Description

Delicious and juicy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites made with skin-on chicken thighs, seasoned with garlic, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil. These keto, paleo, and Whole30-friendly chicken bites feature crispy skin and tender meat, cooked quickly in an air fryer for a healthy, flavorful meal or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 lbs. Chicken Thighs (skin-on)

Seasonings and Marinade

1.5 tsp coarse sea salt
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp white pepper
¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 to 1 ½ whole lemons)
2 tbsp olive oil

For Cooking

2–3 sprays avocado oil (for the air fryer basket)

To Garnish and Serve

2 tbsp chopped chives
Sprinkle Furikake (optional)
Extra lemon wedges (about quarter to half of one whole lemon)

Instructions

Prep the Chicken: Debone the chicken thighs and dice them into slightly larger than bite-sized pieces. If unfamiliar with deboning, refer to the suggested blog post or web story for guidance. Transfer the diced chicken into a container that fits all pieces comfortably.
Marinate the Chicken: Add coarse sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil to the chicken pieces. Gently toss to ensure all pieces are evenly coated and in contact with lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate to marinate overnight or up to 24 hours for best flavor.
Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking and ensure crispiness.
Arrange Chicken: Place the marinated chicken bites in the air fryer basket skin-side up. Space them so they are close but not overlapping, allowing each piece to crisp up properly.
Air Fry: Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes. Cook until the skin is golden and crispy and the chicken is cooked through. To ensure safety, check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a digital meat thermometer.
Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken bites to a medium-sized serving plate. Sprinkle with chopped chives and furikake (if using). Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an added fresh citrus kick.

Notes

Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness but a minimum of 1 hour is recommended if short on time.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
Check chicken doneness by internal temperature rather than cooking time alone.
Furikake is optional but adds a flavorful umami boost.
If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of chili flakes to the marinade.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Snack
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 oz (about 1 cup cooked chicken bites)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 0.5 g
Sodium: 500 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 26 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: Air fryer chicken, lemon chicken bites, keto chicken recipe, paleo chicken, Whole30 chicken, crispy chicken bites, healthy chicken snack