Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites (Print-Friendly Version)

Juicy chicken bites marinated in lemon and herbs, then air fried until golden and crispy. Ready in under 15 minutes!

# What You Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ For Serving

10 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
11 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized cubes of equal size for even cooking. Place cubes in a medium mixing bowl.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
03 - Pour the lemon marinade over the chicken cubes, tossing thoroughly to evenly coat each piece. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours maximum for optimal flavor.
04 - Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) according to manufacturer's instructions.
05 - Arrange marinated chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper air circulation.
06 - Air fry the chicken bites for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 6-minute mark. Cook until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) and exterior is golden brown.
07 - Verify chicken is cooked through with a meat thermometer, ensuring internal temperature has reached 74°C (165°F). If needed, continue air frying in 1-minute increments until fully cooked.
08 - Transfer cooked chicken bites to a serving plate and let rest for 1-2 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
09 - Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra zesty flavor.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Do not marinate chicken longer than 2 hours as the acidity of lemon juice can affect protein texture.
02 - For best results, use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled varieties.
03 - Smoked paprika can be substituted for regular paprika if a deeper smoky flavor is desired.

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