Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites made with skin-on chicken thighs marinated in lemon juice and aromatic spices. This keto, paleo, and whole30-friendly recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken with a zesty kick and golden, crispy skin—perfect for a satisfying snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 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
For Air Fryer Basket
- 2-3 sprays avocado oil
To Serve
- 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 into a container that fits them snugly for marinating.
- Marinate: Add 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 well-coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
- Prepare the Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up in a single layer, avoiding overlapping so each piece crisps properly.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook the chicken bites for 20 minutes. The skin should turn golden and crispy, and the meat cooked through. Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure doneness.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken bites to a serving plate. Sprinkle with chopped chives and optional furikake. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra zest.
Notes
- Using skin-on chicken thighs is key for crispy, tender bites. Skinless/boneless thighs will be less flavorful and lack crispness.
- White pepper lends an Asian-inspired flavor, complementing the lemon and garlic. Black pepper is a fine substitute but will change the flavor profile.
- Marinate overnight or up to 24 hours to allow flavors to fully develop and tenderize the chicken.
- If air fryer is unavailable, bake at 425°F (218°C) for 15 minutes skin-side up on parchment-lined sheet pan, then broil for 3 minutes to crisp up the skin. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
