Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs seared to perfection and tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce & Garnish
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 to 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. Cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Season evenly 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 butter. Once it sizzles and starts to brown, add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they don’t crowd the pan.
- Sear the chicken on one side: Without moving the chicken, cook until the pieces turn opaque about two-thirds through and develop a well-browned crust on the bottom, approximately 4 minutes.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the chicken using tongs or a spatula and sear the other side until well-browned and fully cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Confirm the internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF. Transfer the 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 scraping up browned bits from 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 evenly with the garlic butter sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken bites to a serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if using. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use a cast iron or stainless steel skillet for best browning and flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure a nice sear on the chicken pieces.
- Adjust garlic quantity based on your preference for garlic intensity.
- Make sure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF for food safety.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh flavor but is optional.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
