Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dish that feels like a little hug on a plate, you’re going to love this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe. These tender little chicken pieces soak up the richness of butter and garlic, delivering big flavor without any fuss. I remember the first time I made these—my kitchen smelled amazing, and dinner was on the table in under 20 minutes. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through how to nail these juicy bites every time!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: Using everyday pantry staples that you probably already have makes this recipe super accessible.
- Perfectly Juicy Chicken: The flour coating helps create a beautiful golden crust while locking in juices.
- Garlic Butter Flavor: Cooking the garlic in butter adds a rich, aromatic quality that transforms the dish.
- Quick to Make: Ready in under 20 minutes, this is ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe really lies in the balance of flavors and textures. Each ingredient pulls its weight, ensuring that when combined, you get tender, scrumptious bites with a garlicky, buttery finish. When shopping, aim for fresh garlic and good-quality butter – it makes a noticeable difference!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cutting into uniform bite-sized pieces helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
- All-Purpose Flour: Creates that crispy coating we all love and helps seal in moisture.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds a subtle herbal undertone without overpowering the garlic butter.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors to life.
- Olive Oil: Provides a nice base for searing the chicken before adding butter.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives richness and carries the garlic flavor beautifully.
- Fresh Garlic: The star of the show—minced to release its aroma and flavor in every bite.
- Fresh Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright contrast to the richness of butter and garlic.
Make It Your Way
I love to tweak this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe depending on the mood or season. Sometimes, I add a squeeze of fresh lemon right at the end for a bright kick, or throw in a hint of crushed red pepper if I want a little heat. You can make it your own and still get that addictive garlicky goodness!
- Variation: Adding a pinch of smoked paprika gives a smoky depth that I discovered on a whim and now can’t live without.
- Herb Boost: Doubling the parsley or adding fresh thyme herbs freshens the dish beautifully.
- Low-Carb Version: Skip the flour to keep it keto-friendly; just expect a slightly softer crust.
- Make It Spicy: Toss in a dash of cayenne pepper or chopped chili flakes for a fiery twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chicken Bites
First things first: cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces of about 1¼ inches. I like to pat the chicken dry with paper towels to make sure the flour sticks well—wet chicken means soggy coating, and nobody wants that. Toss the chicken in a bowl with the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. The goal is to get every piece nicely coated, so don’t be shy about tossing it a few times until the flour clings well and there’s none left on the bottom.
Step 2: Get That Pan Hot and Ready
I usually preheat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, which helps create a golden crust rather than steaming the chicken. Once hot, add olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. The butter should melt and coat the pan quickly—tilt the pan to spread it evenly. This combo of fats gives an unbeatable sear while infusing flavor.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Place the chicken bites evenly but remember not to overcrowd the pan—give each piece some elbow room to brown nicely. Let them cook for about 3 minutes undisturbed, so you get that beautiful golden crust. Then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. You’re aiming for chicken that’s almost cooked through but still juicy inside.
Step 4: Add the Garlic Butter Finale
The secret sauce moment! Toss in the remaining butter in small chunks along with the minced garlic and parsley. Stir everything gently for 1 more minute. This step lets the garlic soften and infuse the butter, creating that irresistible aroma and flavor. Be careful not to burn the garlic—stir constantly and watch the heat.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Immediately
Once your chicken is cooked through (check for an internal temperature of 165°F if you’re tech-savvy like me), it’s time to plate up and dig in. This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe is best served right away so you can enjoy the buttery sauce and tender chicken at their peak.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Patience for Browning: Resist the urge to stir the chicken too soon—let it develop a crust so it’s packed with flavor.
- Fresh Garlic Matters: Using fresh minced garlic instead of powder really lifts the whole dish.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking in batches if needed ensures every bite gets that perfect sear.
- Butter Timing: Adding butter near the end of cooking preserves its flavor and prevents it from burning.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I always top these chicken bites with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds a pop of color and freshens up the buttery richness. Sometimes I like to zest lemon over the top just before serving. It’s a little zing that wakes up the flavors and feels super fresh.
Side Dishes
For easy weeknight dinners, I serve these bites with lemon couscous—it’s so simple to make and the citrus compliments the garlic butter perfectly. Sautéed or steamed veggies like asparagus, zucchini, or broccoli are my go-to for a healthy, vibrant plate that balances all the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
When I want to impress guests, I serve the chicken bites in mini skewers with garlic butter drizzled over. It’s playful and perfect for cocktail parties or casual get-togethers. You can also serve them over creamy mashed potatoes or garlic pasta for a cozy comfort food vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover garlic butter chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The garlic butter sauce stays flavorful, and the chicken remains tender if reheated gently.
Freezing
If I make a big batch, I freeze leftovers on a baking sheet individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. That way, I can thaw only as many bites as I want. They freeze well and keep their flavor, making them a perfect meal prep option.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming the chicken bites gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth. This helps regenerate moisture and keeps the garlic butter from drying out. Microwaving works too—just cover loosely to retain steam.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great too. They’re even juicier and more forgiving to cook. Just cut them into the same size pieces so they cook evenly, and follow the recipe the same way.
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How do I prevent garlic from burning?
Garlic burns quickly, making it bitter. To avoid this, add the garlic toward the end of cooking and stir continuously over medium heat. Don’t let it sit directly on a hot pan for too long without stirring.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative like almond flour or a gluten-free baking mix. Just be aware the texture of the crust might be slightly different but still delicious.
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What’s the best side dish to serve with these chicken bites?
Lemon couscous is my all-time favorite side, but roasted vegetables or a simple green salad also pair beautifully. It depends on how light or hearty you want your meal to be.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe is one I turn to time and again because it’s fast, flavorful, and just downright comforting. It feels fancy enough for company but is effortless enough for weeknights. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—don’t be surprised if it quickly becomes a regular in your meal rotation. Grab your skillet, and let’s get cooking!
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 9 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are quick and flavorful skillet-cooked chicken pieces coated in a seasoned flour mix, pan-seared to golden perfection, and finished with a rich garlic butter and fresh parsley sauce. Perfect for a speedy dinner or a savory lunch, these bites are juicy, aromatic, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/4 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (about 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper)
Cooking and Flavoring
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic (4 cloves)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat skillet: Preheat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough for searing.
- Prepare chicken: Dab chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and help flour stick.
- Coat chicken: Sprinkle flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken. Toss until all pieces are fully coated with flour and seasoning.
- Add oil and butter to pan: Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter to the hot skillet, tilting the pan to coat the surface evenly as the butter melts.
- Sear chicken: Place chicken in an even layer with space between the pieces to brown. Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Flip and cook more: Flip the chicken pieces and cook for 2 more minutes until nearly cooked through.
- Add butter, garlic, and parsley: Add the remaining 2 Tbsp butter in small pieces along with minced garlic and parsley to the skillet. Cook for 1 additional minute, stirring frequently, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is no longer pink inside.
- Serve immediately: Remove from heat and serve the garlic butter chicken bites right away for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra herb flavor, double the amount of fresh parsley used.
- You can finish the dish by squeezing in the juice of half a lemon for added brightness.
- Nutrition estimates are based on a 3-serving portion and do not include added salt.
- Serve alongside lemon couscous: Boil 1 can chicken broth with 2 Tbsp lemon juice and 2 Tbsp water, add 1 cup couscous, remove from heat, cover for 5 minutes, then fluff.
- Pair with sautéed or steamed vegetables like squash, zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
