Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are golden, juicy skillet chicken pieces coated in a rich garlic-butter sauce with a bright lemony finish. This quick 20-minute dinner is perfect for weeknights, meal prep bowls, wraps, salads, or serving over rice and mashed potatoes. Simple pantry spices, big flavor, and beginner-friendly steps make these chicken bites a go-to easy chicken dinner. Pinterest: Save this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites recipe for a fast, family-friendly skillet meal with crispy edges, buttery garlic glaze, and endless serving ideas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5–6 garlic cloves, minced (or grated)
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Pinch to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1–2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Pat chicken dry and cut into even 1-inch pieces.
- 2. Toss chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
- 4. Add chicken in a single layer. Sear 2–3 minutes undisturbed for browning.
- 5. Flip/stir and cook 4–6 minutes until browned and cooked through (165°F/74°C).
- 6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push chicken to the edges of the pan.
- 7. Add remaining 3 tbsp butter to the center; once melted, stir in garlic (and red pepper flakes).
- 8. Cook garlic 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant (do not brown).
- 9. Toss chicken in the garlic butter until glossy. Add lemon juice and parsley.
- 10. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over rice, potatoes, pasta, or veggies.
Notes
- Best browning: pat chicken very dry and avoid crowding the pan (cook in batches if needed).
- Add garlic only after lowering the heat to prevent bitterness.
- For more sauce, add 2–3 tbsp chicken broth after the garlic, then toss to coat.
- Meal prep: store up to 4 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water/broth.
- Swap ideas: thighs for extra juiciness; smoked paprika for deeper flavor; finish with parmesan.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites, garlic butter chicken, chicken bites, skillet chicken, easy chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, meal prep chicken