Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites : Easy 10 Minutes Recipe

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Tender, juicy chicken bites bathed in a rich, savory garlic butter sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.

Introduction: A Bite of Comfort

There’s something inherently comforting about the combination of tender chicken and garlicky, buttery sauce. These comforting garlic butter chicken bites deliver on that promise, offering a simple yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Remember those weeknights when my grandmother would whip up a similar dish? The aroma alone was enough to lift our spirits. This recipe captures that same essence of warmth and home-cooked goodness. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful, making it a new family favorite in our house.

Ingredients and Substitutions:

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
4 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Substitutions:

Chicken: You can substitute chicken thighs for a richer flavor, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
Flour: Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can be used as a substitute.
Butter: Olive oil or a combination of butter and olive oil works well.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and creates bite-sized pieces that are perfect for dipping or serving over rice.

Season the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge the chicken cubes in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. This step helps create a crispy exterior when cooked.

Chicken pieces coated in a seasoned flour mixture in a mixing bowl — Lightly coated chicken for a crispy exterior

Sear the Chicken: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Chicken bites searing in a skillet with melted butter — Golden-brown chicken bites cooking in a hot skillet

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. The aroma of the garlic infusing the butter is simply divine.

Minced garlic cooking in melted butter in a skillet — Fragrant garlic sautéing in butter

Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. This creates a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

Garlic butter sauce simmering in a skillet — A rich, golden sauce simmering to perfection

Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Let it simmer for a minute or two to allow the flavors to meld.

Chicken bites coated in garlic butter sauce in a skillet — Chicken bites soaking up the rich garlic butter flavors

Serve and Garnish: Serve the comforting garlic butter chicken bites immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. They pair perfectly with rice, pasta, or a simple salad.

Garlic butter chicken bites plated with parsley garnish — A comforting plate of garlic butter chicken bites

Tips and Variations for Your Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the flour mixture for a touch of heat.
Lemon Herb Variation: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the garlic butter sauce for a brighter flavor.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken: Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or cream cheese to the sauce for a richer, creamier version.
Veggie Boost: Sauté some sliced mushrooms or bell peppers along with the garlic for added flavor and nutrients.

Garlic butter chicken bites served with rice on a white plate — Serve with rice or pasta for a complete meal

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover comforting garlic butter chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Let’s Hear From You!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this comforting garlic butter chicken bites recipe! Share your feedback, reviews, or any creative variations you’ve tried in the comments below.

FAQ: Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Rice

These chicken bites are delicious served over rice. Simply cook your favorite rice according to package instructions and serve the chicken bites on top.

Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Slow Cooker

While this recipe is designed for the stovetop, you can adapt it for a slow cooker. Sear the chicken as directed, then transfer it to a slow cooker with the garlic butter sauce ingredients. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites in Oven

To bake these chicken bites, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Follow steps 1 and 2 of the recipe, then arrange the chicken bites in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Prepare the garlic butter sauce as directed in steps 4 and 5, then toss the cooked chicken in the sauce.

Comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Baked

Baking these comforting garlic butter chicken bites is a great option for a hands-off approach. See the detailed instructions in the previous FAQ answer for baking these delicious bites.