Air Fryer Chicken Pineapple Bites (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and sweet pineapple chunks air-fried to juicy, golden bites perfect for snacking.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken and 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 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Assembly

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until combined.
03 - Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat evenly, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours.
04 - While the chicken marinates, peel, core, and cut the fresh pineapple into 1-inch chunks, or drain canned pineapple chunks and pat dry.
05 - Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
06 - Thread one piece of marinated chicken and one pineapple chunk alternately onto each toothpick or mini skewer.
07 - Arrange the assembled bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding.
08 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
09 - Remove from the air fryer and serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in 27 minutes — only 15 minutes of prep and 12 minutes in the air fryer.
  • Gluten-free and dairy-free — simply use a certified gluten-free soy sauce and every guest is covered.
  • Crowd-pleasing flavor — savory, smoky chicken meets sweet caramelized pineapple in every single bite.
  • Easy clean-up — no greasy pans, no splattered stovetop; the air fryer does all the work.
  • Versatile — swap the pineapple for mango or bell pepper, or change the protein to turkey or tofu.
02 -
  • Marinate longer for deeper flavor: while 10–15 minutes works great, refrigerating the chicken in the marinade for up to 2 hours intensifies the savory-sweet taste significantly.
  • Avoid overcrowding the basket: work in batches and keep a single layer to ensure proper air circulation and even browning on all sides.
  • Turn halfway through cooking: flipping the bites at the midpoint gives you that gorgeous golden color on both the chicken and pineapple.
  • Use a meat thermometer: always verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food-safe, perfectly cooked chicken.
  • Garnish just before serving: sprinkle with chopped cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds at the last moment to keep them fresh and vibrant.
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