15 Minutes Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal, look no further than these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe comes together in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or main course, these garlic butter chicken bites are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe arsenal.

Introduction

Who doesn’t love tender, juicy chicken tossed in a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce? These 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites offer just that! Made in record time and packed with flavor, this recipe is ideal for anyone who loves a meal that’s both quick and indulgent. The garlic butter sauce adds an irresistible savory richness to the tender chicken, making it a dish you’ll want to make over and over again.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated cooking techniques. With just 15 minutes, you can have a gourmet-style chicken dish on the table, perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to last-minute guests.

Equipment Needed

• Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Large Skillet or Pan: A heavy-duty skillet works best for quickly cooking the chicken and making the garlic butter sauce. A nonstick skillet is ideal to prevent the butter from sticking.
• Tongs or Spatula: To flip and toss the chicken while cooking.
• Serving Plate: For plating and serving the chicken bites once they’re cooked.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

1. Cut the Chicken:
   • Start by trimming any fat or skin from the chicken breast (or thighs) and cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces about 1 to 1.5 inches in size for even cooking.
2. Season the Chicken:
   • Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. You can also add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes at this point if you want a bit of spice. Toss the chicken pieces to ensure they’re evenly coated in the seasonings.

Step 2: Cooking the Chicken Bites

1. Heat the Skillet:
   • Heat your skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up for a minute or so.
2. Cook the Chicken:
   • Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
   • Cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. You want the chicken to develop a nice sear on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside.
   • Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. You can cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm.

Step 3: Preparing the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. Melt the Butter:
   • In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add 1/4 cup of unsalted butter to the pan. Allow it to melt, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure the butter doesn’t burn.
2. Cook the Garlic:
   • Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.

Step 4: Tossing the Chicken in Garlic Butter

1. Return the Chicken to the Skillet:
   • Once the garlic is perfectly aromatic, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss the chicken in the garlic butter sauce, ensuring every piece is coated with the rich, buttery goodness.
2. Final Seasoning:
   • Taste the chicken and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add a bit more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning at this point, depending on your taste preferences.

Step 5: Garnishing and Serving

1. Garnish with Fresh Parsley:
   • Sprinkle the chicken with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
2. Serve:
   • Serve your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites hot! You can enjoy them as a stand-alone dish or serve them alongside your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Use Room Temperature Chicken: Allow the chicken to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before cooking. This ensures even cooking and prevents the chicken from becoming tough.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For the best sear, make sure the chicken pieces are not crowded in the skillet. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
• Adjust the Garlic: If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add more minced garlic to the butter sauce. However, remember that garlic can become bitter if overcooked, so sauté it just until fragrant.
• Add Fresh Lemon Juice: For a bright, tangy contrast to the rich garlic butter, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the chicken just before serving.
• Add a Touch of Parmesan: For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken bites right before serving. The cheese will melt beautifully into the sauce.
• Customize the Spice: If you like it spicy, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes, or add a small diced chili pepper to the garlic butter sauce.

Creative Variations

1. Garlic Butter Chicken with Veggies:
   • Add some vegetables to the skillet, such as broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini. Simply sauté the veggies in the garlic butter sauce along with the chicken for an all-in-one dish.
2. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
   • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some lemon zest to the garlic butter sauce for a citrusy twist.
3. Garlic Butter Chicken with Mushrooms:
   • Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet after the chicken is cooked. Let the mushrooms absorb the garlic butter sauce for a rich and earthy flavor.
4. Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
   • If you love spice, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños to the garlic butter sauce.

Serving Suggestions

These 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are versatile and pair well with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions for serving them:

• With Roasted Vegetables: Serve the chicken bites alongside roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus for a healthy and hearty meal.
• With Pasta: Toss the chicken bites with your favorite pasta and a little extra garlic butter sauce for a satisfying meal.
• With Rice or Quinoa: Serve the chicken over a bed of rice or quinoa to soak up all the delicious garlic butter sauce.
• With a Salad: Pair the chicken bites with a light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.
• Flavorful: The garlic butter sauce infuses the chicken with deep, savory flavors, making each bite irresistible.
• Customizable: You can easily adjust the seasonings, add vegetables, or make the dish spicier to suit your preferences.
• Versatile: Serve these garlic butter chicken bites as an appetizer, main dish, or alongside your favorite sides. They’re perfect for any occasion.

Conclusion

These 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the ultimate weeknight meal. They’re quick to prepare, bursting with flavor, and can be customized to your tastes. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, main course, or as part of a larger meal, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your cooking repertoire.

Yield: 3

15 Minutes Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Print

If you're looking for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal, look no further than these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe comes together in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or main course, these garlic butter chicken bites are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe arsenal.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized cubes)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or fresh, chopped)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken:
   Cut the chicken breasts (or thighs) into bite-sized cubes. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika.
   
2. Cook the Chicken:
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
   Add the chicken cubes to the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they’re golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
   
3. Make the Garlic Butter:
   While the chicken is cooking, in a small pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
   Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant (don’t let the garlic burn).
   
4. Combine and Coat:
   Once the chicken is fully cooked, lower the heat to medium-low and add the garlic butter mixture to the skillet with the chicken.
   Stir to coat the chicken in the garlic butter. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and stir until it melts and the chicken is fully coated.
   
5. Add Finishing Touches:
   Sprinkle the dried parsley over the chicken and stir to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
   
6. Serve:
   Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley (optional), and serve hot. These garlic butter chicken bites are great over rice, pasta, or alongside roasted vegetables.

Notes

For extra flavor: Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.

You can use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful bite, or chicken breasts for a leaner option.