15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Sizzling 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Garlic butter chicken bites craft ordinary protein into a mouthwatering culinary experience that sparks instant dinner excitement.

Home cooks seek fast, flavorful meals that satisfy hunger without consuming hours in the kitchen.

These delectable morsels promise maximum taste with minimal effort and ingredients you likely already possess.

Crispy exterior and tender interior create a textural symphony that delights even picky eaters.

Quick cooking techniques ensure each bite remains juicy and packed with robust, aromatic seasonings.

Minimal prep work means you can go from raw ingredients to golden, garlicky perfection in less time than ordering takeout.

Weeknight meal solutions rarely come this delicious and straightforward.

Why 15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Are Great for Busy Nights

  • Rapid Weeknight Wonder: Whip up a delicious, restaurant-quality meal in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy families or solo cooks craving a quick, satisfying dinner.
  • Flavor-Packed Protein Punch: Enjoy tender chicken bites bursting with aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, and garlic, creating a mouthwatering blend of savory seasonings that dance on your taste buds.
  • One-Pan Kitchen Magic: Simplify your cooking process with this easy skillet method that minimizes cleanup, allowing you to sear, season, and serve a gourmet-style dish using minimal cookware and maximum convenience.
  • Versatile Meal Masterpiece: Customize this recipe by serving over rice, tucking into wraps, or tossing with pasta, making it an adaptable protein option for multiple meal styles and preferences.

What You’ll Need for These Quick Chicken Bites

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that becomes juicy and flavorful when seasoned and seared; choose fresh, high-quality chicken for best results.
Seasoning Blend:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Oregano, Basil, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Flour creates a light crispy coating, while herbs and spices add depth and complexity to the chicken's flavor profile.
Cooking Fats and Aromatics:
  • Olive Oil, Butter, Garlic: Olive oil helps with even browning, butter adds richness and depth, garlic provides a warm, intense flavor that complements the chicken.
Herb Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish and provides a pop of color; choose vibrant green leaves with no wilting.

Simple Steps to Cook Chicken in Garlic Butter

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Grab chicken breasts and gently pat them dry using paper towels. Slice the chicken into bite-sized cubes, roughly 1-inch pieces.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Coating

In a mixing bowl, combine:
  • Flour
  • Dried oregano
  • Dried basil
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Toss chicken pieces in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Surface

Place a large cast iron skillet on the stovetop. Turn heat to medium-high. Pour olive oil and add a tablespoon of butter. Wait until the oil shimmers and butter melts completely.

Step 4: Sear Chicken Pieces

Carefully arrange chicken pieces in a single layer across the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for approximately 3 minutes until golden brown.

Step 5: Flip and Continue Cooking

Turn chicken pieces to the other side. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing each side to develop a beautiful crispy exterior.

Step 6: Add Aromatic Finishing Touches

Drop remaining butter into the skillet. Sprinkle freshly minced garlic and chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for one more minute until chicken is fully cooked through.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Transfer chicken bites to a serving plate. Enjoy these delicious, tender morsels while they’re hot and fragrant.

Tips for Flavorful, Tender Chicken in Minutes

  • Ensure Dry Chicken: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before coating to achieve a crispy, golden exterior and prevent soggy results.
  • Even Coating Technique: Gently toss chicken in seasoned flour using a light hand to create a uniform, delicate coating that locks in moisture.
  • Hot Pan Perfection: Preheat skillet to medium-high heat for that perfect sear, creating a delicious golden-brown crust on the chicken bites.
  • Single Layer Cooking: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without crowding to guarantee even browning and prevent steaming.
  • Fresh Herb Boost: Chop parsley just before adding to maximize its vibrant flavor and aromatic qualities in the final dish.

How to Store and Reheat These Chicken Bites

  • Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken bites to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat in Skillet: Warm chicken bites over medium-low heat with a splash of olive oil, stirring gently to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
  • Microwave Option: Place chicken pieces on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through, checking temperature to avoid overcooking.

What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken

  • Savor with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the garlic butter chicken bites, cutting through the richness with its bright, zesty notes.
  • Pair with Herbed Roasted Potatoes: Roasted baby potatoes seasoned with rosemary and thyme create a delightful side that echoes the herb-infused chicken and absorbs the delicious garlic butter sauce.
  • Match with Fresh Green Salad: A light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery chicken, balancing the meal with crisp, tangy flavors.
  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Warm, crusty bread is ideal for soaking up the extra garlic butter, turning this dish into a complete and satisfying meal that lets you enjoy every last drop of flavor.

Variations to Switch Up the Seasoning

  • Spicy Southwest Chicken Bites: Replace oregano and basil with chili powder, cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a zesty southwestern kick.
  • Mediterranean Herb Chicken Nuggets: Swap herbs with fresh rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest, then finish with crumbled feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
  • Asian Sesame Chicken Pieces: Substitute herbs with ginger and five-spice powder, then drizzle with sesame oil and garnish with chopped green onions after cooking for an Asian-inspired flavor profile.
  • Lemon Herb Chicken Cubes: Add lemon juice and lemon zest to the flour mixture, then sprinkle fresh dill over the finished chicken for a bright, citrusy variation.
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15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

15-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent 15-minute garlic butter chicken bites deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Quick skillet magic blends golden chicken pieces with rich, herby garlic butter for a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 20 ounces (567 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Spices:

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Meticulously blot chicken breasts with clean paper towel, then slice into uniform bite-sized cubes approximately 1-inch in dimension.
  2. Create a flavor-packed coating by combining flour and aromatic herbs in a mixing vessel. Gently tumble chicken pieces through the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each morsel is comprehensively enrobed.
  3. Preheat a robust cast iron skillet over medium-high temperature, introducing olive oil and a portion of butter. Allow fat to meld and shimmer with anticipation.
  4. Carefully arrange chicken pieces in a pristine single layer across the skillet’s surface, permitting each cube to develop a golden, crisp exterior without disturbance.
  5. After roughly 3 minutes, delicately rotate each piece to expose an alternate side, continuing culinary transformation for an additional 2 minutes.
  6. Introduce remaining butter, fragrant minced garlic, and verdant parsley into the skillet. Tenderly incorporate ingredients, allowing flavors to harmonize and chicken to reach perfect doneness.
  7. Immediately transfer sizzling chicken bites to serving platter, presenting a tantalizing dish bursting with herbaceous complexity and buttery richness.

Notes

  • Quick chicken dish bursting with garlic and herb flavors, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
  • Coating chicken in seasoned flour creates a deliciously crispy exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
  • Cast iron skillet ensures even browning and adds rich caramelized notes to each chicken bite.
  • Total cooking time is just 15 minutes, making this an incredibly fast and satisfying meal solution.
  • Minimal ingredients and simple technique guarantee restaurant-quality results at home with zero complicated steps.
  • Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish that elevates the rich garlic butter sauce.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 395
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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