Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites made with pan-seared tender and juicy chicken bites coated with garlic, and butter, and flavored with herbs. This is one of the easiest chicken recipes that require fewer ingredients, is made within 30 minutes, and tastes awesome. Serve it as an appetizer or dinner. Perfect for busy weekdays. Gluten-free recipe.
This garlic butter chicken bite is an easy chicken dinner recipe that can be made quickly within 30 minutes. Everything is made in a single skillet, with fewer dishes to do.
It tastes so delicious that even your kids will approve of this family dinner. More chicken appetizers that you might love are our Chicken Nuggets and Popcorn Chicken.
Table of Contents
About this recipe
In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with step-by-step photos and a recipe video.
Chicken bites are pan-fried in butter & then tossed with chili-garlic & Italian seasoning. Add some lemon juice and garnish with cilantro and lemon slices.
You can serve these garlic butter chicken bites as a chicken starter or an appetizer. Or as a side dish with fried rice or noodles. Everyone is going to love this garlic chicken.
You may also like these other popular chicken recipes from this website
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken – I have used boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces. You can also use boneless chicken thighs.
- Butter – You can use either salted or unsalted butter. I have used unsalted butter.
- Flavoring – Black pepper and salt
- Garlic – I have used fresh garlic cloves. Increase the quantity for more flavors.
- Red pepper flakes – It gives a slight zing to the chicken bites. You can substitute it with red chili powder, or use chili garlic sauce, or sriracha.
- Smoked paprika – It is completely optional. You can skip adding it. But it surely gives a nice smokey flavor to the chicken.
- Italian seasoning – Substitute it with a mix of ¼ tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp oregano, and ¼ tsp dried basil.
- Lemon juice – Adds a tangy flavor to the chicken.
- Cilantro (coriander leaves) – Substitute with parsley.
For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.
Tips to make the Best Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
- While frying the chicken, make sure the pan is hot enough. It will seal the outer surface of the chicken, locking the juices of the chicken inside. This is the secret of getting chicken bites that are crispy outside & super moist inside.
- Also, make sure the chicken pieces are spread out in a single layer while frying them in the pan. If the chicken pieces are overcrowded in the pan then the chicken will start to release water. It will result in steam cooking the chicken rather than crisp frying.
- Do not fry the chicken on high heat. It may remain uncooked from the inside. First, let the chicken pieces fry on high for 2 minutes on each side. Then reduce the heat & cook until crisp.
- Also, do not over-fry the chicken pieces. It may dry out the chicken pieces. You can refer to the pictures or the video of garlic butter chicken bites.
- You can increase the quantity of garlic & black pepper.
- Skip adding red pepper flakes, if you prefer less spicy.
Step by step instructions with photos
Preparations
- Cut the boneless chicken breast into bite-size chunks.
- Season the chicken bites with salt & pepper. Set it aside. (pic. 1 & 2)
Making the garlic butter chicken bites
- Heat a heavy bottom pan & add 2 tsp of oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Spread the chicken pieces in a single layer. (pic. 3)
- Pan-fry the chicken pieces. Do not overcrowd the pan. I fried the chicken pieces in two batches.
- Flip it & fry until lightly golden. Remove & set it aside. Do not over-fry the chicken. (pic. 4)
- In the same pan, add 1 tsp butter & sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds. (pic. 5)
- Add the cooked chicken pieces, sprinkle smoked paprika & Italian seasoning over the chicken & stir to combine. (pic 8 & 9). Remove from the heat.
- Add lemon juice & cilantro. Stir to combine. (pic. 10 & 11)
- Easy garlic butter chicken bites are ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
- You can serve it as a starter or appetizer.
- Or serve it as a side dish with fried rice or noodles.
- Pair it up with mashed potatoes.
Storage Suggestions
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days. Make sure to store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat and serve.
- You can also freeze it. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and freeze. Stays good for a month.
Variations that you can try
- Add some blanched & stir-fried asparagus
- Cook it with some green beans or stir-fried vegetables
- Make it with potatoes
- Make these chicken bites with zucchini noodles or with butter noodles.
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Easy garlic butter chicken bites
Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites made with pan-seared tender and juicy chicken bites coated with coated with garlic, and butter, and flavored with herbs. This is one of the easiest chicken recipes that require fewer ingredients, is made within 30 minutes, and tastes awesome. Serve it as a chicken starter, or an appetizer, or dinner. Perfect for busy weekdays. Gluten-free recipe.
Servings 4 people
Calories 370kcal
Equipment
- Heavy bottom pan
Ingredients
- 400 grams chicken, cut into bite-size chunks
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes or red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 tbsp chopped cilantro (or parsley)
Instructions
Preparations:
- Cut the boneless chicken breast in bite-size chunks.
- Season the chicken bites with salt & pepper. Set it aside.
Making the garlic chicken
- Heat a heavy bottom pan & add 2 tsp of oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Spread the chicken pieces in a single layer on the pan.
- Pan-fry the chicken pieces. Do not overcrowd the pan. I fried the chicken pieces in two batches.
- Flip it & fry until lightly golden. Remove & set it aside. Keep it covered. Do not over-fry the chicken, as it may turn hard or rubbery.
- In the same pan, add 1 tbsp of butter & sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds
- Add the cooked chicken back to the pan, sprinkle smoked paprika (optional) & Italian seasoning over the chicken & stir to combine. Remove from heat.
- Add lemon juice & cilantro. Stir to combine.
- Garlic butter chicken bites are ready to serve. Garnish with some lemon slices and serve.
Video
Notes
- While frying the chicken, make sure the pan is hot enough. It will seal the outer surface of the chicken, locking the juices of the chicken inside. This is the secret of getting chicken bites that are crispy outside & super moist inside.
- Also, make sure the chicken pieces are spread out in a single layer while frying them in the pan. If the chicken pieces are overcrowded in the pan then the chicken will start to release water. It will result in steam cooking the chicken rather than crisp frying.
- Do not fry the chicken on high heat. It may remain uncooked from the inside. First, let the chicken pieces fry on high for 2 minutes on each side. Then reduce the heat & cook until crisp.
- Also, do not over-fry the chicken pieces. It may dry out the chicken pieces. You can refer to the pictures or the video of garlic butter chicken bites.
- You can increase the quantity of garlic & black pepper.
- Skip adding red pepper flakes, if you prefer less spicy.
Delicious… I will try it.
Thanks 🙂
Everything is so nicely described that really helped me. I am looking forward for more such yummy recipes in future too.
Thanks.