Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Air Fryer Chicken Bites are your new weeknight go-to! Inspired by Chick-fil-A grilled nuggets, they’re juicy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping in our homemade Chick-fil-A sauce.
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Air Fryer Chicken Bites are a total win in our house—they’re quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for dipping! These juicy little bites come out tender every time and are a hit with kids and adults alike. They’re great paired with so many different sides, too! I like to serve them with a green veggie and either baked sweet potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes for a balanced, family-friendly meal.
Why you’ll crave these bites
- Kid-tested, parent-approved: A quick dinner that’s tasty enough for the kids, wholesome enough for you.
- High-protein favorite: A nutritious option that keeps everyone full and satisfied.
- Versatile serving options: Perfect with veggies, grains, or tucked into wraps and over rice bowls.
- No breadcrumbs! These juicy chicken nuggets skip the breading, making them a great choice for gluten-free or low-carb diets.
Highly recommend this recipe. Quick, easy and my granddaughters loved them!
— Krissy
Ingredients you’ll need
This air fryer chicken bites recipe is made with simple ingredients that come together to pack major flavor into every juicy bite! From the tangy pickle juice marinade to the sweet and smoky Chick-fil-A-style dipping sauce, here’s what you’ll need:
See the recipe card for all measurements.
- Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders, whatever you have on hand! Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
- Pickle juice & buttermilk: This tangy combo tenderizes the chicken and adds signature flavor.
- Cornstarch: Helps lock in moisture and gives the chicken a lightly crisp exterior.
- Seasonings: A mix of seasoned salt, garlic, black pepper, powdered sugar, and paprika boosts the flavor without overpowering.
- Chick-fil-A sauce (optional): A creamy, sweet, and tangy dip made from mayo, mustard, honey, BBQ sauce, and a splash of lemon juice—perfect for dunking!
Substitutions and variations
Here are some easy substitutions and swaps to help customize the recipe or make it work with what you have on hand:
- Buttermilk substitute: No buttermilk? No problem! Mix 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar or lemon juice and ⅓ cup milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly before adding the pickle juice—voilà, instant buttermilk.
- Pickle juice: Any type of pickle brine will work! Dill is a classic choice, but bread and butter pickle juice adds a sweeter twist. Just make sure it’s from a jar of pickles with real vinegar and spices.
- Make it Mexican: Swap the seasonings for 1 package (or 2-3 tablespoons) of your favorite taco or fajita seasoning mix. You can also use 2-3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
How to make this recipe
Step 1. Combine pickle juice and buttermilk in a bowl or large ziplock bag. Add in the chicken pieces, cover or seal, and let them soak in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—though the longer, the better (up to a full day!).
Step 2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, powdered sugar, seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to make your flavorful seasoning mix.
Step 3. Once the chicken chunks are done marinating, pour off and discard the liquid using a colander (don’t rinse). Add the chicken to a bowl, sprinkle on the spice blend, and toss until every bite is coated.
Step 4. Preheat your air fryer to 425ºF. Lightly coat the basket with olive oil cooking spray or add a liner to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket. You may have to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
Step 5. Give the chicken pieces a quick spray of cooking oil, and air fry for 7–9 minutes or until they’re golden and reach 160ºF inside using a meat thermometer.
Step 6. To make the copycat Chick-fil-A sauce, combine 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce, 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
Step 7. Once done, enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce!
Recipe tips
- Don’t skip the marinade: Letting the chicken soak in the pickle juice and buttermilk tenderizes it and adds that classic Chick-fil-A flavor. Even 30 minutes makes a difference.
- Cut chicken into even pieces: Uniform 1-inch chunks cook evenly in the air fryer, giving you juicy bites without any over- or under-cooked spots.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: Give each piece some space so the hot air can circulate. Cook in batches if needed for crispier results.
Frequently asked questions
Preheating helps achieve even cooking and crispier edges. Most air fryers only need 3–5 minutes to preheat.
Cook them for 8-10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 160ºF.
Yes! There’s no breading, and as long as your ingredients (like the seasoned salt) are certified gluten free, this recipe works well for a gluten-free diet.
Serving suggestions
- With a veggie and a starch: Pair with a green vegetable like steamed broccoli or green beans and roasted sweet potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes for a balanced dinner.
- In bowls: Serve over rice or quinoa with a drizzle of Chick-fil-A sauce and your favorite toppings like avocado, cucumbers, or shredded carrots.
- As a salad topper: Add warm chicken bites to a crisp salad with romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and ranch dressing or honey mustard dressing.
- Taco-style: Tuck them into tortillas with shredded lettuce, cheese, and salsa for quick and easy chicken tacos.
- Kid-friendly plate: Offer with dipping sauce, carrot sticks, and apple slices for a wholesome, picky-eater-approved meal.
Storage recommendations
- In the refrigerator: Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Let them cool completely before sealing.
- In the freezer: To freeze, spread the cooked chicken bites in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: For best texture, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 4–5 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp again. You can also reheat in the microwave, though the texture may be softer.
My Air Fryer
COSORI 6-Qt Air Fryer
Highly reviewed air fryer with a large basket!
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If you try this recipe, leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs or tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup pickle juice
- ⅓ cup buttermilk, see notes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, such as Lawry’s seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika, hot or smoked
Chick-fil-A Sauce (optional for serving)
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions
- Combine pickle juice and buttermilk in a bowl or large ziplock bag. Add in the chicken pieces, cover or seal, and let them soak in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—though the longer, the better (up to a full day!).
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the cornstarch, powdered sugar, seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to make your flavorful seasoning mix.
- Once the chicken is done marinating, pour off and discard the liquid using a colander (don't rinse). Add the chicken to a bowl, sprinkle on the spice blend, and toss until every bite is coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 425ºF. Lightly coat the basket with cooking spray or add a liner to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket. You may have to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. Give the chicken pieces a quick spray of cooking oil, and air fry for 7–9 minutes or until they’re golden and reach 160ºF inside. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauce!
- To make the copycat Chick-fil-A sauce, combine 3/4 cup mayo, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons honey BBQ sauce, 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust to personal preference. Chill in the fridge or use immediately.
Notes
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Highly recommend this recipe. Quick, easy and my granddaughters loved them!
So happy to hear that! Thanks so much for your comment!