Garlic-Butter Chicken Bites
These amazing garlic-butter chicken bites are perfect for anyone who loves tender, juicy chicken with incredible flavor! Busy families and dinner party hosts will absolutely love how these come together in just 15 minutes.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 15 minutes, Serves: 5 people.
Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Low-Sodium, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 199 Calories, 11g Fat, 2g Carbs, 18g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: You’ll need 1 pound, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces. I love using thighs because they stay so much more tender and juicy than chicken breasts!
Salt and pepper: You’ll need ½ teaspoon of each for seasoning. This simple combo really makes the chicken flavors pop.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Just 1 tablespoon for cooking the chicken. This gives you that perfect golden-brown sear.
Dry white wine: You’ll need ½ cup for the sauce. Don’t worry – the alcohol cooks off, leaving amazing flavor behind!
Butter: 2 tablespoons make this sauce incredibly rich and delicious. Room temperature butter works best here.
Fresh garlic: 3 cloves, grated, give you that amazing garlic punch. Fresh garlic makes such a difference in this recipe!
Fresh herbs: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley, basil, or dill add the perfect fresh finish. Use whatever herbs you love most!
Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon or more to taste brightens up the whole dish. Fresh lemon juice is definitely worth it here!
How to Make Garlic-Butter Chicken Bites
Step 1: Season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper all over. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in one single layer – don’t crowd them! Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once, until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: Add the wine, butter, and grated garlic to the same pan. Cook while stirring and scraping up all those yummy browned bits from the bottom. Let it bubble and reduce by about half – this takes 1 to 2 minutes. Return the chicken and any juices back to the pan and toss everything together. Remove from heat and stir in your fresh herbs and lemon juice.
Easy and Quick Garlic-Butter Chicken Bites Version
Want to make this even faster? You can use pre-cut chicken pieces from the store! Just make sure they’re about 1-inch in size. You can also skip the wine and use ¼ cup chicken broth instead – it’s still super delicious and saves you from opening a bottle of wine!
Serving Ideas
These chicken bites are incredibly versatile! Serve them as appetizers with toothpicks for parties, or make them the star of dinner over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or your favorite pasta. They’re also amazing over a simple green salad for a lighter meal.
Storage
Store leftover chicken bites in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, just warm them gently in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or microwave for 30-45 seconds until heated through.
Substitutions
No chicken thighs? Chicken breasts work great too – just watch them carefully so they don’t overcook! You can swap the white wine for chicken broth or even apple juice. If you don’t have fresh herbs, use 2 teaspoons of dried herbs instead.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook the chicken in batches if needed so each piece gets perfectly golden.
- Save those browned bits: They’re pure flavor gold! Make sure to scrape them up when you add the wine.
- Taste and adjust: Add more lemon juice if you like it tangier, or more herbs for extra freshness.
- Room temperature butter: It melts faster and creates a smoother sauce.
FAQs
Can I make these chicken bites ahead of time?
You bet! You can cook the chicken completely and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat gently and add a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up again.
What if I don’t have white wine?
No worries at all! Chicken broth works perfectly, or you can even use a splash of apple cider vinegar mixed with a little water. The key is having some liquid to deglaze that pan and pick up all the flavor.
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Sure! Just make sure to thaw it completely first and pat it really dry with paper towels. Wet chicken won’t brown properly, and you want that beautiful golden color!
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and reach 165°F internal temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest piece – it should be white all the way through with no pink spots.
I hope you love these garlic-butter chicken bites as much as my family does! Let me know how yours turn out – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures and any fun twists you add to the recipe!
