve with potatoes, quinoa, a grain or follow my guide to how to cook frozen cauliflower rice for a lower carb option. Veggie side dishes such as my air fryer baby corn and air fryer baby carrots add flavor and color!
❄️ Freezing advice
It's very easy to cook these chicken bites and then freeze for another meal. Simply allow to cool completely, then freeze in a sealed bag or container. The USDA recommends freezing cooked chicken for up to 4 months, but my low histamine readers may wish to read the SIGHI advice on freezing.
🍽 More chicken recipes
Find so many tasty chicken recipes including my turmeric chicken thighs and paprika chicken, as well as these recent recipes:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And I love to hear from you - so please do leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐ if you've tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 3-4 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked*
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper optional
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 390F / 200C.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towel, if required. Dice into small chunks of about an inch thick, so they are bite-size.
- Place the chicken bites into a bowl, drizzle on the olive oil and sprinkle in the paprika, Italian herb seasoning, garlic powder, salt and black pepper (if using). Use your hands to coat the chicken pieces in the oil, herbs and spice.
- Spray the air fryer basket with a little olive oil spray. Use tongs to place the chicken cubes into the air fryer basket in an even layer, with a little space between them. Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 390F / 200C, giving the basket a good shake about half way through cook time. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165F, air frying for longer if they haven't reached temperature.
Notes
- Dice the chicken into bite-size pieces of roughly the same size for an even cook time.
- Don't overcook the chicken. Of course, make sure it reaches 165F but don't overcook or you won't get juicy chicken!
- Nutritional information is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- Italian seasoning may contain herbs not noted on the SIGHI list, so use individual low histamine herbs if required.
- garlic powder, which scores 1.
- black pepper, which scores 2.
Tania says
So easy and tasty.
I cooked mine in a pan with peppers and added some cooked rice.
So nice to find good flavours on a low histamine diet.
Thank you 😊
Claire says
So glad you enjoyed them Tania, and love the sides of peppers and rice! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