These quick and easy air fryer chicken bites are made with tender, boneless, skinless chicken breast and bold taco seasoning for a flavorful, high-protein dinner you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, they’re delicious and packed with flavor!
You’ll love this easy Air Fryer Chicken Bites recipe! They are the best unbreaded chicken nuggets ever! Made with chunks of juicy boneless chicken breast seasoned with olive oil and taco seasoning. They cook quickly in the air fryer in about 10 minutes for an easy weeknight protein, great for dipping, as a protein for rice bowls, or as a topping on salads.
Plus, these chicken bites are made with 4 ingredients and are versatile since you can easily switch up the seasoning. See variations below.
My family loves to dip them in ketchup, burger sauce, or tomato sauce.
We love cooking chicken breast in the air fryer for ultimate convenience since it is so quick. Try these air fryer boneless chicken breasts or air fryer chicken parmesan that we know you will also love!
This air fryer chicken recipe is so easy since the chicken cooks in the air fryer in about 10 minutes. Then you can enjoy it right away or store it and save it for later.
Jump to:
- Why you’ll love this chicken bites recipe
- Ingredients you’ll need for air fryer chicken bites
- Recommended kitchen tools
- How Do You Make Air Fryer Chicken Bites?
- Expert Tips For The Best Results
- How long do you cook chicken bites in the air fryer?
- Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Ways to serve air fryer chicken bites
- FAQs
- More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Why you’ll love this chicken bites recipe
- Easy to make in 15 minutes
- 4 simple ingredients
- Healthy, flavorful chicken breast
- Protein-packed
- Customizable
- Low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free
Ingredients you’ll need for air fryer chicken bites
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these juicy and delicious air fryer chicken bites. Here is what you’ll need:
- Chicken – I used boneless chicken breast cut into large chunks, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs.
- Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil to allow the seasoning to stick to the chicken and also help create a nice golden crust.
- Taco seasoning – I love Siete taco seasoning for convenience, or you can make your own homemade taco seasoning.
- Salt (optional) – use if using unsalted taco seasoning.
Recommended kitchen tools
- Knife + cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Air fryer
- Tongs
How Do You Make Air Fryer Chicken Bites?
To cook unbreaded chicken bites in the air fryer, you only need a few simple ingredients and about 10-15 minutes. Here is a summary of the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. Get the complete recipe with the full list of ingredients, detailed steps, and nutrition in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Add cubed chicken to a medium bowl and coat it with the oil and taco seasoning and salt, if needed.
Place the seasoned chicken bites into the air fryer in an even layer.
Cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes until cooked.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Tips For The Best Results
- Cut the chicken breast into 1.5-inch chunks so it cooks evenly.
- Use your favorite chicken seasoning. I chose to use taco seasoning, but any seasoning you like on chicken will work.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Place the chicken into the air fryer basket in an even layer so it cooks on all sides.
- Shake the chicken in the basket halfway through the cooking time for crispier chicken bites.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving. 5 minutes should do the trick.
How long do you cook chicken bites in the air fryer?
Chicken bites made from boneless chicken breast will take about 10 minutes to fully cook in the air fryer. If you are using boneless chicken thighs, they will take a bit longer to cook since they are denser and have more fat.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Garlic and herb – coat the chicken in oil, then a mix of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for Italian chicken bites.
- Ranch seasoned – coat the chicken in oil and ranch seasoning for ranch-style chicken bites.
- Buffalo chicken bites – coat the chicken in your favorite buffalo sauce for a spicier version.
- Salt and pepper – coat the chicken in oil and simply season with salt and pepper for super simple but yummy chicken bites.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or the microwave until heated through.
Ways to serve air fryer chicken bites
We love to serve these homemade chicken bites as a protein in a taco salad or for taco night, wrapped in charred corn tortillas, topped with salsa and sour cream. They are also great served with your favorite side dishes for a simple, quick weeknight dinner. Try them with this roasted asparagus, sweet potato cubes, or potato salad.
FAQs
I used boneless chicken breast, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs. Keep in mind that chicken thighs take a bit longer to cook since they are denser and contain more fat than chicken breast.
Yes, they are! They have no breading, which makes them low-carb, lower calorie, and packed with protein, plus super delicious!
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you try this air fryer chicken bites recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!
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Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These quick and easy air fryer chicken bites are made with chunks of boneless, skinless chicken breast seasoned with oil and taco seasoning and air fried until golden, juicy, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1lb boneless chicken breast
- 1–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons taco seasoning – like Siete
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt – if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
- Cut the chicken into 1.5-inch chunks using a cutting board and a sharp knife. Then add the cubed chicken to a medium bowl.
- Toss the chicken with the oil and taco seasoning to fully coat it all. Note: oil and taco seasoning amounts are based on preference and the type of taco seasoning used. I used the Siete brand and only needed 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil and 1.5 tablespoons of taco seasoning.
- Add the seasoned, cubed chicken bites to a preheated air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to get all of the sides of the chicken nice and golden.
- Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and serve. Note: the chicken is done once the internal temperature (checked with a meat thermometer) reaches 165°F and the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.
Notes
- Chicken – I used boneless chicken breast, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs.
- Seasoning – Use any chicken seasoning you like.
- Cooking times – air fryers vary, so check the chicken at around 8 minutes and continue to cook as needed until the internal temperature (checked with a meat thermometer) reaches 165°F.
- Storage – store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or air fryer until fully heated through.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: air fryer recipes
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
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