On busy weeknights when I want something quick yet homemade, these garlic butter chicken bites save me every time. They cook in one pan, take just 20 minutes, and always turn out juicy and garlicky. This is my go-to one-pan chicken recipe for a simple weeknight dinner with little prep or cleanup.
Featured Comment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm watching my carbs, and this worked perfectly over a salad. Simple and full of flavour! - margaretharris65
My go-to one-pan chicken recipe
I make these garlic-butter chicken bites often on busy evenings when I need a quick chicken dinner with minimal prep or cleanup. It's one of those easy chicken bites recipes I don't have to think about anymore. I know it works.
When I first made this recipe, the chicken turned hard and rubbery. I realised I was overcooking it and not tossing it properly in the garlic butter sauce. Coating the chicken lightly and finishing it in the sauce made a huge difference, and that's the method I follow every time now.
You can serve these garlic chicken bites as a snack, pair them with rice, or toss them with noodles to make garlic butter chicken pasta, or enjoy them with a simple bowl of Mediterranean roasted vegetables.
Why I love this recipe
- A winning combination: Tossing the pan-seared chicken in garlic butter sauce at the end helps each bite stay soft inside while picking up all the garlic flavor.
- Quick and easy to make: This one-pan dinner is ready in just 20 minutes with minimal prep, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers: These garlic chicken bites stay juicy even when reheated, so you can make them in advance and enjoy throughout the week.
- Family favorite: My kids love these chicken bites, and they stay delicious even when reheated. I also make my Cajun chicken bites and lemon garlic chicken the same way. They are quick, one-pan meals that never fail.
Quick Look: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Cook Method: Season chicken → lightly coat with cornflour → pan-sear in one pan until golden brown → make garlic butter sauce → toss chicken back in → simmer until coated.
- Calories: ~201 kcal per serving
- Spice Level: Medium (adjustable)
- Diet: Low-carb, gluten-free
- Flavor Profile: Buttery, garlicky, mildly spicy, and a little zesty.
- Difficulty: Easy, great for weekend meals
Jump to:
- My go-to one-pan chicken recipe
- Why I love this recipe
- Quick Look: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- How to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites (with Step-by-Step Photos)
- Tips to make the best garlic butter chicken bites
- Recipe FAQs
- How to serve garlic chicken bites
- Storage & Reheating
- Other Chicken Bites Dishes to Try!
- Recipe Card
Ingredients Needed
See the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact quantities and a printable version.
- Boneless skinless chicken: I have used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs work too (they stay juicier).
- Garlic: I used fresh garlic for the best flavors. Love garlic recipes? Try my garlic chili oil noodles next.
- Unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt. If using salted butter, reduce added salt.
- Italian Seasoning: You can use store-bought Italian seasoning, or substitute with ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon dried basil, and ¼ teaspoon thyme.
- Refined olive oil: Use any high-smoke-point oil like sunflower oil.
- Cornflour/cornstarch: A light coating helps seal the chicken quickly and keeps it juicy. You can also use all-purpose flour if needed.
- Coriander Leaves/Parsley: Both work well. Use what you have.
- Lemon Juice: I always add a squeeze of fresh lemon. It brightens the flavors and balances the buttery garlic sauce.
How to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites (with Step-by-Step Photos)
I've included step-by-step photos below so you can easily follow this one-pan recipe at home.
Step 1: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Add cornflour/cornstarch and toss to coat (images 1 & 2).
Step 2: Pan-sear the chicken until just cooked and golden. (images 3 & 4).
Step 3: In the same pan, make a garlic butter sauce with fresh garlic, butter, Italian seasoning, and a touch of spice. (images 5 & 6).
Step 4: Add a little water and cornstarch slurry to thicken. (images 7 & 8).
Step 5: Toss the chicken back in the garlic butter sauce (images 9 & 10). Taste and adjust the seasoning. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and chopped herbs. Serve with fried rice, noodles, or steamed veggies.
Tips to make the best garlic butter chicken bites
- Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken bites in batches if needed. A 12-inch pan works best, but a cast-iron pan also gives good results.
- Do not overcook the chicken. Sear the bites just until lightly golden and cooked through to keep them tender.
