Description
These Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites are crispy, tender, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Made with skin-on chicken thighs and a simple blend of seasonings, this keto, paleo, and Whole30-friendly recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy snack or main dish. Marinated overnight and air fried to golden perfection, the chicken bites are served with chopped chives, optional furikake, and extra lemon wedges for a bright, delicious finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs skin-on
- 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
- 2-3 sprays avocado oil for the air fryer basket
For Serving
- 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. Place the pieces in a container just big enough to hold them.
- Marinate: 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 coated and in contact with the lemon juice. Cover and marinate overnight in the fridge, up to 24 hours, to develop flavor.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken pieces skin-side up in the air fryer basket, arranging them so they do not overlap but may slightly touch. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 20 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken bites to a serving plate. Sprinkle with chopped chives and optional furikake. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- You can use skinless/boneless chicken thighs, but the chicken skin adds crispiness and tenderness that enhances the dish.
- White pepper is recommended for an Asian-inspired flavor, but black pepper can be used as a substitute.
- Marinating overnight or up to 24 hours ensures the chicken is extra flavorful and makes this a great make-ahead recipe.
- If you do not have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken at 425°F (218°C) for 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then broil on high for 3 minutes to crisp the skin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
