Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites

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These Air-fryer honey chipotle chicken bites are crowd-pleasing and satisfyingly hit the sweet heat spot while being easy to make. Tender chicken bites take on a glaze from the combo of chipotle and honey.

They are satisfyingly crunchy and can be enjoyed without the guilt of deep frying. They take less than 30 minutes, so they are perfect for a treat that can be enjoyed on game days, busy weeks, or weekdays.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into one-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Cooking spray

For the Honey Chipotle Sauce:

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, very finely minced
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Lime wedges

Instructions

Prepare the Coating Station

Set up a two-bowl coating system.

In the first, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. In the second, beat the eggs.

It’s important to remember to add the cornstarch along with the flour to this mixture, since that will create a crispier coating that won’t be too heavy and bread-like.

Coat the Chicken

Use paper towels to dry each piece of chicken completely.

The moisture comes off the chicken and creates steam and sogginess while frying.

In small batches, take each piece of chicken and dip it into the egg and allowing excess egg to drip off, then dredge it into the flour mixture.

Make sure to press down into the flour to coat it properly.

Place the coated chicken on a plate until all the chicken is done.

Let the coated chicken sit for 5 minutes so the coating can set for maximum adhesion.

Preheat and Prep the Air Fryer

Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F and allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes.

When the air fryer is finished preheating, spray the basket of the air fryer with a generous amount of cooking spray to allow for easy transfer of the chicken, and so the coating can get that nice golden brown color.

Make sure to arrange the chicken in a single layer with enough room between each piece so that the air can flow to crisp the breading.

You will most likely have to do this step in 2 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air-frying the chicken

Before you start putting the chicken pieces into the Air Fryer, please use the spray oil to spray the tops of all chicken pieces. Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F.

After 10 minutes, carefully use tongs to flip the chicken, spray oil into the side that was just facing up, and set the air fryer back on for 8 to 10 minutes.

You are looking for an internal temperature of 165°F.

If the chicken is golden brown, you are all set.

When pressed, the chicken should feel firm, and the coating should be a little crunchy.

Once the batch is done, you can place the chicken in a bowl or a plate and do the same with the leftover chicken.

Prepare the Honey Chipotle sauce

While you wait for the chicken to be done, it is the perfect time to start the sauce.

You can use a small pot and place it on the stove at a medium temperature.

Pour the honey, minced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic into the pot.

Stir until it begins to simmer a little on the stove.

When the sauce is first added, you may notice how it is a little bit watery, but be on the lookout for the sauce to start thickening.

If the sauce is at a simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, it should be heated enough that it is a coating sauce.

Take the pot off the stove and add the butter and salt for a finishing touch.

When the salt and butter are added, it should be a little bit richer and stick to the chicken better.

If you need to adjust the spice level, just add more chipotle for a spicier sauce or honey for more of a sweet sauce.

Toss and Serve

Add all your cooked chicken bites to a large mixing bowl.

Drizzle the warm honey chipotle sauce over the chicken and toss them together gently.

Ensure that every chicken gets evenly coated with the honey chipotle sauce.

Put the chicken on your serving platter and top with chopped fresh cilantro and sesame seeds, serving the dish with wedges of lime.

The lime juice adds a bright, sweet contrast that cuts through the richness.

Successful Tips

1. Uniform Sizing is Important: The chicken should be cut into uniform pieces so that it cooks evenly. I suggest cutting the chicken into 1-inch cubes so that all the pieces cook evenly and none are left overcooked, dry, or uncooked.
2. Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the chicken pieces rest for at least 5 minutes after coating them. When you let chicken rest for a little while, the coating really sets and adheres to them a lot better.
3. Check the Temp: Use a meat thermometer. Chicken is dry and unsafe at 165°F. If you use this temp every time, you will 100% get juicy, proper chicken every time.
4. Managing Spice Level: If you are more heat-sensitive, start with 2 chipotle peppers; you can always add in more, but you can’t take any out. Also, don’t skip the adobo sauce; it has all the smokiness.
5. Do it in Small Groups: We know it may be tempting, but don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Crispiness requires good airflow, and when you have pieces overlapping, the air fryer will steam them, and they will get soggy.
6. Consistency of the Sauce: If the sauce cools down and thickens too much, warm it up a little and add a small amount of water or apple cider vinegar before tossing the chicken in.

Ingredient Substitutions For Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites

1. Breasts for Thighs: If you prefer a more juicy chicken, you can substitute the chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs. Cooking time and amount will remain the same.
2. Honey for Maple Syrup: The same amount of pure maple syrup can be used to give a deeper and more complex sweetness to the dish.
3. Chipotle for Cayenne: In case you can’t find the chipotle peppers, it is possible to substitute them with 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. You’ll lose smokiness, but heat will be maintained.
4. No Gluten: You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour, and make sure your cornstarch is gluten-free.
5. Use tamari for gluten-free options and coconut aminos for alternatives to soy. It won’t taste the same, but it’s still pretty good.
6. For this recipe, apple cider vinegar can be switched for rice vinegar. It has a milder tang, which works well for this dish. White vinegar can be used, but it’s sharper and may require a lower amount to be used. In this case, 1.5 tbs is good.

How To Store Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites

For storing leftover sauce and chicken bites, refrigerate them in airtight containers, but separately.

For the coating, it will soften in the fridge, but the tin can be revived to a good crispness by air frying at 375°F for 5 to 6 minutes.

