Description
These guilt-free popcorn chicken bites are crispy, flavorful, and air-fried to perfection—without the heavy grease! Packed with herbs and spices, they’re a healthy snack or protein-packed meal that satisfies cravings while staying WW-friendly.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into
1-inch pieces
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon dried sage
⅛ teaspoon ground thyme
3 tablespoons cornstarch Cooking spray (for air fryer basket and chicken)
Instructions
-
Mix the Spice Blend:
In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dry mustard, oregano, basil, sage, and thyme. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the mix. -
Season the Chicken:
Place the chicken pieces in a medium bowl and toss them with the remaining spice blend until evenly coated. -
Prepare the Cornstarch Coating:
In a large resealable bag, combine the cornstarch and the reserved 1 teaspoon of seasoning. Shake to mix well. -
Coat the Chicken:
Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the bag. Seal and shake thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken in the cornstarch mixture. -
Shake Off Excess:
Use a fine mesh strainer to shake off any excess cornstarch from the chicken. Let the coated chicken rest for 5–10 minutes to help the coating stick. -
Preheat Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. -
Layer and Spray:
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket, avoiding overlap. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. -
Air Fry to Perfection:
Cook for 4 minutes, then shake the basket and spray again. Continue cooking for another 4–5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden and crispy.
Notes
-
Letting the chicken rest before air frying helps the coating stay on and crisp up better.
-
Avoid overcrowding the basket for even cooking—work in batches if necessary.
-
For extra flavor, serve with a WW-friendly dipping sauce like mustard, yogurt ranch, or hot sauce.
-
Great for meal prep—store in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American