If you’re craving a quick, ridiculously flavorful dinner, you have to try this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe. It’s one of those little kitchen gems that comes together fast but tastes like you spent hours fussing over it. Tender chicken pieces seared to a golden perfection, then bathed in garlic-infused butter — trust me, it’s a total game changer for weeknights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick & Easy: From start to finish, it’s just about 15 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
- Minimal Ingredients: Basic pantry staples come together to create something extraordinary.
- Bursting with Flavor: The garlic butter and Italian seasoning combo is unbeatable.
- Versatile: Enjoy it as a main dish, in wraps, or tossed with pasta or rice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a role in making these chicken bites juicy, golden, and packed with flavor. I always use fresh garlic because it makes a huge flavor difference, but don’t worry—nothing here is hard to find!
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cutting into uniform bites helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
- All-purpose flour: This gives the chicken a delicate crust and helps lock in moisture.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend that complements garlic perfectly.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential to bring everything together—don’t skimp here!
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity note and helps get that golden sear.
- Unsalted butter: A rich base for the garlic sauce; using unsalted lets you control the salt level.
- Minced fresh garlic: Four cloves give that bold garlicky punch everyone loves.
- Finely chopped fresh parsley: Brings freshness and a pop of color at the end.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe depending on what I have on hand or how fancy I want to get. Feel free to tweak it to your taste—you can’t really go wrong!
- Spicy Twist: I sometimes add a pinch of red pepper flakes just before serving to add a bit of heat that keeps everyone on their toes.
- Herb Swap: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, fresh thyme or rosemary work beautifully, and they add a lovely aroma.
- Low-Carb Option: Skip the flour and toss your chicken bites in a little grated Parmesan before cooking for an extra crust that’s keto-friendly.
- Mushroom Addition: Toss in sliced mushrooms after the chicken browns and let them soak up that garlicky butter magic.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into evenly sized bite-sized pieces—about 1 1/4 inches works perfectly. Patting the chicken dry with paper towels is crucial here; I discovered this trick when I realized it helps the flour stick better and the chicken browns beautifully instead of steaming. Next, toss the chicken in the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until every bit is coated—no stray flour left behind!
Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat up a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, then add olive oil and one tablespoon of butter. Once the butter’s melted and the pan is shimmering, layer in your chicken bites without crowding them—this ensures they brown instead of steam. Patience is key: let them cook undisturbed about 3 minutes on one side until they’re deeply golden, then flip and cook another 2 minutes. You’ll know it’s going well when your kitchen smells like something amazing is happening!
Step 3: Add Garlic, Butter, and Fresh Parsley
Now for the best part—reduce the heat just a bit, add the remaining butter in small chunks, then toss in the minced garlic and chopped parsley. Give everything a gentle stir and cook for just about a minute until the garlic is aromatic and the chicken reaches 165°F in the center. That garlicky butter coats every bite perfectly, and your kitchen will smell like pure heaven.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Pat the Chicken Dry: Moisture on the chicken stops that perfect crust from forming—dry chicken means golden, not soggy.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Giving the chicken space lets heat circulate and get a better sear, so cook in batches if needed.
- Butter Last: Add the garlic and butter near the end to let the flavors meld without burning the garlic.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Check for 165°F inside to avoid overcooking and drying the chicken out.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle fresh chopped parsley right before serving—it adds such a bright, herby finish. Occasionally, I’ll add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or even some grated Parmesan for a little extra sparkle.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe pairs beautifully with simple roasted veggies, garlic mashed potatoes, or even a quick side of buttered pasta. My go-to is steamed green beans or a fresh, crisp salad to balance out all that richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd, I’ve served these chicken bites skewered as appetizers with toothpicks and a sprinkle of parsley on top—always a hit. Another fun idea is to layer them over warm tortillas with avocado and salsa for quick tacos when you want a casual twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to cool leftover chicken bites quickly, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them chilled properly helps maintain their juiciness and flavor so you can enjoy them again tomorrow with ease.
Freezing
Freezing works great too! Just flash freeze the cooked chicken bites on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They keep for 2-3 months and thaw quickly in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
When reheating, I prefer warming these bites gently in a skillet over medium heat to refresh their crispy edges and keep that garlic butter sauce silky—microwaving can sometimes make them soggy, so I avoid it if possible.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs offer a bit more richness and stay juicy, which works beautifully here. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and adjust cooking times slightly—they may need a minute or two more depending on thickness.
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Is it okay to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and make sure your seasoning blends don’t have hidden dairy. The flavor will still shine—it’s incredibly adaptable.
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How do I avoid the garlic burning when cooking the chicken bites?
The key is to add the garlic towards the end of cooking, once the chicken is mostly done, and cook it just for about a minute. Garlic burns quickly and becomes bitter, so keep an eye on it and stir constantly when it’s in the pan.
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Can I double this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe?
Yes, but cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding lowers the temperature and causes the chicken to steam instead of sear, so patience pays off!
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe is genuinely one of my favorite quick meals to whip up when I need something tasty without the fuss. It’s simple, reliable, and every time I make it, my family goes crazy over those garlicky buttery flavors. Give it a try—you might just find yourself adding it to your weekly dinner rotation like I have!
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 9 min
- Cook Time: 6 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 3 servings (or 4 smaller servings)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a garlic-infused butter sauce, seasoned with Italian herbs, and sautéed to golden perfection. This simple recipe takes only 15 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal meal for busy evenings when you want something delicious 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 recommended
Cooking
- 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 to get it ready for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry on all sides using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season and coat the chicken: Sprinkle the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the chicken pieces. Toss well until each piece is evenly coated and no flour remains on the cutting board.
- Heat the fat: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot skillet. Allow the butter to melt quickly and tilt the pan to coat evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the skillet, leaving some space between them to ensure browning and prevent steaming. Let them cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until they are nearly cooked through.
- Add garlic and parsley: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in small pieces along with minced garlic and chopped parsley. Cook for 1 more minute, stirring gently, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the garlic is fragrant but not burned.
- Serve immediately: Remove from heat and serve the warm, flavorful chicken bites right away for best taste and texture.
Notes
- This recipe is incredibly quick and simple, taking only 15 minutes with minimal prep.
- Using fresh garlic and parsley adds vibrant flavor and freshness.
- Coating the chicken in seasoned flour helps create a nice crust and locks in moisture.
- Cooking in a single layer ensures even browning and prevents steaming.
- Serve these bites as a main dish alongside your favorite sides or over pasta or rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 394 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 422 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 151 mg
