Description

These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Bites with Honey Mustard Drizzle are the perfect combination of golden-crispy exterior and juicy, tender interior. Marinated in buttermilk and coated with seasoned panko breadcrumbs, these bite-sized morsels cook to perfection in the air fryer with minimal oil. Topped with a homemade honey mustard sauce that’s equal parts tangy and sweet, they’re guaranteed to disappear from the plate in minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Bites:

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 large eggs, beaten
Cooking spray

For the Honey Mustard Drizzle:

¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Add chicken pieces and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Working in batches, remove chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in flour (shaking off excess), then dip in egg, and finally press into panko until fully coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
Arrange chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd. Lightly mist with cooking spray.
Cook for 10 minutes, then flip each piece, spray again lightly, and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until golden-crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
While the chicken cooks, prepare the honey mustard drizzle by whisking together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth and glossy.

Serve the chicken bites hot with the honey mustard drizzle either on top or on the side for dipping.

Notes

For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon of dried herbs like thyme or oregano to the panko mixture.
If you don’t have buttermilk, make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk. Let sit for 5 minutes before using.
For spicy chicken bites, add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the buttermilk marinade.
The honey mustard sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

For best results, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – cook in batches if necessary.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Main Course
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6-7 chicken bites with sauce
Calories: 385
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 145mg

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