Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Bites
If you need a go-to protein that works for meal prep, weeknight dinners, and party appetizers all at once, these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Bites are it. Juicy, smoky, coated in your favourite BBQ sauce, and ready in under 20 minutes.
These are simple spiced chicken breast cubes, air fried until cooked through and then finished with a quick brush of BBQ sauce for that sticky, caramelized coating. No breading – just big BBQ flavour with way less oil than the pan-fried version.
This recipe is actually part of my air fryer BBQ chicken series here on Love and Other Spices, and honestly, it earns its spot as a regular in our house. I make a big batch on Sunday and we eat it through the week – in rice bowls, wraps, salads, or just straight out of the fridge.
If you’re into all things BBQ, you’ll love BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, BBQ Chicken Thighs, BBQ Chicken Wings, and BBQ Chicken Meatballs.
Ingredient Notes
*Scroll down for the recipe card with a full ingredient list and measurements.
- Chicken breasts: Cut into even 1-inch cubes so they cook at the same rate. Chicken thighs work great too and stay a little juicier – use boneless, skinless.
- Oil: Just 1 tablespoon to help the seasoning stick and keep the chicken moist. Any neutral oil works.
- Smoked paprika: This is the one that gives the bites that smoky flavor.
- Garlic powder and onion powder: The savoury must-haves in a seasoning mix.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple, but essential.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favourite store-bought sauce. Any style works – sweet, smoky, spicy or honey.
How to Cook Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Bites
*Scroll down for the printable recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Season: Toss the chicken cubes with oil and all the seasonings. Let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Air fry: Cook at 350F (175C) for 10 minutes in a single layer.
- Sauce and finish: Brush or toss with BBQ sauce, then air fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until sticky and caramelized.
- Serve: Eat immediately or let cool and store for meal prep.
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Recipe Tips
- Cut your chicken evenly. Uneven pieces = some overcooked, some undercooked. Aim for 1-inch cubes throughout.
- Prefer thighs? Swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs. They’re a bit more forgiving and stay juicy even if you cook them a minute longer.
- Want it spicier? Add 1/4 tsp cayenne or a splash of hot sauce into the BBQ sauce before tossing.
- Different sauce? Honey garlic, teriyaki, or buffalo sauce all work beautifully with the same base seasoning.
Serving Suggestions
These BBQ chicken bites are one of the most versatile things I make. Here’s how we eat them:
- In a rice bowl with steamed jasmine rice and sliced avocado – try my basmati rice.
- Stuffed into wraps with lettuce, tomato and a drizzle of ranch
- Served as an appetizer with extra BBQ sauce or ranch on the side
- On top of a salad for a quick high-protein lunch
- As part of your weekly meal prep alongside roasted veggies – try my Air Fryer Vegetables or Oven Roasted Vegetables.
FAQs
I don’t always preheat for this recipe and it turns out great. If your air fryer runs cool, preheat at 350F for 3 minutes first.
Yes! Freeze cooked chicken bites (without sauce) in a single layer, then transfer to a bag. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350F for 6 to 8 minutes, then sauce and finish for 2 minutes.
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Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into even 1-inch cubes and place in a bowl.
- Add oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss well to coat evenly. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350℉(175℃) for 10 minutes.
- Remove basket. Brush or toss the chicken bites with BBQ sauce.
- Return to air fryer and cook for a further 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce is sticky and slightly caramelized.
- Serve immediately or cool and store for meal prep.
Notes
- Chicken thighs: Boneless skinless thighs are a great swap. Same method, slightly juicier result.
- Spice it up: Add 1/4 tsp cayenne to the seasoning mix or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked, un-sauced bites for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 350F for 6 to 8 minutes, then sauce and finish.