Description
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are tender, juicy pieces of boneless chicken thighs seared to golden perfection in a skillet and tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful appetizer. Garnished with fresh parsley, these chicken bites deliver rich, buttery, savory flavors with a crisp, browned exterior and succulent interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 to 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs. Cut the chicken into approximately 1 1/2-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Season evenly on all sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat the skillet and sear chicken: Turn on your range hood if available. Heat a large (12-inch) stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Once the butter is sizzling and starting to brown, arrange the chicken bites in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded.
- Sear the chicken on one side: Without moving the pieces, allow the chicken to sear until it turns opaque about two-thirds of the way through and forms a well-browned crust on the bottom, which takes about 4 minutes.
- Flip and finish cooking: Use tongs or a spatula to flip the chicken pieces over. Sear the other side until well-browned and fully cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes, making sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF. Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl or plate.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet along with the chopped garlic. Sauté gently, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spatula. Cook the garlic until fragrant and no longer raw but not browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss chicken in garlic butter: Remove the skillet from heat. Return the chicken bites to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly in the garlic butter sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the garlic butter chicken bites to a serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful bites compared to chicken breast.
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear and crust.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure even cooking and proper browning.
- Monitor garlic carefully and cook on medium-low to avoid burning it, which can make it bitter.
- Internal temperature of chicken should reach 165ºF to ensure it is safely cooked.
- Fresh parsley is optional but adds a fresh, bright flavor and color to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
