These Air Fryer Chicken Breast Chunks are the ultimate quick and crispy meal for any busy day. Made with lightly breaded chicken chunks and cooked to golden perfection in just 10 minutes, this easy recipe delivers juicy, flavorful bites that pair perfectly with your favorite dipping sauces, making it a family-friendly favorite for dinner or snacks.
In our house, these Air Fryer Chicken Bites Recipe have become a daily staple! Whether it's a quick lunch, a protein-packed snack, or an easy dinner for the kids, we find ourselves making these almost every day. They’re so simple, delicious, and versatile that everyone in the family looks forward to them—especially when paired with our favorite dipping sauces. It’s safe to say they’ve earned a permanent spot in our meal rotation!
Looking for more? Try my Chicken Salad, Turkey Pesto Wrap, and Tuna Sandwich.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: These Air Fryer Chicken Breast Chunks are perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something on the table fast. With only a couple of minutes of prep time and a short 10-minute cooking time, you’ll have a crispy, delicious meal ready in no time—without the hassle of deep frying or a lengthy cleanup.
- Family-Friendly and Customizable: Whether you’re serving picky eaters or adventurous food lovers, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table. Pair these crispy chicken bites with a variety of dipping sauces like BBQ, honey mustard, or marinara to satisfy every craving. They’re also great for kids’ lunches, appetizers, or even adding protein to a salad or rice bowl.
- Healthier Alternative to Deep Fried: If you love the crispy texture of fried chicken but want a healthier option, this air fryer recipe is the answer. Using the air fryer means less oil, fewer calories, and less mess while still achieving that golden-brown crunch that’s hard to resist. It’s an easy way to enjoy your favorite comfort food without the guilt!
🥘 Ingredients
- Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks – These crispy, pre-breaded chicken chunks are the star of the recipe, making it quick and easy to whip up a satisfying meal.
- Garlic Powder – A sprinkle of garlic powder adds a savory, aromatic depth to the chicken chunks, enhancing their natural flavor.
- Onion Powder – For a mild, sweet kick, onion powder is a perfect seasoning option to elevate these bites.
- Black Pepper – A dash of freshly ground black pepper adds a touch of spice and rounds out the flavor of the chicken.
- Favorite Dipping Sauce – Whether it’s BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinara, your favorite sauce is the perfect accompaniment to these crispy chicken bites.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F to ensure even cooking and crispy results.
Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breast chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
Cook the Chicken: Air fry the chicken chunks at 400°F for 10 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Cool the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let them rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Serve: Enjoy the crispy chicken bites with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious meal or snack.
👩🏼🍳 Tips & Notes
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer to 400°F to ensure the chicken pieces cook evenly and achieve the perfect crispy texture. This step is key to getting golden brown results every time.
- Place in a Single Layer: Arrange the chicken chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can block airflow and lead to uneven cooking, so give the chicken pieces enough space for best results.
- Enhance with Seasonings: If you’d like to add more flavor, sprinkle the chicken chunks with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or cajun seasoning before cooking. This simple step elevates the taste and makes the chicken bites even more irresistible.
- Monitor the Cooking Time: Air fryer models can vary in temperature and performance. Keep an eye on the chicken pieces during the 10-minute cook time and adjust slightly if needed to ensure they don’t burn or overcook.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken breast pieces are cooked safely and remain juicy and tender.
- Cool Before Serving: Let the air-fried chicken chunks rest for 1-2 minutes after removing them from the air fryer basket. This helps the coating set and prevents burns when enjoying.
- Serve with Your Favorite Dipping Sauce: These air fryer chicken nuggets are delicious with a variety of dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinara. Find your favorite dipping sauce to make them perfect for you.
- Store Leftovers Properly: If you have leftover chicken bites, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, use the air fryer to bring back the crispy texture and serve them with sweet potato fries or rice bowls for an easy next-day meal.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These crispy chicken bites are a great addition to meal prep. Pair them with cauliflower rice or a side salad for a quick, flavorful, and healthier alternative to deep frying.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Different Chicken Options: If you don’t have Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks, you can substitute them with homemade chicken chunks made from boneless skinless chicken breasts. Simply cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, and coat with bread crumbs or panko crumbs for a homemade touch.
Add a Flavor Boost: To switch up the seasoning, try using cajun seasoning for a spicy kick or lemon pepper for a tangy, citrusy flavor. These variations bring a new twist to the crispy chicken bites and pair wonderfully with dipping sauces like marinara or garlic butter sauce.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- Add to a Caesar Salad: Top a classic Caesar salad with these crispy chicken bites for a protein-packed, flavorful twist.
- Stuff into a Wrap: Use the chicken chunks as the star ingredient in a tortilla wrap with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite sauce.
- Serve as an Appetizer: Offer them with a variety of dipping sauces for a perfect party snack or game-day treat.
- Make a Quick Sandwich: Layer the chicken chunks on a toasted bun with lettuce, pickles, and a tangy mayo for a delicious sandwich.
💭 Recipe FAQs
No, there’s no need to thaw the frozen chicken chunks before cooking. Simply place them straight from the freezer into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. The air fryer is perfect for cooking frozen foods, and the chunks will cook evenly and develop a crispy texture in just 10 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken chunks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow them to cool completely before sealing the container to maintain their crispy texture.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken chunks in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispy texture. This is the best method for keeping them as delicious as when first cooked.
Freezing: If needed, freeze the cooked chicken chunks in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer for quick and easy meals or snacks.
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
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📋 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Breast Chunks
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Equipment
- Air fryer
- Air fryer basket
- Meat Thermometer
- Tongs
- Large bowl
- Airtight container (for storing leftovers)
Ingredients
- 6 oz Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
- Favorite dipping sauce e.g., BBQ sauce, honey mustard, garlic butter sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This ensures even cooking and crispy results.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken breast chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding for the best results.
- Cook the Chicken: Cook the chicken chunks at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Cool the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer using tongs and let them cool for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the air-fried chicken breast chunks with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- Single Layer is Key: For even cooking, always place the chicken chunks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Monitor Closely: Keep an eye on your cooking time, as air fryer models may vary in temperature and efficiency.
- Leftover Chicken Bites: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes for a crispy texture the next day.
🌡️ Food safety
- Chicken - Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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