What the heck is this?
Let’s talk chicken—but not the boring, dry, cardboard kind. We’re talking golden, seared, garlic-butter-soaked chicken bites that are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and utterly addictive. These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the answer to your “I want something easy but insanely good” dinner dilemma. Tossed in a sizzling skillet with garlic, butter, and a touch of spice, they’re ready in under 20 minutes and go with just about everything. Rice, pasta, salad, a toothpick straight from the pan—this chicken doesn’t discriminate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pan, one protein, one glorious skillet of flavor
- Ready in 20 minutes flat
- Kid-friendly, meal-prep approved, date-night worthy
- Garlic + butter = culinary magic
- Goes with everything or nothing at all (just a fork is fine)
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1½ tsp paprika (smoked if you want extra oomph)
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for that fancy finish)
- Juice of ½ a lemon (optional but zingy)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Season it up
In a bowl, toss your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Make sure everything is well coated—don’t skimp on the seasoning; this is where the flavor starts.
Step 2: Sear to golden perfection
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches to avoid steaming). Let it sear undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, then flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
Step 3: Butter + garlic = yes
Lower the heat to medium, add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant—don’t let it burn!
Step 4: Toss and finish
Add the chicken back into the pan and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Squeeze in that lemon juice if using, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Serve them over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or even stuffed into lettuce wraps for a lighter twist. They’re also amazing next to roasted veggies or piled into a wrap with tzatziki and cucumbers.
Switch It Up
- Use Cajun or taco seasoning instead of paprika for a flavor twist
- Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the garlic butter for a quick pan sauce
- Swap parsley for basil or thyme
- Stir in some parmesan cheese right before serving for an extra savory punch
Make-Ahead Tips
These reheat beautifully! Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, toss in a skillet with a splash of broth or water until warmed through. They’re freezer-friendly too—just thaw and reheat in the pan to crisp back up.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I make this with frozen chicken?
A: Yes, but thaw it completely first and pat dry so you still get that good sear.
Q: Will this work with chicken thighs?
A: Absolutely! Thighs are juicier and more forgiving if you overcook them a little.
Q: Is it spicy?
A: Just a bit of a kick from the red pepper flakes, but you can skip them if spice isn’t your thing.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
A: You can use 1 tsp garlic powder in the spice mix and still get a good hit of garlic flavor.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: Juicy, Crispy, and Practically Begging to Be Eaten by the Handful
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Let’s talk chicken—but not the boring, dry, cardboard kind. We’re talking golden, seared, garlic-butter-soaked chicken bites that are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and utterly addictive. These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the answer to your “I want something easy but insanely good” dinner dilemma. Tossed in a sizzling skillet with garlic, butter, and a touch of spice, they’re ready in under 20 minutes and go with just about everything. Rice, pasta, salad, a toothpick straight from the pan—this chicken doesn’t discriminate.
Ingredients
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1½ tsp paprika (smoked if you want extra oomph)
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for that fancy finish)
Juice of ½ a lemon (optional but zingy)
Instructions
Step 1: Season it up
In a bowl, toss your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Make sure everything is well coated—don’t skimp on the seasoning; this is where the flavor starts.
Step 2: Sear to golden perfection
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches to avoid steaming). Let it sear undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, then flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
Step 3: Butter + garlic = yes
Lower the heat to medium, add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant—don’t let it burn!
Step 4: Toss and finish
Add the chicken back into the pan and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Squeeze in that lemon juice if using, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Notes
Use Cajun or taco seasoning instead of paprika for a flavor twist
Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the garlic butter for a quick pan sauce
Swap parsley for basil or thyme
Stir in some parmesan cheese right before serving for an extra savory punch
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 kcal per serving
- Fat: ~3g
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Protein: ~33g