Air Fryer Chicken Bites {Ninja Crispi Recipe}

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Bites {Ninja Crispi Recipe}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 chicken thighs; Drizzle of avocado oil; Kosher salt; McCormick All Purpose Seasoning: Garlic and Onion + Black Pepper and Sea Salt

These Air Fryer Chicken Bites made in the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer are a game-changer for quick, high-protein meals. Packed with protein, loaded with flavor, and ready in just 10 minutes, they're juicy on the inside, perfectly browned on the outside, and made with tender chicken thighs, avocado oil, and simple pantry seasonings. Whether you're making a fast weeknight dinner, meal prepping for the week, or adding protein to salads, bowls, wraps, and more, this easy recipe is sure to become a favorite.

This recipe was inspired by my all-in-one Ninja Crispi YouTube series, where I share easy & quick dinner recipes made in the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer. Be sure to check out my Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas and Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks for a finger licking dinner.

I love making a batch of these air fryer chicken bites at the beginning of the week because they're so versatile. We use them in burrito bowls, pile them on loaded nachos, tuck them into tacos, or simply serve them with vegetables for a quick dinner. The Ninja Crispi's Max Crisp setting gives the chicken delicious caramelized edges while keeping every bite tender and juicy.

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Why I love this recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
variations
serving suggestions
Equipment
Storage
Top Tip
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Air Fryer Chicken Bites {Ninja Crispi Recipe}

Why I love this recipe

Flavorful: Crispy edges with juicy, tender chicken
Simple & fast: ready in 10 minutes & made with 3 simple pantry ingredients
Perfect for meal prep: Add to burrito bowls, tacos, salads, burritos & more!

Ingredients

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs stay extra juicy and tender in the air fryer, making them perfect for bite-sized pieces that won't dry out during cooking.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken and helps bring out the savory seasonings.
Avocado Oil: A high smoke point oil that helps the seasonings stick while promoting a beautifully browned, crispy exterior.
McCormick All Purpose Garlic & Onion Seasoning: This gluten-free, non-GMO seasoning blend is packed with savory flavor from sea salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, mustard bran, lemon peel, chili pepper, oregano, and parsley. It's an easy way to add bold, well-balanced flavor to chicken without measuring multiple spices.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Place chicken thighs on a cutting board and season both sides lightly with kosher salt.

Step 2: Cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Drizzle with avocado oil.

Step 4: Sprinkle with a layer of McCormick All Purpose Seasoning. Turn the chicken over, season the other side with more of the seasoning.

Step 5: Mix everything together until each piece is evenly coated.

Step 6: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the Ninja Crispi basket, leaving a little space between each piece.

Step 7: Air Fry on the "Max Crisp" setting for 10 minutes. (Max Crisp is 425°-450°F / 218°-232° C)

Step 8: Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Hint: Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly and don't overcrowd the basket. Giving each piece space helps the chicken crisp properly.

variations

You can make many different variations with this recipe. You can toss in a sauce after cooking or add different ingredients for variety, here are a few of my favorites:

Cheesy - Add grated parmesan before cooking and toss over pasta
BBQ - Toss in BBQ sauce before air frying instead of McCormick Seasoning
Lemon & Garlic- add freshly minced garlic and lemon zest before air frying and toss over a salad

serving suggestions

These Ninja Crispi Air Fryer Chicken Bites are one of my favorite proteins to meal prep because they're so easy to use in different meals throughout the week. I mix up the recipes I use the chicken bites in for variety.

Some of my favorite ways to serve these Air Fryer Chicken Bites include:

Burrito bowls with Rice Cooker Mexican White Rice, Instant Pot Pinto Beans, purple cabbage, grated carrots, avocado, Homemade Salsa and sour cream
Loaded nachos with melted cheese, Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Rice Cooker Mexican White Rice, Homemade Salsa, guacamole, and sour cream
Soft tacos topped with shredded cabbage, grated carrots, Homemade Salsa, avocado slices, sour cream, and fresh lime
Kale Salad w/Golden Beets topped with a Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette for an easy high-protein lunch
Burritos wrapped in my homemade gluten free 10" High Fiber Oat Cassava Tortillas, mashed Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Rice Cooker Mexican White Rice, guacamole and sour cream
Chicken Bites alongside roasted vegetables

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This comes at no additional cost to you.)

Equipment

For these Air Fryer Chicken Bites, I used the Ninja Crispi All-in-One Cooker - it perfectly air fries, bakes and re-crisps all in one base. If you're using a different air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the Ninja Crispi on Recrisp for 3-5 minutes until heated through.

Top Tip

If you are making these for meal prep, and will not be eating these right away, check the internal temperature at the 8 minute mark. That way, when you reheat them, they will stay juicy and tender. (Internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.)

FAQ

Can I use chicken breasts instead?

Yes! Chicken breasts or chicken tenders work well. Watch the cooking time carefully since breast meat can dry out more quickly.

Do I need to preheat the Ninja Crispi?

No. This recipe cooks beautifully without preheating. The Ninja Crispi reaches full temperature quickly therefore, does not require pre-heating.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Use an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Here is digital thermometer I use.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! These chicken bites are perfect for meal prep and reheat beautifully for quick lunches and easy dinners throughout the week. If you're planning to make them ahead, a helpful tip is to check the internal temperature at around 8 minutes instead of 10. Since they'll be reheated later, pulling them slightly earlier helps prevent them from drying out while still keeping them juicy and flavorful.

If you make this recipe, please rate and share your results in the comments below and be sure to tag me on my social media because I would love to see a picture of your fabulous creation! Find me on Instagram or Pinterest.

Looking for other air fryer recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with these Air Fryer Chicken Bites: