Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are a delicious and flavorful dish featuring tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked to perfection and coated in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of heat and fresh herbs. Perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these chicken bites bring a savory, buttery punch with every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a large bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until all pieces are evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and chopped fresh parsley. Stir well to combine and cook the sauce for 1 minute to thicken slightly and blend the flavors.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly with the cowboy butter sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 1 minute to allow the flavors to infuse the chicken.
- Serve: Garnish with extra chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while the chicken bites are hot and flavorful.
Notes
- For maximum flavor, sear the chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding the skillet to ensure even browning.
- You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will give a juicier bite.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes amount to control the heat level in the sauce.
- Serve with crusty bread, rice, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Ensure garlic does not burn when cooking the sauce as it can become bitter.
Keywords: chicken bites, cowboy butter sauce, skillet chicken, garlicky butter chicken, quick chicken recipe, smoked paprika chicken
Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-bites-recipe/
