Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are tender, golden chicken pieces cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh parsley, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
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 Fat and Flavorings
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic (4 cloves)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Skillet: Preheat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat to ensure even cooking and a nice sear on the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels on all sides to help with browning. In a bowl, sprinkle the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken. Toss thoroughly until every piece is coated and no flour remains loose.
- Heat Fat: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot skillet. Allow the butter to melt quickly, then tilt the pan to coat the bottom evenly with the fat.
- Cook Chicken First Side: Place the chicken pieces in a single even layer in the skillet, leaving space between them so they can brown properly instead of steaming. Let them cook undisturbed until the bottoms are golden brown, about 3 minutes.
- Flip and Cook Second Side: Flip the chicken pieces and cook on the other side for 2 additional minutes until they are nearly cooked through.
- Add Garlic, Butter, and Parsley: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in small pieces, minced garlic, and chopped parsley to the skillet. Stir gently and cook for 1 more minute until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is no longer pink inside.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the garlic butter chicken bites immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For an extra herbaceous flavor, double the amount of fresh parsley used.
- Finishing the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness that complements the garlic butter.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with lemon couscous or sautéed steamed vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, or squash for a complete meal.
- Ensure chicken pieces are all roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
