Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Name: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour; 2 cups (120 g) panko breadcrumbs; 2 tsp kosher salt, divided; 1 tsp garlic powder, divided; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Neutral oil spray; 2 tsp sesame oil; 3 garlic cloves, crushed; 1/4 cup honey; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce; 3/4 cup water; 1 tbsp cornstarch; Lemon juice and salt, to taste; Sesame seeds and sliced green onion, optional

Breaded chicken bites without deep frying. Cube breast into nugget-sized pieces, coat in flour, egg and panko, then air fry until golden. While they cook, simmer honey, garlic, soy and sweet chili into a glossy sauce and toss the hot bites at the end so the crust stays crisp.

25 min total
400°F / 204°C
4 servings
10 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Even cubes cook evenly

Cut bite-sized pieces about the same size as chicken nuggets. Pat dry before breading so the coat sticks.

Sauce after crisping

Simmer the honey garlic sauce on the stove while the chicken cooks. Toss in a bowl once the bites are done, not in the basket.

Mist the crumbs

A light oil spray on the breaded bites is what browns panko in the air fryer. Skip it and the coating stays pale.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Total 25 min · 4 servings

Air Fryer400°F / 204°C

Basket time15 min

Flip / shakeat 8 min

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. One layer only. Overlapping bites steam and the panko stays soft.

From frozen. Bread and freeze uncooked bites on a tray, then bag. Air fry from frozen at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping once. Sauce after they are done.

Basket liner (optional). Air fryer paper basket liners are optional. They catch drips and make cleanup easier. Use the molded type that fits your basket; air flows around the sides. Never cover the whole basket floor with solid foil.

Ingredients

Servings

Chicken

1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (120 g) panko breadcrumbs
2 tsp kosher salt, divided
1 tsp garlic powder, divided
1/2 tsp black pepper
Neutral oil spray

Honey garlic sauce

2 tsp sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup honey
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch
Lemon juice and salt, to taste

To serve

Sesame seeds and sliced green onion, optional

Oven fallback

425°F / 218°C · 18 minutes.

Wire rack over a sheet pan, flip at 10 minutes. Same sauce toss at the end.

Kitchen tips

Boneless thighs work if you prefer juicier bites.
Double the sauce if you like extra for rice.
Breaded bites reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 4 minutes before tossing with fresh sauce.
Use tamari or coconut aminos and gluten-free panko for a GF version.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Bread

Cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry. Season the flour and panko each with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and a pinch of pepper.
Set up three bowls: seasoned flour, beaten eggs and seasoned panko. Coat each piece in flour, then egg, then panko, pressing so the crumbs stick.
Chicken bites coated in panko breadcrumbs

Cook

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange bites in a single layer and mist with oil. Air fry 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep gold and the thickest piece reads 165°F (74°C).
Golden breaded chicken bites in the air fryer basket
Meanwhile, whisk cornstarch into water. Simmer sesame oil, garlic, honey, soy sauce and sweet chili sauce in a small pan. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until slightly thickened. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Toss

Transfer hot chicken to a bowl, pour over the sauce and toss to coat. Top with sesame seeds and green onion if using. Serve immediately with rice or noodles.
Honey garlic chicken bites tossed in glossy sauce