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Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites

Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites
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These Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites are a quick, crispy, and flavorful snack or meal option. With a golden crunchy crust infused with tangy ranch seasoning, juicy chicken inside, and ready in under 30 minutes, they offer a healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken bites. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, they combine convenience with crave-worthy taste and are kid-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating

  • 1 cup ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free crackers/almond flour for gluten-free option)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or sharp cheddar/asiago cheese as variation)

Binding and Crisping

  • 1 large egg, lightly whisked
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into evenly sized bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to help the coating adhere better.
  2. Mix the Coating: In one bowl, lightly whisk the egg to use as a binder. In a separate bowl, combine the ranch seasoning, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese to create the flavorful crust mixture.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Press the coating gently onto the chicken for an extra crispy crust.
  4. Air Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the coated chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Lightly spray the bites with olive oil spray. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the crust is golden and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the crispy chicken bites to a serving plate and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard, or spicy aioli.

Notes

  • Cut chicken pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow maximum crispiness.
  • Preheat the air fryer to help the bites start crisping immediately.
  • Use panko breadcrumbs for an even crunchier texture.
  • For a thicker crust, double dip the chicken by coating it twice in the egg and breadcrumb mixture before air frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken bites, ranch chicken bites, crispy chicken bites, healthy chicken snack, kid-friendly chicken bites

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/air-fryer-ranch-crusted-chicken-bites/