Okay, folks, let’s talk chicken. But not just ANY chicken—we’re talking about juicy, flavorful GARLIC BUTTER chicken bites that will make your tastebuds do a HAPPY dance.
My husband LOVES this, and when he makes this recipe he can EAT a HUGE plate! They are SO simple to make. With just a handful of ingredients and about 20 MINUTES to prep, this will be your new favorite recipe.
I absolutely love quick and flavorful meals, and if you’re like me, you’ll adore this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta—creamy, cheesy, and packed with all the comfort
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Why This Recipe Works
You know I wouldn’t steer you wrong! These garlic butter chicken bites aren’t just GOOD; they’re FANTASTIC! They are:
FAST: From fridge to table in less than 30 minutes? YES, PLEASE!
EASY: Seriously, anyone can make these, from beginners to top chefs! (even my husband could and he barely cooks)
FLAVOR PACKED: Garlic + Butter + Chicken? Come ON, that’s a match made in food HEAVEN!
VERSATILE: Serve these over rice, pasta, salad, or straight from the pan, YOUR way!
KID FRIENDLY: Kids seem to gravitate towards finger foods like these!
FAST: From fridge to table in less than 30 minutes? YES, PLEASE!
EASY: Seriously, anyone can make these, from beginners to top chefs! (even my husband could and he barely cooks)
FLAVOR PACKED: Garlic + Butter + Chicken? Come ON, that’s a match made in food HEAVEN!
VERSATILE: Serve these over rice, pasta, salad, or straight from the pan, YOUR way!
KID FRIENDLY: Kids seem to gravitate towards finger foods like these!
GREAT for leftovers: Reheat in a pan or enjoy in a sandwich the next da
You ready to get started? I SURE AM! Let’s do this!
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Ingredients You Will Need (and you may already have them!)
Okay, before we get started, let’s make sure you have ALL the stuff ready:
- 1.5 pounds of boneless and skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you’re a garlic FANATIC, like me)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (for that hint of sweet smokiness, NICE)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for a little something extra!)
I really recommend going fresh for those parsley. There’s really no comparison, honestly. I ALWAYS tell people in our house (which, of course, does not listen LOL), “Fresh ingredients always give a better taste”. But whatever is EASIER and you like BETTER goes, I’M not here to tell you what to do! haha
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How To Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ready to MAKE some MAGIC happen in the kitchen? Follow these super EASY steps and BAM, you’ve got yourself an AMAZING dish!
Prep the Chicken – CHOP CHOP
First thing first: get your chicken breasts ready. Cut them into bite-sized pieces—about an inch. Try not to make them HUGE cause that will take them MORE TIME to cook and less enjoyable to bite into. Throw your pieces into a bowl. We’ll get those chicken babies covered in flavor NEXT!
Season it UP
In the same bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix them GOOD until every single piece is covered with those DELICIOUS seasonings. Give those a little dance… you know… just mix mix!
Adjust seasonings: I’ve said 4 cloves for a garlicy flavor, but really it comes all down to you! Make this YOUR creation! Use different spices, add some peppers or whatever is more of YOUR TASTE, OKAY?!!
Melt That Butter, Baby!
Put 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet, make sure the heat is MEDIUM. Make sure all the butter is completely melted and it is bubbling hot. We want that golden goodness working its magic, you know what I mean?
Cook the Chicken to Perfection – GIMME That GOLDEN BROWN!
You add 1 tablespoon of pure olive oil to your skillet (you will want to do it now for extra flavor). Place your seasoned chicken in the skillet. Cook until all the pieces turn GOLDEN brown and cooked all the way though, turning frequently. It should take about 8-10 minutes for everything to be golden brown and AMAZING, BUT the important part is the inside; chicken must not have any pink parts or be “raw” – make sure they are all WHITE in the inside so you avoid sickness.
The Garlic Bomb
Add in 4 cloves of minced garlic into your chicken, it has to be finely minced. Stir fry the chicken with the garlic for about a minute; making sure it’s covering every single bite size piece! Garlic BURNS FAST. So make sure to watch your stove at all times, that we avoid all that yucky burning.
Make sure the chicken is fully done and remove from the heat
This is a MUST step! Cut open a couple of pieces in the center with a knife; just like I told you before – if any pink remains; let it cook more on the heat until all parts are WHITE. Otherwise if you’re 100% sure it is completely cooked, immediately remove your chicken bites from the heat. You might be tempted to keep them on the heat; they look like little caramelized candies right now, but take them OFF now. Trust me!
