Air Fryer Chicken Bites (No Breading)

These air fryer chicken bites tick all the easy dinner boxes! They’re tasty, quick to make and use just a few everyday ingredients (plus chicken breasts of course).

Juicy, flavorful and just the right amount of crispy on the outside without being greasy. Unlike traditional breaded chicken bites, this air fryer version doesn't need breadcrumbs or eggs, making them lighter, easier to make and just as delicious.

These little chicken bites work everywhere. Boost your Caesar salad, add a protein hit to pasta, or fill a wrap for a filling lunch. And of course, they go great with air fryer french fries or sweet potato fries. Once you make a batch, you’ll find endless ways to use them.

No Breadcrumbs Boneless Chicken Bites

The best part about these boneless chicken bites? No need for breadcrumbs or egg! That means:

• Faster prep – no breading station needed
• Fewer ingredients but tons of flavor
• A natural crispness from the air fryer, without extra coating

This recipe is all about simplicity – just juicy, seasoned chicken with a gorgeous golden finish. I choose to make them with chicken breasts for boneless chicken bites air fryer style!

Ingredients for Air Fried Chicken Bites

These boneless chicken bites couldn't be easier to whip up! Here's what you'll need:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or spray oil)
• 2 garlic cloves (crushed or finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or your favorite dried herb)
• Salt & pepper, to taste

How to Make Chicken Bites in an Air Fryer

Once you've assembled all of your ingredients, making these tasty chicken bites is simple, here's how:

Tips for Making Perfect Chicken Bites

• Buy boneless and skinless chicken breasts to make your prep super easy.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – Give the chicken space so it crisps up nicely.
• Use even-sized pieces  - This ensures everything cooks at the same time.
• Turn halfway through cooking  - This helps get that delicious, even crisp.
• Let them rest for a minute – This keeps them extra juicy before serving.

What Dried Herbs Go Well with Air fried Chicken?

I used oregano and paprika in my air fryer chicken bites. But you can switch up the seasoning to suit your taste! Here are some dried herbs that match wonderfully with chicken:

Thyme - Classic, earthy and fragrant

Rosemary - Bold and aromatic

Basil - Slightly sweet, goes well with Mediterranean flavors

Parsley - Bright and fresh

Italian seasoning - A mix of herbs that always tastes great

Variations:

Once you've mastered air fried chicken bites, you'll be making them on repeat. Which is great because there are lots of ways you can switch up the flavor profile to create something new every time. Here are some ideas:

Peri peri chicken bites - use a peri peri mix in place of the oregano, or make your own by combining paprika, chili flakes and garlic powder or crushed garlic.

Lemon pepper chicken bites - use a pre-made lemon pepper seasoning mix, or make your own by grating the zest of a lemon and add it to freshly ground pepper and salt before mixing with your chicken breast pieces and oil before air frying.

Tandori chicken bites - combine dried cumin, paprika, garlic, ginger, corinader and caramom to make your own Tandori spice mix.

Garlic parmesan chicken bites - add garlic salt and a tablespoon of finely grated parmesan cheese to coat your chicken before air frying.

Cajun chicken bites - add salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and herbs like oregano and thyme to your diced chicken before air frying.

What to Serve with Chicken Bites

Dips – Try ranch, honey mustard, garlic aioli, or BBQ sauce

Veggies – Air fryer roasted vegetables will make the perfect addition

Grains – Serve with rice, quinoa, or couscous for a filling meal

Pasta – Combine with cooked pasta and pesto sauce for a decadent pasta dish

Potatoes – Air fryer french fries, sweet potato fries or potato wedges will all make a worthy sidekick to these chicken bites

How to Store Leftover Chicken Bites

Can you reheat chicken bites? Yes! Although, to be honest, I’ve never had leftovers because my family adores these chicken bites. But if you do, you can store them like this:

Fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), arrange the chicken bites in a single layer in the basket and reheat for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, or until heated all the way through.

Discover more information about cooking and reheating food safely here.

Can You Freeze Chicken Bites?

Yes! Follow US food safety guidelines and freeze them for later. Here's how:

• Let the cooked chicken bites cool completely.
• Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in the air fryer straight from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through.

What next?

Looking for some more easy air fryer meat recipes? Try these pork steaks - they're so easy!

If you've tried this method for Air Fryer Chicken Bites, let me know how it worked out by leaving a ⭐star rating and a comment below. It really helps me out! Thanks for visiting!