Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Bites seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices and herbs, perfect for a quick and healthy snack or appetizer. These bite-sized pieces of chicken breast are coated with olive oil and a zesty spice mix, then air fried to golden perfection in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning Mix
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning (e.g., Slap Ya Mama seasoning or Tony Chachere’s)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your 5-quart air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking the chicken bites evenly.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Place them in a medium bowl and drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat each piece evenly with oil for better crisping.
- Season the Chicken: Add the Cajun seasoning, granulated sugar, kosher salt, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, poultry seasoning, dried thyme, and dried parsley flakes to the chicken. Stir well to ensure all bites are evenly coated in the flavorful spice mixture.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick spray to prevent sticking and help develop a crispy exterior on the chicken bites.
- Cook the Chicken Bites: Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 7 to 11 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes or flipping with tongs to promote even cooking and browning. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve: Remove the chicken bites from the air fryer and serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Cut chicken pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice tolerance.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check for safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- For extra crispiness, consider lightly spraying the chicken pieces with olive oil before cooking.
- Leftover chicken bites can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
