Are you craving a meal that’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor? Look no further than Garlic Butter Chicken Bites! This recipe is a flavor-packed, savory dish that combines tender chicken with the irresistible richness of garlic butter. With just a few ingredients, you can create a mouthwatering meal that’s sure to impress your taste buds and your guests! Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or hosting a casual gathering, these chicken bites are guaranteed to be a hit.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about making the perfect garlic butter chicken bites, from ingredients to step-by-step directions, serving suggestions, and more!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make this dish a hit, yet each one plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
These ingredients are simple and wholesome, allowing the flavors of garlic, butter, and chicken to truly shine. Perfect for a quick meal any day of the week!
Step-by-Step Directions to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
1. Cook the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken bites and season with salt and pepper. Let the chicken cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal is to achieve a nice, golden-brown color on each piece while ensuring the chicken is cooked through.
Tip: For extra crispy chicken bites, make sure you don’t overcrowd the skillet. If needed, cook in batches.
Once the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. This ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy when tossed in the garlic butter sauce.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and begins to bubble slightly, add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried parsley. Stir the mixture constantly for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden.
Be careful not to burn the garlic—keep stirring to prevent it from getting too dark, as burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the sauce.
3. Toss the Chicken in the Garlic Butter
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss the chicken thoroughly to ensure each piece is coated with the savory, buttery mixture. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and ensure the chicken is heated through.
The result? A flavorful, buttery coating on every bite of chicken!
4. Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is well-coated and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Transfer the garlic butter chicken bites to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while the dish is hot, and enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth flavor that’s bound to have everyone asking for seconds.
Nutritional Information for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Curious about the nutritional value of this delectable dish? Here’s a breakdown of the calories and servings:
- Calories: 280 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4 servings
With just 280 kcal per serving, these garlic butter chicken bites are a relatively light yet satisfying meal. The chicken provides a great source of protein, while the garlic and butter deliver rich flavor without being too heavy.
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Quick and Easy
One of the best things about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to make. You can have a flavorful meal ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for speed.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors
The combination of butter, garlic, and herbs creates a flavor profile that is savory, rich, and absolutely delicious. The chicken remains juicy and tender while being enveloped in a garlicky, buttery sauce that will leave you craving more.
Customizable
This recipe is versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences. For example, you can make it spicier by adding red pepper flakes or kick up the flavor with a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also swap the herbs based on what you have on hand, such as using fresh parsley or rosemary instead of the dried thyme and parsley.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Wondering what to pair with your garlic butter chicken bites? There are plenty of delicious options to serve alongside this dish to complete your meal. Here are a few ideas:
1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy garlic mashed potatoes are a natural pairing with these chicken bites. The smooth texture and buttery flavor complement the richness of the garlic butter chicken, making for a comforting and satisfying meal.
2. Roasted Vegetables
For a lighter option, serve your chicken with a side of roasted vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers. The slightly crispy edges of the roasted veggies will add a nice contrast to the tender chicken.
3. Rice or Quinoa
Fluffy rice or quinoa will soak up the savory garlic butter sauce, providing the perfect base for your chicken. Plus, both are easy to make and make great side dishes to complement this flavorful main course.
4. Caesar Salad
If you’re in the mood for something fresh, try a classic Caesar salad on the side. The crisp romaine lettuce and tangy dressing will balance the richness of the chicken.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
- Use fresh garlic: While you can use garlic powder in a pinch, fresh minced garlic brings a deeper, more vibrant flavor to the dish.
- Adjust the seasoning: Taste the garlic butter sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. You can also add a bit of lemon juice for acidity and freshness.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Be sure to cook the chicken just until golden brown and cooked through. Overcooked chicken can become dry, which you definitely want to avoid in this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! While the recipe calls for chicken breasts, you can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Thighs are slightly more tender and juicy, making them a great alternative.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep the chicken and garlic butter sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge, and then cook and combine them when you’re ready to serve.
Can I add vegetables to the garlic butter sauce?
Absolutely! Feel free to toss in some sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for added flavor and texture.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with dairy-free butter or olive oil. You can also use a plant-based alternative to garnish with parsley.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a flavor-packed meal that’s sure to satisfy your cravings for something savory, buttery, and delicious. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a dish that’s perfect for any occasion whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a family gathering, or even meal prep for the week ahead. Give it a try today, and enjoy the rich, mouthwatering flavor in every bite!
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out some more of our delicious dishes:
- Cheese Stuffed Bacon Burger Bites – Perfect Party Appetizer
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- Creamy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Alfredo Bites
Try these out, and let us know which one becomes your new favorite!
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites – A Flavor Explosion in Every Bite!
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a quick, easy, and irresistibly flavorful dish that’ll have everyone coming back for more. Tender chicken pieces are sautéed in a savory garlic butter sauce, making every bite a flavor-packed experience. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a party appetizer!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken bites and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. - Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, thyme, and parsley. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden. - Toss the Chicken in the Garlic Butter:
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the garlic butter sauce until each piece is coated with the delicious sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure the chicken is well coated and heated through. - Serve:
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites hot. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth flavor!
Notes
- For a spicier twist, you can add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce.
- If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs for a juicier, more tender option.
- Pair these bites with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Garlic butter chicken, chicken bites, garlic butter recipe, easy chicken recipe, garlic chicken bites, savory chicken bites