Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Bites
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Air Fryer Chicken Bites are so easy to make, and there are so many flavors to choose from. Make this lemon chicken air fryer recipe with fresh lemon juice, a handful of seasonings, and a little bit of oil. Marinate for an hour and air fry in just 10 minutes!
Air Fryer Chicken Bites
A few fresh ingredients and a handful of spices are all you need to make juicy, tender chicken bites in the air fryer.
Serve them for a simple weeknight dinner or cook a larger amount in batches as a party appetizer!
And speaking of parties, you know I have a lemon chicken air fryer recipe for crispy wings. Try all 4 of my famous wing flavors and see which is your favorite.
Looking for more complete meal options? You’ll love this skillet with summer veggies or my sheet pan recipe with potatoes and asparagus!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts – Slice into strips, then chop those into bite-sized pieces. Or, skip a step and start with tenderloins!
Prefer darker meat? Feel free to use boneless, skinless thighs instead. You will need 6 to 8 pieces for this recipe, depending on their size. - Oil – I like olive oil when making chicken bites in the air fryer, but vegetable, canola, or avocado oils work just as well. Anything that’s great for high-heat cooking, really.
- Lemon Juice – You’ll want to use fresh-squeezed for this air fryer lemon chicken recipe.
Bottled juice may be easier, but it doesn’t have that same great flavor you get from fresh fruit. - Garlic – Mince fresh cloves or use jarred minced garlic in a pinch. Most of it stays in the marinade anyway!
- Seasonings – All my favorites are here: onion powder, fresh parsley, and Italian seasoning, plus salt and pepper to taste.
Tips and Tricks to Make Chicken Bites in Air Fryer
- Get the most juice out of your lemons.
Roll the citrus fruit back and forth on a solid surface while pressing down with the palm of your hand.
Or, toss them in the microwave whole and heat for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Chop chicken into pieces that are similar in size.
This ensures that everything cooks evenly and is done at the same time. Air fry lemon chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe.
- Preheat the air fryer and cook in batches.
While preheating is technically optional, you’ll get a really nice sear on the chicken if the basket is already hot.
Keep everything in a single layer with a little space between each piece for the best (and most consistent) cook.
- Discard leftover marinade.
Since it will be mixed with raw poultry, the marinade cannot be reused for food safety reasons.
If you want some extra sauce to drizzle over the top of your air fryer chicken bites, you’ll need to boil it in a saucepan first.
Prep Ahead
- Chop and marinate chicken
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
- Mixing Bowl or Gallon Ziploc Bag for marinating the meat
- Tongs – I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well!
Serving Suggestions
Pair air fryer lemon chicken with any number of simple sides. Rice, rosemary potatoes, or crispy cauliflower would all be delicious!
If you’re more in a snacking mood, try these homemade sweet potato chips with a chipotle lime dipping sauce.
Or, toss your air fryer chicken bites into a pasta salad or over a bed of greens with your favorite dressing.
Lemon Chicken Air Fryer FAQ
Yes! Dump the whole bag — meat and marinade — into a greased 9×13 baking dish and pop it into a preheated oven.
I recommend baking lemon chicken at 425°F for 16 to 18 minutes or until cooked through. Give everything a good stir about halfway through so it browns on all sides.
You will need 2 to 3, depending on how large they are. Be sure to follow the tips above to get the most liquid out of each one!
Yes, but you will need to replace it with another type of acid like lime or orange juice.
Vinegar is another common citrus substitute, but you will lose a lot of the flavor in these air fryer chicken bites.
Opt for apple cider vinegar if you must, or grab a bottle of your favorite white wine instead.
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Lemon Chicken
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze air fried chicken bites for 2 to 3 months, then thaw them in the fridge before reheating.
Snack on these bites cold or warm them back up in the microwave. But for the best texture, air fry lemon chicken for 3-5 minutes at 375°F or until warmed through.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a gallon-size zip-top bag. Shake the bag until the chicken is well coated, place in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Place the chicken into the basket of your air fryer. Turn it on to 400 degrees for 10 minutes; halfway through, stir the chicken. Depending on your air fryer, you might need to a minute or two until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2021,updated and republished February 2025
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Let me know how yummy they are,they look good
I used these as an appetizer for friends and they were a hit. They were easy to make and delicious, definitely using this recipe again.
I tried this recipe using chicken thighs cut up into bite size pieces and baked it in the oven with red roasted potatoes for 25 minutes… OMG!! It was sooo good!!! Weekly rotation for sure!!! So delicious!!
Hi Joanne,
We are happy to hear that!!! Have a great evening!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
Can you use it on full boneless breast
Made this recipe for Sunday dinner and even the 6 and 4 year olds asked for seconds. It will be a recipe I’ll be using often ,especially with company coming.
Absolutely delicious 😋😋😋
Definitely a winner! 👍👏👏👏
Made this lemon chicken recipe with breast of chicken and chicken thighs, both were delicious! Definitely a keeper! 😋