Description

This Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites recipe features tender, juicy chicken thigh pieces marinated in zesty lemon juice and aromatic spices, cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer. It’s a keto, paleo, and Whole30-friendly dish that’s quick to prepare and bursting with fresh flavors. Perfect for a healthy snack or a flavorful main course.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

2 lbs. Chicken Thighs (skin-on, deboned and diced)
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 Air Frying and Garnish

2–3 sprays avocado oil (for the air fryer basket)
2 tbsp chopped chives
Sprinkle Furikake (optional)
Extra lemon wedges on the side (about quarter to half of one whole lemon)

Instructions

Prep the Chicken: Debone the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces slightly larger than typical bites. Use a deboning guide if needed to ensure easy preparation. Place the cut chicken into a container just large enough to hold them.
Marinate the Chicken: Add the coarse sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil to the chicken pieces. Gently mix to ensure every piece is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
Prepare Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces skin-side up in the basket, avoiding overcrowding or overlapping to promote even crisping.
Cook the Chicken: Air fry the chicken bites at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes. Cook until the skin is golden and crispy and the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Verify doneness with a meat thermometer ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken bites onto a serving plate. Sprinkle chopped chives and optional furikake over the top. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.

Notes

Marinating overnight enhances flavor and tenderness, but if short on time, marinate for at least 1 hour.
Using skin-on chicken thighs helps achieve crispy skin in the air fryer.
If you don’t have furikake, you can substitute with toasted sesame seeds or omit.
Ensure chicken pieces do not overlap in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.
Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and maintain juicy texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (~125g)
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2 g
Fiber: 0.2 g
Protein: 26 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg

Keywords: air fryer chicken, lemon chicken bites, keto chicken recipe, paleo chicken, Whole30 chicken, crispy chicken thighs, healthy chicken snacks