Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken Bites
Golden, crispy chicken bites seasoned with salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic, cooked quickly in the air fryer for a healthier snack or meal. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breast, cornstarch, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- as needed vegetable oil spray
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced scallions
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red chili flakes
The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Toss 1 lb cubed boneless skinless chicken breast until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Step 2: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: Place coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the tops lightly with vegetable oil spray.
- Step 4: Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping. Cook until chicken is golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Step 5: Transfer chicken bites to a serving bowl. Garnish with 2 thinly sliced scallions and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if using. Serve immediately.









