Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great. They have more fat, so they'll be juicier and richer. Cut them into one-inch pieces and follow the same coating and cooking times. Since thighs are a bit more forgiving, you have a slightly larger window before they dry out compared to chicken breast.

What to serve with garlic butter chicken bites?

Serve them over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce. For a lighter meal, try zucchini noodles or a simple side salad. They also make a fantastic appetizer on their own, served straight from the skillet with toothpicks.

Can I make this in an air fryer?

Yes. Cook coated bites at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through. Then make the sauce separately in a small pan and toss.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

The key is temperature control. After searing the chicken, take the skillet off the heat and let it cool for a full minute. Then add your minced garlic and cold butter. Return it to medium-low heat and cook for only 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant. See the troubleshooting table above for more details.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: 25-Minute Crispy Recipe

Name: 25-Minute Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites (Flour vs. Cornstarch)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; ¼ cup all-purpose flour or cornstarch (30g); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¾ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold; 4-5 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons); 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Description

Crispy, bite-sized chicken pieces pan-seared until golden brown and tossed in a rich, glossy garlic butter sauce. This one-pan recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or easy party appetizer. The key to the crispiness is coating the chicken in flour or cornstarch before searing.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken & Coating:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

¼ cup all-purpose flour or cornstarch (30g)

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

4-5 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1 ½ tablespoons)

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Pat the chicken breast pieces completely dry with paper towels.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour or cornstarch, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

3. Add the dried chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until evenly coated. Shake off any excess coating.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes until it shimmers.

5. Add the coated chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes to develop a crust.

6. Flip each piece and cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F / 74°C). Transfer to a plate.

7. Remove the skillet from heat and let it cool for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and return skillet to burner.

8. Add the minced garlic and cold butter. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant.

9. Return all cooked chicken bites to the skillet. Add fresh parsley and lemon juice, then toss until chicken is glossy and coated in sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

Patting the chicken very dry before coating ensures a good sear instead of steaming.

Swirling in cold butter creates an emulsified sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water, or microwave in 30-second intervals.

For maximum crispiness that holds up better against the sauce, use cornstarch instead of flour.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 394 kcal
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 380 mg
Fat: 21 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 42 g
Cholesterol: 125 mg