- A light cornflour coating helps. It seals the chicken quickly, keeping it juicy inside with a slight crisp on the outside when pan-seared.
- Toss the chicken in the garlic butter sauce at the end. This step coats each bite evenly and keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavour.
Recipe FAQs
Overcooking the chicken is the main reason. Sear just until light golden and finish cooking in the garlic butter sauce to keep it tender and juicy.
Yes, you can. Cook and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking for up to 2 days. Reheat (on low heat) on the stove with a splash of water to keep the chicken juicy.
How to serve garlic chicken bites
I serve these garlic butter chicken bites in different ways depending on the day. They work well as a quick weeknight dinner with rice or vegetables, as a snack, or tossed with noodles or pasta for a complete meal. They are also great over salads if you are keeping things light.
- Rice: Egg fried rice, jeera rice, or steamed rice. They soak up the buttery garlic sauce really well.
- Noodles: Plain noodles or egg hakka noodles work great.
- Potatoes: Mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes pair nicely with the rich garlic butter flavour.
- Vegetables: roasted vegetables or steamed like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus make a light side.
- Salads: A simple Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad, Asian slaw, or macaroni salad adds freshness to the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan on low heat for best results or in the microwave, covering lightly so the chicken stays juicy and doesn't dry out.
Recipe Card
Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Video
Equipment
- 1 Heavy bottom pan/skillet
Ingredients
- 300 g boneless skinless chicken breast/thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground balck pepper
- 1 teaspoon refined olive oil
- 1 teaspoon corn flour/cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon refined olive oil
- 1 teaspoon butter
To make garlic butter sauce
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes/red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Corn flour/cornstarch slurry - 1 teaspoon corn flour/cornstarch mixed in 2 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon coriander leaves
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry on all sides with paper towels for a better sear. In a bowl, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a little oil. Oil helps to keep the chicken moist while cooking. Next, add corn flour/cornstarch and toss to coat each piece evenly.300 g boneless skinless chicken breast/thighs,, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground balck pepper, 1 teaspoon refined olive oil, 1 teaspoon corn flour/cornstarch
- Heat oil and butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear until lightly golden, then flip. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Don't overcook. Transfer to a plate once done.2 teaspoon refined olive oil, 1 teaspoon butter
- In the same pan, heat oil and butter again on low heat. Sauté garlic until lightly golden, then add red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning, cook it for 1 minute.1 teaspoon oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes/red chili flakes, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Add a little water to deglaze, scraping up the browned bits. Keep the heat on medium. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until slightly thickened. Add a splash of water if the sauce looks too thick.Corn flour/cornstarch slurry - 1 teaspoon corn flour/cornstarch mixed in 2 tablespoon water
- Lower the heat and return the chicken to the pan. Toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce and cook 1 more minute. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Finish with lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped coriander leaves/parsley. Serve with fried rice, noodles, or even a side of steamed veggies.1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon coriander leaves
Notes
- Make sure your pan is hot enough before adding the chicken. This creates an immediate seal on the outer surface, locking in those delicious juices.
- Lay out the chicken pieces in a single layer. If the pan is too full, the chicken will release water and steam instead of crisping up.
- Keep an eye on your chicken. Don’t overcook, it can dry out the pieces. Don’t worry about getting a deep golden crust. Sear just until lightly golden.
- Corn flour/cornstarch coating helps to retain moisture and adds a little crispiness outside when pan-seared.
- Tossing them with the garlic butter sauce gives these chicken bites a crispy exterior while remaining juicy inside. Don’t skip this step.
- Add lemon juice at the end to brighten and balance the rich garlic butter flavors.
- Sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan or Feta cheese on top before serving if you love cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you love this easy chicken bites recipe, you might also enjoy some of my other one-pan chicken recipes. I often make it when I want something different, and my homemade popcorn chicken or chicken nuggets are always a hit with the kids.
mobasir hassan
Everything is so nicely described that really helped me. I am looking forward for more such yummy recipes in future too.
Preeti
Thanks.
@margaretharris65
I am watching my carbs and this was perfect! We fixed a salad with all of our favorite trimmings a d put the meat on top!! We used 1 tblsp of Balsamic vinegar! Fantastic recipe!!! Thank you!❤️
Preeti Nayak
Thanks 🙂