Description
Delicious and crispy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Bites made with skin-on chicken thighs marinated in lemon juice and spices. This keto, paleo, and Whole30-friendly dish delivers flavorful, juicy chicken with golden, crispy skin, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken 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
- 2-3 sprays avocado oil for the air fryer basket
To Serve
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
- Sprinkle furikake (optional)
- Extra lemon wedges (about quarter to half of one whole lemon)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Debone the chicken thighs and dice them into slightly larger than bite-sized pieces. Transfer them to a container just large enough to hold all pieces.
- Marinate: Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil to the chicken. Mix gently ensuring all pieces are coated and submerged in lemon juice. Marinate in the fridge overnight or up to 24 hours for best flavor.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken pieces skin-side up in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlapping so each piece crisps properly.
- Air Fry: Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 20 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Transfer chicken bites to a serving plate. Sprinkle with chopped chives and optional furikake. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Using skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs is recommended for the best crispy texture and tenderness, but skinless/boneless can be used if preferred.
- White pepper adds an Asian-inspired flavor; black pepper can be substituted if unavailable.
- Marinate the chicken overnight or up to 24 hours to enhance flavor.
- If using an oven instead of an air fryer, bake at 425°F (218°C) for 15 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 100 g
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
