Cubed chicken is a fantastic option for making quick and tasty dishes. You can use it in stir-fries, kebabs, casseroles, salads, and so much more. The best part is that cubed chicken cooks faster than whole chicken breasts and easily absorbs the flavors of any sauce or seasoning you choose to use.
(There are 20 awesome cubed chicken recipes listed at the end of the article.)
●To cube chicken
You’ll need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Rinse the chicken and dry it with paper towels. Remove any excess fat or connective tissue. Slice the chicken into thin strips, then cut across them to make small cubes. Try to make the cubes as evenly as possible so they cook evenly.
●To season cubed chicken
You can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or any other spices you like. Additionally, you can marinate the chicken in a mixture of oil, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, or any other ingredients that tickle your fancy. Marinating the chicken will make it more tender and flavorful. You have the option to marinate the chicken for as little as 15 minutes or leave it overnight in the refrigerator if desired.
●To cook cubed chicken
You can use different techniques depending on the recipe you’re using. Some of the most popular methods include:
√Skillet:
Heat up some oil in a big frying pan on medium-high heat. Toss in the diced chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for around 10 to 15 minutes until it turns golden and is fully cooked. You can also throw in some sauce, veggies, or herbs into the pan and let everything simmer until it’s all nicely combined and heated through.
√Oven:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the diced chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle some oil and sprinkle seasonings over the chicken. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly golden. You can also add cheese, breadcrumbs, or other toppings to the chicken before baking if you’d like.
√Air Fryer:
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Give the air fryer basket a quick spritz of cooking spray. Toss in the diced chicken and give it another light coating of cooking spray. Cook for around 12 to 15 minutes, giving the basket a shake halfway through, or until the chicken turns crispy and is fully cooked. For an extra crunch, you can also coat the chicken with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before popping it into the air fryer.
Ingredients:
1 pound (450 grams) of cubed chicken
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of vinegar
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups (300 grams) of broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 green onions, sliced
Steamed rice for serving
Coat the chicken:
In a big ziplock bag, put in the diced chicken, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Close the bag tightly and give it a good shake to make sure the chicken is evenly coated. Leave it aside for 10 minutes.
Make the sauce:
In a little bowl, mix the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Put it aside.
Cook the chicken:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for around 15 minutes until it turns golden and is fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep it warm.
Cook the vegetables:
In the same skillet, heat over medium-high and add the broccoli and bell pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender-crisp. Then pour in the sauce and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Serve the dish:
Put the chicken back in the skillet and mix it with the sauce. Sprinkle some green onions on top. Serve the chicken and vegetable stir fry over steamed rice. Enjoy!
How long it takes to make this dish:
It takes around 40 minutes in total to make this dish. This includes 10 minutes for preparation, 15 minutes for cooking the chicken, 10 minutes for cooking the vegetables, and 5 minutes for simmering the sauce.
The temperature and heat:
High heat
When you want to sear the chicken and give it a nice golden crust, crank up the heat. High heat not only cuts down on cooking time but also keeps the chicken juicy and tender. Make sure to heat the oil in the skillet until it’s sizzling hot, then toss in the chicken and cook for around 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns beautifully golden and is fully cooked.
Medium-high heat
When you want to cook the veggies quickly while keeping their color and crunch, use medium-high heat. Toss in the broccoli and bell pepper into the same skillet and stir occasionally for about 10 minutes until they’re crisp-tender. Adjust the heat as needed based on how fast they’re cooking and how much liquid is in the pan.
Low heat
When you want to simmer the sauce and thicken it slightly, use low heat. Add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes or until it thickens a bit. You can also cover the skillet with a lid to prevent too much evaporation of the sauce.
Here are some more cubed chicken recipes that you might like:
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken :
This recipe will give you crispy and juicy chicken nuggets without the need for deep frying. All you have to do is coat the cubed chicken in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and cook them in an air fryer. To make it even more delicious, serve them with a honey mustard dipping sauce. It’s perfect as a tasty snack or appetizer.
Honey Garlic Chicken:
This recipe creates a tasty and flavorful dish using diced chicken, honey, garlic, soy sauce, and lime juice. All you have to do is marinate the chicken, cook it in a skillet, and add the sauce. Pair it with rice or noodles for a scrumptious dinner.
Thai Cashew Chicken:
This recipe creates a deliciously spicy and nutty dish featuring diced chicken, cashews, veggies, and a flavorful Thai dressing. All you have to do is stir-fry the chicken and vegetables, then mix them with the dressing. Pair it with rice for a satisfying and tasty meal.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets:
This recipe is for making a homemade version of the popular chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A. All you have to do is coat the diced chicken in a mixture of flour and eggs, then fry them in oil. Serve them with a delicious honey mustard sauce for an enjoyable and effortless meal.
Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs:
This recipe creates a delicious and vibrant dish with chunks of chicken, pineapple, veggies, and a tasty teriyaki sauce. All you have to do is thread the chicken and other ingredients onto skewers and grill them until they get that perfect char. Serve it up with some coconut rice for an amazing Hawaiian-inspired meal.
Buffalo Chicken Nuggets:
This recipe creates a deliciously spicy and tangy dish using diced chicken, breadcrumbs, and buffalo sauce. All you have to do is coat the chicken in breadcrumbs, pop them in the oven, and then toss them with the sauce. Serve alongside ranch dip and celery sticks for a satisfyingly fiery snack.
Sweet Sticky Korean Chicken:
This recipe creates a deliciously crispy and sticky dish using diced chicken, cornstarch, and a flavorful Korean glaze. Simply coat the chicken in cornstarch, fry it in oil until golden brown, and then generously coat it with the mouthwatering glaze. Serve alongside rice and kimchi for an authentic Korean-style meal.
Easy One Pan Roasted Chicken & Potatoes:
This recipe is perfect for a delicious and easy meal. All you have to do is season the chicken and veggies, then pop them in the oven to roast. Serve with rice, pasta, or salad for a complete and satisfying dish.
Chicken and Strawberry Couscous Salad:
This recipe creates a delicious and fruity dish with diced chicken, strawberries, couscous, spinach, and a zesty lemon dressing. All you have to do is cook the chicken and couscous, then mix them with the other ingredients. Enjoy it chilled or at room temperature for a light and refreshing meal.
Rainbow Chicken Fried Rice:
This recipe creates a delicious and vibrant dish featuring diced chicken, rice, eggs, and assorted veggies. All you have to do is cook the chicken and eggs, then stir-fry them together with the rice and vegetables. Serve it up with some soy sauce and sprinkle on sesame seeds for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Indian Butter Chicken:
This recipe creates a creamy and indulgent dish with diced chicken, butter, cream, tomato, onion, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices. All you have to do is cook the chicken and onion before simmering them in the sauce. Pair it with naan bread or basmati rice for an authentic Indian-style meal.
I hope these recipes for cubed chicken can be helpful to you.