Air Fryer Marry Me Chicken Bites

Ingredients

• 500 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breast), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil, salt and black pepper
• Fresh basil or parsley, to finish (optional)

Steps

1. Pat the chicken pieces dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Toss with the olive oil so the pieces crisp in the air fryer instead of steaming.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes.
4. Air fry the chicken in a single layer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until golden and cooked through (74°C at the centre of the largest piece).
5. While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat and cook the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, cream, parmesan, chilli flakes and oregano, and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
7. Tip the air-fried chicken straight into the sauce and toss to coat - this is what keeps the crisp edges from going soft and soggy.
8. Finish with torn basil or parsley and serve immediately.

Tip: Searing the chicken in the air fryer first and tossing it through the sauce at the very end - instead of simmering raw chicken in the sauce from the start - is what keeps the pieces crisp-edged instead of boiled and rubbery.

🖨 Print Recipe

Nutrition (per serving)

Estimated from standard ingredient data — actual values vary by brand and exact quantities used.

Serving & Storage