Air Fryer Chicken Pineapple Bites (Printer View)

Tender chicken paired with sweet pineapple, air-fried to golden perfection for a quick, flavorful bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces)
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free variety recommended)
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 or 1 can pineapple chunks, drained
09 - 24 toothpicks or small skewers

# Method Steps:

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. Add chicken cubes, toss to coat evenly, and marinate for 10 to 15 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours.
03 - Peel, core, and cut fresh pineapple into 1-inch chunks, or drain canned pineapple thoroughly.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Thread one marinated chicken piece and one pineapple chunk onto each toothpick or mini skewer.
06 - Place bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding.
07 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until chicken reaches golden color and internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - Transfer to serving plate and garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together faster than you can order takeout, and everyone assumes you slaved over them.
  • The soy-honey glaze creates this addictive sweet-savory combination that keeps people reaching for just one more bite.
  • They're naturally gluten-free and dairy-free without tasting like you're missing anything.
  • Your air fryer finally gets to be the hero instead of the kitchen appliance you feel guilty about.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway turn; the side facing the heating element will brown faster, and flipping ensures both sides get that golden, slightly caramelized exterior.
  • Pineapple juice matters more than you'd think, so if you're using fresh, save a tiny bit of the natural juice; it can deepen the marinade if you're feeling experimental.
  • Crowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to end up with steamed chicken instead of air-fried chicken, so resist the urge to maximize your batch.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken first, then your pineapple, so the pineapple juice doesn't make your cutting board slippery and miserable.
  • If your toothpicks feel flimsy, soak them in water for fifteen minutes before assembling; it makes them less likely to char or crack.
  • The marinade is forgiving enough that you can prep these in the morning and air fry them right before serving, which is basically the dream for entertaining.
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