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These crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites are the perfect blend of savory, buttery, and cheesy flavors. This 20-minute air fryer recipe makes a great gluten-free and low-carb appetizer, lunch, or dinner!
Looking for a quick and delicious meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters? Look no further than this easy parmesan chicken! Tender chicken is coated in a crispy parmesan crust with savory spices, baked to perfection in the air fryer, and then tossed in a homemade garlic butter sauce. This recipe is great for busy weeknights or when you are craving something crunchy, savory, and high in protein.
Enjoy chicken parmesan bites simply served as an appetizer or snack with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard. Or make them a main course by pairing them with sides or adding them to salads and wraps!
If you want more air fryer chicken recipes, try my stuffed chicken breast, chicken tenderloins, or chicken parmesan.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy. All you need is 10 minutes to prep these chicken parm bites, then let the air fryer do the rest! You will have a delicious meal on the table in just 20 minutes.
- Healthier. Unlike traditional fried chicken, this recipe is air fried, not deep fried, making it a healthier option. They’re lower in fat and calories but still packed with flavor.
- Kid-friendly. These garlic parmesan chicken nuggets have a crispy texture and cheesy flavor that kids love, making them a great option for family meals.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you will need to make this parmesan chicken recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will make them extra crispy when cooked.
- Avocado Oil: The mild flavor and high smoke point make this the ideal cooking oil for the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use olive oil.
- Parmesan: Grated parmesan cheese adds a savory, buttery flavor and helps create a crispy crust on the garlic parmesan chicken breast cubes. Freshly grate the cheese from the block for the richest flavor!
- Seasonings: Garlic powder adds a rich, savory taste, onion powder brings a subtle sweet onion flavor, and salt helps tenderize the chicken.
- Butter: Adds richness to the sauce for these garlic parmesan chicken bites. Use unsalted butter for the most control over the seasoning of the dish.
How to Make Parmesan Chicken Bites
Below are photos and recipe steps so you can easily make this recipe at home. You will also need an air fryer, a large mixing bowl, a knife, a cutting board, cooking spray, and a rubber spatula or mixing spoon.
Prep the Chicken
Preheat the air fryer to 380ºF. Toss the chicken pieces in 1 tablespoon of oil and set aside in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, stir together the grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the oiled chicken until well-coated.
Cook the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and carefully add the parmesan garlic chicken pieces in a single layer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165ºF, flipping halfway through.
Toss in the Garlic Butter Sauce
While the chicken cooks, stir together the melted butter, 1 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp salt. Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place it in a clean large bowl. Toss with the melted butter mixture until well combined and serve!
Serve
Serve parmesan garlic chicken breast bites as an appetizer, a main course with a side of veggies, or add to your favorite lunch or dinner dishes. We love it tossed into this Spring Salad, as a protein-heavy topping for Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, or tossed in this Lemony Pasta with Broccoli. Below are some of our most-loved side dishes to pair with this recipe.
- Crispy Keto Fries
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
Tips and Tricks
- Preheat the air fryer before cooking the chicken bites. This helps create a crispier texture on the outside of the chicken, similar to deep-frying. Note: some newer models of air fryers do not require preheating, so you can omit this step if the manufacturer directions say so.
- Cut the chicken uniformly into bite-sized pieces to ensure the chicken cooks evenly in the air fryer. Also, be sure to toss the chicken halfway through the cooking time so each piece of chicken gets nice and crispy!
- Garnish with herbs like parsley or basil for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Parmesan Chicken Bites FAQ
Allow leftover chicken bites to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked chicken in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. If you want to be able to take out one serving at a time, spread out on a baking sheet and freeze for 2-4 hours first before transferring to a freezer bag or container.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 3-5 minutes, in the oven at 350ºF for 5-10 minutes, or in a lightly oiled skillet/pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, tossing or stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Yes, this recipe is gluten free when prepared as described. It is also low-carb, grain-free, and keto-friendly.
Yes, you can make garlic parmesan chicken thighs instead of using chicken breasts. It is important to note that chicken thighs have more fat than chicken breasts, so the texture and flavor may be slightly different than the original recipe. Chicken tenderloins would work as well.
You can use a different type of cheese instead of Parmesan. Some good alternatives include romano, asiago, or even a blend of dry Italian cheeses. Use freshly grated cheese if possible for the richest flavor!
More Chicken Bite Recipes
- Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites
- Air Fryer Chicken and Mushrooms
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Garlic Butter:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the 1 tbsp of oil and set aside.
- Stir together the grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add to the oiled chicken and toss to coat.
- Once preheated, spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and carefully add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees), flipping halfway through.
- While the chicken cooks, stir together the melted butter, 1 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp salt in a small bowl.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place in a large bowl. Toss with the melted butter mixture and serve!
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- These are really buttery, garlicky chicken bites that are perfect for salads and wraps. They’re also great on their own!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
