Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

5 from 1 vote

Garlic butter chicken bites are juicy, tender, and tossed in a rich, buttery sauce—ready in 15 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.

Prep Time5

Cook Time8

Total Time13

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 597kcal

Author: Jennifer Fishkind

Ingredients

3¾ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 3 large (approximately 1 ¼ -1 ½ total pounds) cut into 1 inch bite size pieces
¾ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning blend
¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley optional garnish

Instructions

Place the boneless skinless chicken pieces onto a plate and pat them dry well with a paper towel.
3¾ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Combine together, in a small bowl, the dried Italian seasoning blend, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
¾ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning blend, ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sprinkle the spice blend over the patted dry chicken pieces and toss to evenly coat the chicken pieces with spice mixture.
To a large (12 inch) heavy duty skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add the seasoned chicken pieces to the hot skillet being sure the pieces are in a single layer.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sear the chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes, undisturbed, on the first side then flip the chicken pieces and continue to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until golden brown on all sides and no pink remains. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F.
To the skillet of seared and browned chicken pieces, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter along with the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute or until the butter has melted and the garlic is fragrant and tender. Turn off the heat to the skillet.
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Toss the garlic butter chicken bites until all the chicken is coated in the garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle with the optional minced fresh parsley if desired for garnish.
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Notes

Storage :

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Once fully cooled, you can freeze the chicken bites in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Be sure to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to keep the chicken tender and prevent it from drying out. Add a small splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the garlic butter sauce if needed.
Meal Prep Tip: Leftover chicken bites reheat well, making them a great option for weekly meal prep. Serve with your favorite sides for a quick lunch or dinner.

Tips :

Use both butter and olive oil when searing the chicken. The butter adds flavor, while the olive oil helps prevent burning at high temperatures, giving you that perfect golden sear.
Cut the chicken into even pieces and cook just until it reaches 165°F. Overcooking can dry it out quickly, so use a meat thermometer if you have one. If you're using chicken thighs instead of breasts, remember they need a few extra minutes to cook through.
Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes and pat it dry with a paper towel before cooking. This helps the chicken sear evenly and develop that perfect golden crust.
Love extra sauce? Double the butter and garlic. For a creamy twist, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a handful of grated parmesan cheese to make the sauce even richer.

Nutrition