Description
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are tender, juicy pieces of chicken pan-seared to golden perfection, then bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce—ready in just 15–25 minutes, they’re perfect for a quick weeknight meal or tasty appetizer.
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Flour (all‑purpose) or cornstarch (for a crispier finish)
Salt & black pepper
Garlic powder (optional; enhances flavor)
Olive oil
Butter
Fresh garlic cloves, minced
Optional: Italian seasoning, lemon‑pepper seasoning, fresh parsley, lemon juice
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Cut chicken into 1–1½‑in pieces. Pat dry, then season and coat with flour or cornstarch, plus salt, pepper, and optional garlic or Italian seasoning.
- Sear the chicken: Heat oil and a tablespoon of butter over medium‑high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken in a single layer; cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165 °F).
- Make the garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium‑low. Remove chicken to a plate. In pan, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant—stir in browned bits. For variation, deglaze with wine or stock and finish with lemon juice.
- Combine and serve: Return chicken to pan, toss in sauce until well-coated. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, squeeze lemon if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken thighs offer richer flavor and stay juicy—cook ~1 min longer per side.
- Crispy coating: swap flour for cornstarch for extra crunch.
- Lemon‑butter twist: add lemon‑pepper seasoning or fresh lemon juice to brighten the dish.
- Wine or stock deglaze: splash in white wine or chicken stock after searing to deepen sauce flavor.
- Extra heat: sprinkle in red pepper flakes when cooking garlic.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Can be frozen for ~3 months; texture will soften a bit. Reheat gently to avoid drying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–15 minutes (varies with recipe version)
- Category: Main Dish or Appetizer
- Method: Pan-sear, Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: approx. 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
