One of my favorite things to make is this super juicy and crispy diced chicken in the air fryer. It is a quick and easy versatile food you can use for salads, salsas, salad bowls, and even wraps. All you need to do is prepare enough for one week and refrigerate them to be used for later, so dive right in.
Diced Chicken In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Air fryer basket liner of parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 3 lb chicken breast
- 1/4 cup italian dressing
- 1 tbsp adobo seasoning
- 1 tbsp dry Italian herbs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- olive oil for spray
- 1 tbsp Sazon seasoning
Instructions
- Start the recipe by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken (cut into 1-inch cubes bite sizes) into a large bowl and mix it with cornstarch and salt. Combine everything to make sure all the chicken bites are coated with cornstarch.
- Now, add the seasonings into the bowl and mix all the ingredients using your hand. Make sure all chicken pieces are coated with the seasoning.
- Once done, spread the chicken pieces into the air fryer basket within a single layer, having noticeable space between them. You can also lightly spray them with avocado oil or any other neutral oil to get a perfectly crispy texture.
- Cook the chicken pieces in the air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are crispy and cooked through. Flip the chicken into the basket and cook it for another 5 to 8 minutes.
- Transfer them to the serving plate and enjoy them immediately with your favorite side dish. Or store them in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- Always cut the chicken breasts into uniform equal pieces. It helps with even cooking and crispy taste. Always use a plastic knife and plastic cutting board for this step.
- I highly recommend chicken breasts, but you can always substitute them with boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders. However, thighs will take a little more time than breasts or tenders.
- You can always prepare chicken tenders one or two days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It will help save time and effort on the day of cooking.
- Always make sure the chicken bites are perfectly coated with the seasonings. Plus, do not underestimate the olive oil, as it is responsible for giving the bites a crispy exterior.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Always add the chicken bite-size pieces in the basket in a single layer with a considerable gap, as it can help the air circulate better. Without this, it can leave you with undercooked chicken with incorrect texture.
- Take the time to prepare the air fryer and always use parchment paper. Flip the chicken after 5 to 7 minutes to make sure both sides are cooked well.
- Always use silicone-tipped tongs, as they are safe for the air fryer basket, and do not scratch it while flipping the chicken pieces.
- Do not be afraid to experiment with the seasonings. Spices bring different flavors to the chicken, so you can always tailor it to your taste.
Nutritional Value of Air Fryer Chicken
Chicken breasts are an excellent protein source for your day-to-day meals. Plus, there is nothing deep-fried in the recipe, which means you can safely consume it without worrying about the fat content. Just to give you an idea, one serving of this diced chicken has 233 calories, 1g carbs, 38.5g protein, 7.5g fat, 0.5g fiber, and 868 mg sodium.
How to Serve These Juicy Diced Chicken?
These versatile diced chicken bites work well with most side dishes. Some of my favorites are as follows.
- Main dishes like sweet potatoes, rice, green beans, Brussels sports, and green salads.
- You can use them in taco wraps, prepared by wrapping chicken, salsa, and cheese in a tortilla.
- Add these chicken bites to the grain bowls, along with fried egg and veggies, topped off with Italian dressing and hot sauce.
- Throw the chicken bites on any salad for added protein.
- You can even add these chicken bites into one pan creamy, baked, or feta pastas.
Try It Already!
You can always scale up and down this recipe for chicken bites, depending on your requirements. Or, if you have already prepared a bigger batch, just throw the leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for one week. You can even freeze them, and they are safe to consume for up to 3 months.
