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Golden brown Air Fryer Garlic Butter Chicken Bites on a white plate.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Tender, bite-sized chicken pieces are coated in cornstarch and spices, air-fried to a golden crisp, and then tossed in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce. This recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort and cleanup, perfect for a quick snack, appetizer, or main course.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish and sauce

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
  • Kitchen Tongs or Spatula
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Garlic press (optional)

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring pieces are not touching.
  5. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 60-90 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in most of the chopped parsley.
  7. Transfer the hot, cooked chicken bites to a large bowl. Pour the warm garlic butter sauce over them.
  8. Gently toss until all chicken pieces are evenly coated in the sauce.
  9. Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, do not skip preheating the air fryer and avoid overcrowding the basket; cook in batches if necessary. The garlic butter is added after cooking to prevent the fresh garlic from burning. Let the sauced bites sit for a minute before serving to allow the flavor to absorb. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best texture. For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper to the cornstarch mix or hot sauce to the butter. For a cheesy twist, toss finished bites with grated Parmesan.