Don’t overcook: You have to make sure you get the chicken golden brown. Overcooked chicken is always DRY and NO one wants that (plus, nobody wants to EAT anything that gives you an ick feeling).
Serve Your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Hot
Serve it FRESHLY MADE immediately! Place them in a plate and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley. SERIOUSLY guys, just when you think this was good, the freshness of parsley does the TRICK, believe me! Pair these bites with your favorite sides: rice, mashed potatoes, salad… ANYTHING! Don’t forget to share with your friends and FAMILY because… we did all this to eat as much as we wanted with them by our sides! (And brag a little because your cooking is gonna be LEGIT! I swear!).
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Serving Suggestions: Let’s Get Creative!
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are like that super flexible friend; you know? They are great on their own, but they’re even BETTER with others! Here are some FUN ways you can make a WHOLE meal with it:
- Over Rice: This is ALWAYS a winner, every. single. time. Add some greens and boom, EASY dinner.
- With Pasta: Garlic butter chicken pasta? Say NO MORE. I would recommend some garlic toasted bread with a drizzle of oil with a bit of garlic as a side; YUM!
- In Salad: Want something lighter? These chicken bites make a killer protein in a salad with a yummy vinaigrette (with some oil to keep those chicken bits juicy!).
- On skewers: They are a MUST for picnics or even fancy dinners at home with your kids ( or adults I’m not gonna judge!).
- Inside tacos My sister-in-law ALWAYS has extra tacos and she did something FUN using them instead of shredded chicken; She places some guacamole on it; then the garlic chicken and salsa with a dash of hot sauce! The taste combination is AMAZING!
Don’t be afraid to be CREATIVE! After all… this is YOUR creation now; not just mine, or my husbands. You get the fun now; SO don’t stop making yummy ideas of all ways to eat it!!
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Tips for the BEST Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Okay, want to take this recipe from “good” to “AMAZING”? Here are a few extra tricks that my husband learned while cooking (and he uses all the time!) :
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: It’s SOOO important because, then, they might boil instead of caramelizing beautifully in your butter. We want CRISPY OUTSIDE, remember?! Cook in batches if you need to (patience is KEY!).
- Use FRESH garlic: While garlic powder is great when in a pinch, nothing beats fresh minced garlic for a true flavor BAM!. So make that extra effort, if you can and thank me later 😉
- Watch the temperature: Avoid the “high” settings for anything when it comes to heat. Med heat it ALWAYS the perfect “sweet spot”. This will avoid everything from BURNING up too fast and giving you a BAD taste (trust me I’ve burned many, LOL).
- Don’t overcook: You have to make sure you get the chicken golden brown. Overcooked chicken is always DRY and NO one wants that (plus, nobody wants to EAT anything that gives you an ick feeling).
- Serve IMMEDIATELY: This is really important, while they can be a great leftover (it loses flavor overtime), they are amazing when freshly cooked. Be sure to serve it hot so your kids get those “OH WOW” when they get their first bite!
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FAQ’s about our Amazing Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
I got ALL the answers, I GOTCHU!
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
YES you can! Chicken thighs are delicious too, they just require a couple extra minutes to be fully cooked. They’ll still taste JUST as AMAZING and juicier.
Can I make this ahead of time?
These are best served HOT off the pan but yes, they are DELICIOUS for a few days later, just put them in the fridge when cold, then take them back on a pan until warmed up or a quick 30 seconds on your microwave is FINE. I REALLY think it’s more flavourful freshly done, but do you!
What can I serve these with for a COMPLETE meal?
Rice, pasta, potatoes, salad— the options are ENDLESS! Throw a vegetable like asparagus or green beans in too; you won’t be disappointed!
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Make sure there’s absolutely NO PINK and the insides are WHITE. If it feels raw-ish; cook them more for safety. That would depend if you cut it too thick, then it will take extra time to fully cook.
Can I add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick?
HECK YES! My favorite thing EVER is a hint of spice! GO for it!! Do your thing; don’t stop yourself now; this is YOUR CREATION. (my mouth just waters with spice!!)
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Okay folks! That’s ALL there is to it! You’ve got all the tools and the KNOW HOW to cook something REALLY LEGIT now. Go forth and cook these EASY garlic butter chicken bites for your family and friends; AND ENJOY every bite! You will not be sorry, trust me!
Okay; until next time folks; HAPPY COOKING!!! LET ME KNOW HOW DID YOU ALL MAKE OUT!!
