Description
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites are tender, juicy pieces of chicken breast seared to golden perfection and coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, then finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This quick and flavorful skillet recipe delivers bold, savory flavor with minimal ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Ready in under 30 minutes, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, salads, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to help them sear properly.
- Season the chicken evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add the chicken in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4–5 minutes without stirring until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic.
- Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant and coats the chicken evenly.
- Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Toss gently to combine.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding and ensure a proper golden sear.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides a richer flavor than pre-shredded varieties.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for extra juiciness.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat.
- Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or alongside steamed or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