For the negating sauce, cook the chicken bites before freezing.

Naturally, they should be unsauced and frozen in one single layer on a baking sheet until solid.

Then, move them to a freezer-safe bag for 2 months. When reheating, it’s best to thaw them overnight in the fridge.

For reheating, air frying is the best option.

Cook chicken in a single layer at 375°F for 5-7 mins until they’re heated through and crispy. Then toss with the sauce and serve.

If you’re pressed for time, you can coat the chicken about 4 hours in advance and put it in the fridge till you’re ready to cook.

As for the sauce, you can make it beforehand and leave it in the fridge for about two days, then toss it in as you reheat it.

Yield: 4-6 servings (approximately 24-30 chicken bites)

Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites

Print

These Air-fryer honey chipotle chicken bites are crowd-pleasing and satisfyingly hit the sweet heat spot while being easy to make. Tender chicken bites take on a glaze from the combo of chipotle and honey.

They are satisfyingly crunchy and can be enjoyed without the guilt of deep frying. They take less than 30 minutes, so they are perfect for a treat that can be enjoyed on game days, busy weeks, or weekdays.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• Ingredients
• For the Chicken:
• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into one-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Cooking spray
• For the Honey Chipotle Sauce:
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, very finely minced
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For Garnish:
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Lime wedges

Instructions

Instructions

Prepare the Coating Station

Set up a two-bowl coating system.

In the first, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. In the second, beat the eggs.

It's important to remember to add the cornstarch along with the flour to this mixture, since that will create a crispier coating that won't be too heavy and bread-like.

Coat the Chicken

Use paper towels to dry each piece of chicken completely.

The moisture comes off the chicken and creates steam and sogginess while frying.

In small batches, take each piece of chicken and dip it into the egg and allowing excess egg to drip off, then dredge it into the flour mixture.

Make sure to press down into the flour to coat it properly.

Place the coated chicken on a plate until all the chicken is done.

Let the coated chicken sit for 5 minutes so the coating can set for maximum adhesion.

Preheat and Prep the Air Fryer

Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F and allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes.

When the air fryer is finished preheating, spray the basket of the air fryer with a generous amount of cooking spray to allow for easy transfer of the chicken, and so the coating can get that nice golden brown color.

Make sure to arrange the chicken in a single layer with enough room between each piece so that the air can flow to crisp the breading.

You will most likely have to do this step in 2 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air-frying the chicken

Before you start putting the chicken pieces into the Air Fryer, please use the spray oil to spray the tops of all chicken pieces. Cook for 10 minutes at 400°F.

After 10 minutes, carefully use tongs to flip the chicken, spray oil into the side that was just facing up, and set the air fryer back on for 8 to 10 minutes.

You are looking for an internal temperature of 165°F.

If the chicken is golden brown, you are all set.

When pressed, the chicken should feel firm, and the coating should be a little crunchy.

Once the batch is done, you can place the chicken in a bowl or a plate and do the same with the leftover chicken.

Prepare the Honey Chipotle sauce

While you wait for the chicken to be done, it is the perfect time to start the sauce.

You can use a small pot and place it on the stove at a medium temperature.

Pour the honey, minced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic into the pot.

Stir until it begins to simmer a little on the stove.

When the sauce is first added, you may notice how it is a little bit watery, but be on the lookout for the sauce to start thickening.

If the sauce is at a simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, it should be heated enough that it is a coating sauce.

Take the pot off the stove and add the butter and salt for a finishing touch.

When the salt and butter are added, it should be a little bit richer and stick to the chicken better.

If you need to adjust the spice level, just add more chipotle for a spicier sauce or honey for more of a sweet sauce.

Toss and Serve

Add all your cooked chicken bites to a large mixing bowl.

Drizzle the warm honey chipotle sauce over the chicken and toss them together gently.

Ensure that every chicken gets evenly coated with the honey chipotle sauce.

Put the chicken on your serving platter and top with chopped fresh cilantro and sesame seeds, serving the dish with wedges of lime.

The lime juice adds a bright, sweet contrast that cuts through the richness.

Notes

Successful Tips

1. Uniform Sizing is Important: The chicken should be cut into uniform pieces so that it cooks evenly. I suggest cutting the chicken into 1-inch cubes so that all the pieces cook evenly and none are left overcooked, dry, or uncooked.
2. Don't Skip the Rest: Let the chicken pieces rest for at least 5 minutes after coating them. When you let chicken rest for a little while, the coating really sets and adheres to them a lot better.
3. Check the Temp: Use a meat thermometer. Chicken is dry and unsafe at 165°F. If you use this temp every time, you will 100% get juicy, proper chicken every time.
4. Managing Spice Level: If you are more heat-sensitive, start with 2 chipotle peppers; you can always add in more, but you can’t take any out. Also, don’t skip the adobo sauce; it has all the smokiness.
5. Do it in Small Groups: We know it may be tempting, but don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Crispiness requires good airflow, and when you have pieces overlapping, the air fryer will steam them, and they will get soggy.
6. Consistency of the Sauce: If the sauce cools down and thickens too much, warm it up a little and add a small amount of water or apple cider vinegar before tossing the chicken in.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

4-5 chicken bites with sauce
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 310 kcalTotal Fat: 8ggCarbohydrates: 32ggProtein: 28gg

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