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Discover the easiest way to prepare juicy and flavorful diced chicken breast using your air fryer. This Air Fryer Diced Chicken Breast recipe transforms plain chicken into a delicious dish with minimal effort. This recipe is a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, perfect for quick dinners, meal prep, or adding to salads and pasta.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Diced Chicken Breast

Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals. The air fryer does most of the work, freeing you up for other tasks.
Healthy and Nutritious: Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this chicken dish is low in calories and high in protein. It’s a great choice for those following a gluten-free or low-carb diet.
Versatile: Whether you want to serve it over rice, mix it with veggies, or add it to pasta, this diced chicken breast adapts to any meal. You can even enjoy it as a healthy snack.
Perfectly Seasoned: With a blend of olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, each bite is bursting with flavor. You can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
Consistently Delicious: The air fryer ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays juicy inside with a nice, slightly crispy outside. No more dry, overcooked chicken!

Ingredients For Air Fryer Diced Chicken Breast

Chicken Breast: The star of the recipe, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
Olive Oil: Helps to keep the chicken moist and prevents it from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken.
Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.
Garlic Powder: Brings a savory, aromatic taste that complements the chicken.
Paprika: Adds a touch of color and a mild, sweet peppery flavor.

For the exact measurements of the ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.

Kitchen Tools You Need To Make Air Fryer Diced Chicken Breast

Air Fryer: Essential for cooking the chicken quickly and evenly while keeping it juicy.
Mixing Bowl: Used to combine the chicken with the olive oil and seasonings.
Measuring Spoons: Ensure precise measurement of the seasonings for consistent flavor.
Tongs: Handy for tossing the chicken with the oil and seasonings and for turning the chicken pieces halfway through cooking.
Instant-Read Thermometer: Important for checking that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

How To Make Air Fryer Diced Chicken Breast

Prepare Chicken: Start by placing your diced chicken breast into a mixing bowl.
Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
Season Chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika over the chicken. Toss to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
Air Fry: Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken for 10 minutes.
Midway Toss: Halfway through cooking, remove the basket and toss the chicken pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
Check Doneness: Once done, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the chicken pieces have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Over Rice: Serve the diced chicken breast over a bed of steamed rice for a simple and satisfying meal. Get inspired by other rice recipes such as coconut rice, baked rice, sushi rice, oven rice and cauliflower rice.
With Veggies: Mix the chicken with roasted or steamed vegetables for a healthy, balanced dish. See the perfect vegetable pairings for chicken, such as sautee cabbage, pan-fried lettuce, and spicy spinach.
In a Salad: Add the chicken to a fresh salad with your favorite greens, veggies, and a light dressing for a nutritious lunch. Discover delicious salads you can make with diced chicken like Persian cucumber salad, easy pasta salad, and lettuce mix salad.
With Pasta: Stir the chicken into cooked pasta with a light sauce for a quick and comforting dinner. What a pasta recipe! See more
As a Snack: Enjoy the chicken pieces on their own as a protein-packed snack, perfect for any time of day.

Tips For Success

Even Cutting: Make sure to cut the chicken breast into evenly sized pieces. This ensures that they cook at the same rate, preventing some pieces from being overcooked while others are undercooked.
Pre-Coating with Oil: Don’t skip the step of tossing the chicken with olive oil before adding the seasonings. The oil helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken and keeps it moist during cooking.
Single Layer: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy chicken.
Shaking Midway: Remember to shake or toss the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time. This promotes even browning and ensures that all sides are cooked properly.
Check Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached at least 165°F. This guarantees that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Adjust Cooking Time: Air fryer models can vary, so keep an eye on the chicken towards the end of the cooking time. If your chicken pieces are larger or your air fryer is less powerful, you might need to cook them a bit longer.
Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings to suit your taste. Lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or Italian herbs can all provide delicious variations.
Reheating Tips: If you have leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to retain their crispiness.

Variations And Substitutions

Different Seasonings: Experiment with various seasoning blends to change up the flavor profile. Try lemon pepper for a zesty twist, Cajun seasoning for a bit of heat, or Italian herbs for a classic taste.
Marinades: Marinate the chicken in your favorite sauce or dressing before cooking. Teriyaki, BBQ, or a simple lemon-garlic marinade can add extra depth of flavor.
Vegetables: Add diced vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini to the air fryer basket along with the chicken. This makes for a convenient one-basket meal.
Boneless Thighs: Substitute chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer, juicier option. Adjust cooking time as needed since thighs may cook a bit longer.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the seasoning mix for a spicy version of this recipe.
Herbaceous Touch: Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the seasoning mix for an aromatic and flavorful chicken.
Garlic Lovers: Increase the amount of garlic powder or add minced fresh garlic to the mix for a stronger garlic flavor.
Citrus Flavor: Add a splash of lemon or lime juice to the olive oil before tossing with the chicken for a bright, citrusy note.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Place any leftover diced chicken breast in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken. Place the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will last for up to 3 months.
Reheating in the Air Fryer: To reheat the chicken and maintain its crispiness, place the pieces in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.
Reheating in the Microwave: If you prefer to use the microwave, place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes. Be aware that the microwave may make the chicken less crispy.
Reheating on the Stovetop: Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil to the pan and heat the chicken, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook diced chicken breast in an air fryer?

Cooking diced chicken breast in an air fryer typically takes about 10 minutes at 400°F. Make sure to check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Can I use frozen chicken breast for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. However, it’s best to thaw it completely before dicing and cooking to ensure even cooking and proper seasoning adhesion. If you need to cook from frozen, increase the cooking time and check for doneness.

What can I serve with air fryer diced chicken breast?

This versatile chicken can be served over rice, mixed with roasted vegetables, added to salads, stirred into pasta, or enjoyed on its own as a snack. It pairs well with a variety of sides and dishes.

How do I prevent the chicken from drying out in the air fryer?

Coating the chicken with olive oil before seasoning helps retain moisture. Also, avoid overcooking by checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer and not exceeding 165°F.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe, but make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

What other seasonings can I use?

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings such as lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, Italian herbs, or even a marinade like teriyaki or BBQ sauce. Adjust the recipe to suit your taste preferences.

How do I ensure the chicken cooks evenly?

Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces and shake or stir the basket halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that all pieces are exposed to the hot air evenly.

Is this recipe healthy?

Yes, this recipe is healthy as it uses lean chicken breast, minimal oil, and simple seasonings. It’s low in calories, high in protein, and suitable for gluten-free and low-carb diets.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used in place of chicken breast. They may require a slightly longer cooking time due to their higher fat content.

What if my air fryer model takes longer to cook the chicken?

If your air fryer takes longer to cook, simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.

Try More Delicious Chicken Recipes

Air Fryer Thin Cut Chicken Breasts: Quick and juicy thin sliced chicken breasts cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Impossible Chicken Nuggets: Delicious and crispy Impossible chicken nuggets made effortlessly in the air fryer.

Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets: Golden and tender baked chicken cutlets that are perfect for any meal.

Skillet Fried Breaded Chicken Tenders: Crispy and flavorful breaded chicken tenders pan-fried to a perfect golden brown.

Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli Recipe: A healthy and tasty air fryer dish combining juicy chicken and tender broccoli.

Oven Broiled Chicken Tenders: Simple and delicious broiled chicken tenders that are both juicy and flavorful.

BBQ Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs: Perfectly grilled boneless chicken thighs that are juicy and packed with smoky flavor.

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