Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and coated in a rich, fragrant garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy and flavorful dish perfect for a quick dinner that feels special. The buttery garlic glaze enhances the natural savoriness of the chicken with a delicious crust and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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 bits of fat from the chicken thighs. Cut the chicken into approximately 1 1/2-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle all sides evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to season.
- 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 butter. When the butter is sizzling and begins to brown, add the chicken bites in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pan.
- Sear the chicken on one side: Without moving the chicken, let it sear until it turns opaque about two-thirds of the way through and develops a well-browned crust on the bottom, approximately 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. Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl or plate.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet along with the chopped garlic. Sauté gently while using a wooden spatula to scrape up all the browned bits from the pan bottom. Cook until the garlic is 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 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 and more flavorful results compared to chicken breasts.
- Patting the chicken dry before searing helps achieve a nice crust and reduces splattering.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to allow proper browning and even cooking.
- Fresh garlic is essential for the sauce; adjust the amount to taste for more or less garlic flavor.
- If parsley is unavailable, fresh chives or basil can be a good alternative garnish.
- Monitor garlic closely while sautéing to avoid burning, which would impart a bitter taste.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to an internal temperature of 165°F.
