Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with these irresistible Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. This recipe delivers perfectly juicy, golden-brown morsels of chicken swimming in a rich and savory garlic butter sauce. It’s a simple, quick, and incredibly flavorful dish that your whole family will request again and again. If you’re looking for a meal that tastes like a restaurant-quality dish but comes together in just 20 minutes, you’ve found it.
We combine tender chicken breast pieces with a simple yet powerful combination of fresh garlic, rich butter, and herbs. The result is a versatile main course that’s perfect for busy evenings. Let’s dive into how you can make this amazing dish.
Why This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe is a Must-Try
You are going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. First, the flavor is simply out of this world. The combination of savory garlic and rich butter creates a sauce that perfectly coats each piece of chicken. Second, it’s incredibly fast. From start to finish, you can have these chicken bites on the table in about 20 minutes, making it a true lifesaver on busy nights. Finally, it’s wonderfully versatile and pairs well with almost any side dish you can imagine.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe is designed to be foolproof and delicious.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Bites
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star of the show. Cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
All-Purpose Flour: A light coating gives the chicken a beautiful golden crust and helps thicken the sauce slightly.
Seasonings: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and paprika is all you need to perfectly season the chicken.
Unsalted Butter: The rich, creamy base of our incredible sauce.
Olive Oil: Mixed with butter, it helps prevent the butter from browning too quickly.
Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is essential for that signature, robust flavor. Don’t substitute with powder!
Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a touch of fresh, peppery flavor to finish the dish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these juicy chicken bites is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Cut them into 1-inch cubes. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss the chicken cubes in the flour mixture until they are lightly coated.
Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the chicken cubes in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Cook Until Golden: Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated in the garlic butter sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Enjoy these tender bites of chicken perfection, glistening with that amazing sauce!
Serve these versatile chicken bites with your favorite sides for a complete and satisfying meal.
Pro Tips for the Juiciest, Most Flavorful Bites
Want to take your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites from great to absolutely unforgettable? Follow these expert tips.
Don’t Crowd the Pan
Giving the chicken pieces enough space in the skillet is crucial. Overcrowding the pan will cause the chicken to steam instead of sear, preventing that beautiful golden-brown crust from forming. Cook in two batches if your skillet isn’t large enough.
Use Fresh Garlic
For the best flavor, always use freshly minced garlic. The pre-minced jarred variety often has a muted, slightly acidic taste that can’t compare to the pungent, aromatic flavor of fresh cloves.
Control Your Heat
Start with medium-high heat to get a great sear on the chicken. However, be sure to lower the heat to medium when you make the sauce. This prevents the butter and especially the garlic from burning, which would create a bitter taste.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for other flavors. Here are a few variations to inspire you:
Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken
Add a kick of heat by stirring in 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic. It adds a wonderful warmth that complements the rich butter sauce.
Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken
Brighten up the dish by adding the zest and juice of half a lemon to the sauce at the very end. You can also add a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning with the other spices for a more herbaceous flavor.
Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken
For an extra indulgent twist, sprinkle 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken along with the parsley. Toss to coat for a cheesy, savory finish.
What to Serve with Your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are incredibly versatile. You can serve them over pasta, fluffy rice, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious sauce. They also pair wonderfully with roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. For a truly perfect meal, serve them alongside our favorite garlic butter breadsticks to mop up every last drop of the sauce.
The secret to perfectly juicy chicken is getting that beautiful golden-brown sear.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, they are easy to store and enjoy later. Place the cooled chicken bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep them moist. You can also microwave them in short bursts until heated through.
These chicken bites are incredibly versatile! They are fantastic served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. They also pair well with roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans, or a simple side salad.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute for chicken breasts. They are naturally juicier and may require an extra minute or two of cooking time per side. Just be sure to cut them into uniform 1-inch pieces.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to keep them from drying out. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the chicken rubbery.
While this recipe is optimized for a skillet to create the best sauce, you could adapt it. For an air fryer, cook the seasoned chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, then toss with the melted garlic butter sauce. For the oven, bake on a sheet pan at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes before tossing with the sauce.
There are three keys to juicy chicken: 1) Cut the chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking. 2) Don’t overcrowd the pan, which ensures the chicken sears rather than steams. 3) Do not overcook it. Remove the chicken from the heat as soon as it’s cooked through (165°F or 74°C).
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Explore
If you enjoyed these chicken bites, you’ll love some of our other popular chicken dishes. For another garlicky favorite, try our Creamy Garlic Chicken. Or, for a simple weeknight meal, this One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken is always a winner.
The Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
FL Recipes
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: The Ultimate 20-Minute Recipe
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the ultimate 20-minute meal! Learn how to make juicy, pan-seared chicken morsels tossed in an irresistible garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
1.5lbsBoneless, Skinless Chicken Breastscut into 1-inch cubes
2tbspAll-Purpose Flour
1tspPaprika
1tspSaltor to taste
1/2tspBlack Pepperfreshly ground
4tbspUnsalted Butterdivided
1tbspOlive Oil
4-6clovesGarlicfinely minced
2tbspFresh Parsleychopped
Equipment
1 Large Skillet
1 Mixing Bowl
Method
Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into 1-inch cubes. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss the chicken in the flour mixture until lightly coated.
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed.
Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
Return the chicken to the skillet, add the fresh parsley, and toss to combine until the chicken is fully coated in the garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalProtein: 40gFat: 22gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: For extra juicy chicken, avoid overcooking. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Tip 2: Ensure garlic does not burn, as it will become bitter. Cook only until fragrant. Tip 3: You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred.
We are confident that these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites will become a new favorite in your home. They are simple, quick, and bursting with flavor. If you make this recipe, we would love to see it! Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest. Your feedback helps us and inspires other home cooks!
You won't believe how easy it is to make these incredible Garlic Butter Chicken Bites!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
