Air Fryer Chicken Pineapple Bites (Printable Version)

Tender chicken paired with sweet pineapple, air fried to golden bite-sized perfection in minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz)
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free preferred)
03 - 1 tablespoon honey
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Assembly

08 - 1 small fresh pineapple, peeled and cored (or 1 can pineapple chunks, drained)
09 - 24 toothpicks or small skewers

# Directions:

01 - Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
02 - Whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
03 - Add chicken cubes to marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, and let rest 10-15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours refrigerated.
04 - Cut fresh pineapple into 1-inch chunks or drain canned pineapple if using.
05 - Set air fryer to 390°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
06 - Thread one marinated chicken piece and one pineapple chunk onto each toothpick or skewer.
07 - Arrange bites in single layer in air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to prevent crowding. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - Transfer to serving platter while warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 30 minutes, leaving you time to actually set out napkins and look somewhat put-together.
  • The sweet-savory combo feels fancy but the air fryer does almost all the work, so you're basically cheating your way to impressing people.
  • Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you're covered for most dietary needs without having to scramble for substitutions.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinade time—even 10 minutes makes the chicken tender and the flavors sink in, but 30-60 minutes in the fridge transforms them into something restaurant-worthy.
  • Check that internal temperature hits 165°F; undercooked chicken isn't just risky, it's also dense and rubbery, so invest in a simple meat thermometer if you don't have one already.
03 -
  • If your toothpicks are wooden, soak them in water for 10 minutes before assembly so they don't char in the air fryer and ruin your presentation.
  • Pat your chicken dry before marinating—excess surface moisture steams instead of crisping, so a paper towel is your friend here.
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