Ditch the mess of multiple breading stations with this one-bowl, high protein, Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast Bites paired with a simple salad!
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Bites
I love this easy, one-bowl method for making breaded chicken breast in the air fryer! Great for busy weeknights when I want something quick, easy, high-protein and delicious without the mess. Everything—chicken, seasonings, and breadcrumbs—gets tossed together in ONE bowl, then cooked in the air fryer until crispy and golden. The boneless, skinless, chicken breast chunks turn out juicy with a perfectly imperfect crust, which I paired with a delicious salad to make it a satisfying meal. I like to think of this as adult Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. For more air fryer recipes, you may also enjoy these unbreaded Air Fryer Chicken Bites, Air Fryer Chicken Breasts and this Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast Recipe
I asked on Instagram what content you want to see here this month, and most of you asked for easy high protein dinner ideas! Well, this chicken breast recipe, which I originally tested for my upcoming cookbook checks of all the boxes!
- Simple: Cut the chicken into chunks then bread the chicken by mixing everything in ONE BOWL. No multiple breading stations.
- Healthy: These crispy breaded chicken bites in the air fryer are much lighter than fast food. Pair them with a salad for a low-carb meal.
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, gluten-free (if using GF breadcrumbs), high-protein, dairy-free (If you omit the Pecorino)
If you make this breaded air fryer chicken bite recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
Breaded Chicken Breast Ingredients
Below are the ingredients for the air fryer breaded chicken bites and romaine salad with a red wine vinaigrette. Scroll to the recipe card for the exact measurements.
- Chicken Breasts: Cut the chicken into half-inch pieces to keep them bite- sized.
- Lemon Juice flavors and tenderizes the meat.
- Chicken Seasoning: Salt and Italian seasoning
- Oil helps the breadcrumbs and seasoning stick to the chicken and prevents it from drying out.
- Garlic: Finely mince it with a knife or garlic press.
- Cheese: Grated Pecorino Romano adds a salty richness to the crispy coating.
- Breadcrumbs: Use seasoned breadcrumbs to maximize the flavor. If you can’t eat gluten, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Olive Oil Spray to prevent the chicken nuggets from sticking to the air fryer.
- Red Wine Vinaigrette: Olive oil, garlic, red onion, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper.
- Salad: Cucumbers, avocado, romaine lettuce
How to Make Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Bites
This easy air fryer breaded chicken bite recipe doesn’t require any dredging–just mix the chicken with the breading ingredients and air fry! The recipe card below contains the printable instructions.
- Coat the Chicken Breast: Combine the diced chicken with lemon, salt, oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, cheese, and breadcrumbs.
- How Long to Cook Chicken Bites in Air Fryer: Spray the basket with oil and add the chicken in a single layer. Air fry at 400F for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Marinate the red onions: Combine the red onion, garlic, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to let the onions mellow.
- Make the Salad: Add the cucumbers and avocado to the dressing. When ready to serve, toss in the chopped lettuce and drizzle with the remaining oil and vinegar.
Variations
- No air fryer? No problem! Bake chicken nuggets at 425°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, until browned and cooked through.
- Chicken: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks.
- Oil: Swap olive oil for avocado oil for the chicken.
- Italian Seasoning: Use whatever combination of dried herbs you have, like parsley, oregano, and basil. You can also skip the herbs and use onion powder and garlic powder.
- Cheese: Swap Pecorino with parmesan or omit it to keep it dairy-free.
- Breadcrumbs: Add a little extra Italian seasoning if you don’t have seasoned breadcrumbs or use gluten-free crumbs.
- Onions: Replace them with scallions.
- Vinegar: Replace red wine vinegar with apple cider or white wine vinegar.
- Vegetables: Use whatever you have available, such as bell peppers or cherry tomatoes.
- Lettuce: Sub little gem lettuce or iceberg.
Perfect Pairings
Serve the chicken bites alongside your favorite grain, veggies, or salad for an effortless, crowd-pleasing lunch or dinner. I included the recipe for my favorite green salad below, but this arugula salad or kale salad would also be good.
Storage
- Refrigerate leftover cooked chicken bites for up to 4 days and reheat them in the air fryer so they’re not soggy. If you know you won’t eat all of them in one night, refrigerate the uncooked chicken and air fry them the next day for crispy breaded chicken bites.
- Freeze Cooked Chicken Bites: Once cool, flash freeze them on a parchment-lined sheet pan and then transfer them to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, air fry them for 5 to 7 minutes.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1 3/4 cup chicken with generous cup salad
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In a large bowl combine the diced chicken breast with lemon, salt, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
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Spray the air fryer basket with oil. In batches as needed, add the chicken to the air fryer basket in a single layer so it doesn’t overcrowd the basket and air fry at 400°F for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
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Meanwhile, in a salad bowl, combine the red onion with garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper to taste; let it sit about 5 to 8 minutes, so the flavor of the onion mellows.
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Add the cucumbers, avocado and toss. When ready to serve, toss in chopped lettuce and finish with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar, taste for salt and pepper and adjust as needed.
Last Step:
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No air fryer? No problem! Bake breaded chicken bites at 425°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Serving: 1 3/4 cup chicken with generous cup salad, Calories: 525 kcal, Carbohydrates: 19 g, Protein: 56.5 g, Fat: 24 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 170.5 mg, Sodium: 864 mg, Fiber: 4.5 g, Sugar: 3 g