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Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites

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These Air Fryer Ranch-Crusted Chicken Bites are crispy, juicy, and packed with tangy ranch flavor. Perfect as a quick snack, party appetizer, or kid-friendly dinner, they come together fast with simple pantry staples and no messy frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (about 1 packet)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breast into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with buttermilk. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature (or up to 30 minutes in the fridge).
  3. Set up three bowls: Bowl 1 – mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bowl 2 – beat egg until frothy. Bowl 3 – combine panko breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning mix, and Parmesan cheese.
  4. Working in batches, lift chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Coat in flour mixture, then dip in egg, then press into breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Place on a wire rack or plate.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes.
  6. Arrange chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray tops with olive oil spray.
  7. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip each piece, spray again, and cook for another 4–6 minutes until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Add 2 more minutes if needed.
  8. Let bites cool for 2–3 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite dip.

Notes

For extra crunch, double-dip chicken in egg and breadcrumbs. Don’t crowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches for best results. Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a GF version, or dairy-free milk and cheese alternatives if needed. Bites can be baked at 425°F for 15–18 minutes if you don’t have an air fryer.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, ranch chicken, chicken bites, crispy chicken, appetizer, snack, kid-friendly, party food, easy recipe, panko, ranch seasoning

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/air-fryer-ranch-crusted-chicken-bites-recipe-easy-crispy-snack/