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Air Fryer Chicken Bites with Easy Garlic Cream Sauce Over Mashed Potatoes

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Juicy, crispy air fryer chicken bites are served over fluffy mashed potatoes and topped with a silky garlic cream sauce. This comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner comes together in under an hour and is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch cubes.
  2. In a large bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
  3. Add olive oil and toss again to coat evenly.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
  6. While chicken cooks, place peeled, cubed potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, then simmer 15-18 minutes until fork-tender.
  7. Drain potatoes and return to pot. Add butter and milk or cream. Mash until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
  8. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  9. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
  10. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then cream. Stir constantly until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  11. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  12. To serve, spoon mashed potatoes onto plates, top with chicken bites, and drizzle with garlic cream sauce. Garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour in the sauce and potato starch on the chicken. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and coconut cream. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer for best crispiness. Warm milk before adding to potatoes for extra creaminess. Sauce thickens as it cools—add a splash of milk or broth to loosen if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken, chicken bites, garlic cream sauce, mashed potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, family recipe, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/air-fryer-chicken-bites-recipe-easy-garlic-cream-sauce-over-mashed-potatoes/