Air Fryer Turkey Chicken Bites (Printable)

Honey-soy glazed turkey or chicken bites air-fried to tender, crisp perfection with sesame and chives garnish.

# Components:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless turkey breast or chicken breast, cut into ¾-inch cubes

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
03 - 1½ tbsp honey
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

→ Garnish

08 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth.
02 - Toss turkey or chicken cubes in the marinade to coat evenly. Let rest for at least 10 minutes, or refrigerate up to 1 hour for enhanced flavor.
03 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
04 - Place the marinated meat cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary.
05 - Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until pieces are golden, caramelized, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Transfer bites to a serving platter, drizzle with any remaining marinade, then garnish with sesame seeds and chopped chives or green onions. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're genuinely crispy on the outside and impossibly tender inside—no dry poultry in sight.
  • You can prep these in fifteen minutes and have them hot and ready in under ten more, which means less stress when guests arrive.
  • The soy-honey glaze tastes like something you'd pay extra for at a restaurant, but it comes together with ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
  • Shaking the basket halfway through isn't just a suggestion—it's the difference between bites that are caramelized all over and ones with pale patches.
  • Don't skip the preheating step or extend the cooking time in hopes of extra browning, because the air fryer environment is precise, and going longer than ten minutes risks drying out the meat.
  • If you're marinating longer than an hour, the soy sauce can start to cure the meat in an odd way, so stick to the refrigerator and not much beyond that.
03 -
  • Pat the marinated bites dry with a paper towel right before air frying—it helps them crisp up faster and develop that gorgeous caramelized exterior.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, these work beautifully roasted in a 400°F oven on a lined baking sheet for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway through.
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