Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner option that comes together in just 15 minutes. Tender pieces of chicken breast are coated in a seasoned flour mixture, pan-seared to a golden brown, and finished with a luscious garlic butter sauce and fresh parsley for a delicious meal with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 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 Fats & Flavorings
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the skillet: Heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot, preparing it for searing the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a better sear.
- Coat the chicken: Sprinkle the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the chicken pieces. Toss thoroughly until all pieces are evenly coated with the flour mixture and no excess flour remains on the surface.
- Start cooking the chicken: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the heated skillet. Allow the butter to melt and coat the pan by tilting it gently.
- Sear the chicken: Place the coated chicken pieces in the skillet in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece to encourage browning instead of steaming. Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
- Flip and continue cooking: Turn the chicken pieces over and cook for an additional 2 minutes until they are almost fully cooked through.
- Add garlic butter and parsley: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in small pieces, along with the minced garlic and chopped parsley, to the skillet. Cook everything together for 1 more minute, stirring gently to coat the chicken and cook the garlic until fragrant. Ensure the 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 hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is essential for getting a nice golden crust.
- Keeping space between chicken pieces prevents steaming and promotes browning.
- Fresh garlic and parsley brighten the flavor; avoid overcooking the garlic to prevent bitterness.
- This recipe can easily be doubled for larger servings.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked at 165°F for food safety.
