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Golden lemon chicken bites served on a white plate with lemon dipping sauce and parsley garnish.

Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites – Quick, High-Protein, Low-Carb Dinner in 25 Minutes

Molly
These Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites are crisp, juicy, and loaded with zesty garlic-lemon flavor. They come together in just 25 minutes and are perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or low-carb, high-protein diets. Made with simple pantry staples and no breading, this easy chicken recipe is a go-to for healthy comfort food that tastes like a treat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Meal Prep
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 295 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large lemon zested and juiced (about 3 tbsp juice)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Optional: fresh parsley red pepper flakes for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
    In a large bowl, toss the chicken with lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it sit while the air fryer preheats—about 10 minutes.
  • Step 2: Preheat Your Air Fryer
    Set the air fryer to 400°F. Preheating helps give those bites a crispier edge.
  • Step 3: Cook
    Add the chicken to the basket in a single layer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through. Internal temperature should hit 165°F.
  • Step 4: Serve
    Serve hot, garnished with parsley or a pinch of chili flakes. Pair with rice, salad, or roasted veggies—or eat straight from the bowl.

Notes

Secret Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites

1. Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness: While chicken breast is lean and high in protein, boneless skinless chicken thighs give these air fryer lemon chicken bites a tender, juicier finish. They’re still a great low-carb choice and stay moist in the air fryer.
2. Marinate for 15–30 minutes for maximum flavor: A short marinade with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and herbs allows the citrusy brightness to penetrate the chicken, giving you a zesty lemon chicken dinner that doesn’t rely on heavy breading or sauces.
3. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: To get those crispy edges on your lemon chicken bites, make sure they’re in a single layer with space around each piece. This ensures even browning and avoids steaming.
4. Toss halfway through for balanced crisp: Flip or shake the basket around the halfway mark so every bite gets golden and evenly cooked—key for that perfect high-protein air fryer dinner.
5. Add a lemon wedge post-cook: Just before serving, hit the bites with a fresh squeeze of lemon. It sharpens all the flavors and gives that final punch that makes this a restaurant-style low-carb meal.
6. Pair with a yogurt-based dip or herbed cauliflower rice: These bites go well with Greek yogurt dip or lemon herb cauliflower rice for a clean, low-carb lemon chicken meal prep idea that satisfies.
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