Get ready to meet your new favorite obsession: these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites are unbelievably easy to make, packed with flavor, and impossibly juicy. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day, or a simple protein to top a salad, this recipe delivers. Forget dry, boring chicken. We’re talking tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a savory seasoning blend and then tossed in a luscious garlic parmesan butter sauce. It’s a simple combination that tastes absolutely gourmet. Best of all, it comes together in under 30 minutes!
Why This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites Recipe is a Winner
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights and easy entertaining. Here’s why you’ll have this on repeat.
Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory seasonings and the rich, garlicky parmesan sauce creates a flavor explosion in every single bite.
Quick & Easy: With just 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. It’s perfect for when you’re short on time but not willing to compromise on taste.
Super Versatile: Serve these bites as a main course with pasta or roasted veggies, or set them out with toothpicks for one of the best holiday appetizers you’ll ever make.
Crispy & Juicy: We have perfected the method to ensure the chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining incredibly tender and juicy on the inside.
Tossing the hot chicken in the garlic parmesan sauce is the final, delicious step.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry and fridge already. This recipe focuses on simple, high-impact flavors.
For the Chicken Bites:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into 1-inch cubes. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings stick and gets the chicken nice and brown.
All-Purpose Flour: A light coating gives the chicken a fantastic crust. For a gluten-free option, you can use almond flour or a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
Seasonings: A simple yet powerful blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
Unsalted Butter: The rich base of our sauce.
Fresh Garlic: Minced finely for the best flavor. Don’t substitute with powder here!
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor. Avoid the pre-shredded kind if you can.
Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped for a burst of fresh, green flavor.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites (Step-by-Step)
Making these crispy chicken bites is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
First, pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step to ensure the chicken gets crispy. Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Season Generously
In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture over the chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
The perfect golden-brown crust on these chicken bites is irresistible.
Step 3: Cook to Golden Perfection
You have two fantastic options for cooking these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites. Both yield delicious results!
Baking Method (Easy & Hands-Off):
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange the seasoned chicken bites in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Air Fryer Method (Extra Crispy):
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place the chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to work in batches.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it! Remove from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the warm garlic parmesan sauce over the hot chicken bites and toss gently to coat every piece. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest, Juiciest Chicken Bites
Want to take your chicken bites to the next level? Follow these simple tips from our kitchen.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Whether you’re baking or air frying, give the chicken pieces space. This allows hot air to circulate, ensuring they get crispy instead of steaming.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly into the sauce. Grating your own makes a huge difference.
Toss While Hot: Pour the sauce over the chicken immediately after it comes out of the oven or air fryer. The heat helps the sauce cling to every nook and cranny.
Flavor Variations to Try Next
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Try one of these delicious variations!
Spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce for a kick of heat.
Hot Honey: Drizzle with a bit of hot honey after tossing in the sauce for a sweet and spicy twist, similar to these amazing hot honey wings.
Lemon Herb: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the sauce for a bright, zesty flavor.
What to Serve with Your Chicken Bites
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites are incredibly versatile. You can serve them as a main dish alongside roasted broccoli, mashed potatoes, or your favorite pasta. They are also fantastic on top of a Caesar salad for an easy lunch. For a party or game day, serve them with a side of marinara sauce or ranch for dipping. They would be a perfect addition to a snack spread featuring other favorites like cheesy garlic football bread or a classic buffalo chicken dip. This can even work as an easy main for one of your new favorite romantic dinner recipes.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For the best results when reheating, use an air fryer or oven set to 375°F (190°C). Heat for just 3-5 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped. We advise against using a microwave, as it can make the coating soggy.
For the best crispy texture, ensure you pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning. Also, avoid overcrowding the pan or air fryer basket. Giving the chicken pieces space allows hot air to circulate and crisp up all sides.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a great lean option and cook up quickly. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also fantastic as they have a bit more fat, which makes them extra juicy and flavorful.
These are best served fresh for optimal crispiness. However, you can season the raw chicken and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready, just cook as directed and toss with the freshly made sauce.
The best way to reheat leftover chicken bites and revive their crispiness is in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. You can also use a conventional oven. We do not recommend using a microwave, as it will make the coating soggy.
As written, this recipe contains a small amount of flour. To make it keto-friendly, simply omit the flour or replace it with a keto-friendly alternative like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for the coating.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this simple and flavorful recipe, we know you’ll enjoy exploring more of our kitchen creations. We hope you find your next favorite dish!
Did you make these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites? We would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and rating below. And don’t forget to share your creations and follow us on Pinterest for more delicious ideas!
You won't believe how easy these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites are to make!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites Recipe
FL Recipes
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites (The Only Recipe You Need)
The ultimate recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites! These bites are incredibly juicy, crispy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for a quick dinner or an easy appetizer, ready in under 30 minutes.
1.5lbsboneless, skinless chicken breastscut into 1-inch cubes
2tbspolive oil
2tbspall-purpose flouror gluten-free alternative
1tspsmoked paprika
1tspgarlic powder
1/2tsponion powder
1/2tspsalt
1/4tspblack pepper
4tbspunsalted butter
4clovesgarlicminced
1/2cupgrated Parmesan cheesefreshly grated
2tbspfresh parsleychopped
Equipment
1 Baking Sheet
1 Air Fryer Optional
2 Mixing Bowls
Method
Pat the chicken dry and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place chicken in the basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway, until crispy.
While chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
Transfer the hot, cooked chicken to a large bowl. Pour the warm garlic parmesan sauce over the top and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 35gFat: 24gFiber: 1g
Notes
Don't Crowd the Pan: Give the chicken pieces space to ensure they get crispy instead of steaming. Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties. Toss While Hot: Combine the chicken and sauce while both are warm for the best coating and flavor.
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 »
