Amazing 30-Minute Chicken Bites with Sauce

Name: Amazing 30-Minute Chicken Bites with Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tbsp all purpose flour; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic minced; 1 cup chicken broth; 1/3 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

By anna Boncoeur On November 2, 2025

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If you are staring down a busy evening and need dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, you are in the right place! My specialty is crafting truly flavorful, comforting food that doesn’t require hours of babysitting the stove. I’m Anna, and as a passionate food lover, I live to share simple, joyful chicken recipes like these Chicken Bites with Sauce. This one-skillet wonder proves that you don’t need complicated steps or a mountain of dishes to achieve a rich, savory dinner that tastes like you spent all afternoon on it. Trust me, this recipe is about to become your weeknight MVP.

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Gathering Your Ingredients for Chicken Bites with Sauce

The beauty of this Chicken Bites with Sauce recipe is just how quickly it comes together, but that speed relies on having everything prepped and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. We’re aiming for a total cook time of about 15 minutes, so mise en place is your best friend here! Think of your counter space as your command center; lay everything out clearly. Since this is a skillet meal, we don’t need a massive spread, but clear bowls for your spices and prepped items make the process seamless.

We are working with ingredients that pack a lot of flavor with minimal effort. You’ll need chicken, some basic pantry spices, broth, cream, and Dijon mustard to build that gorgeous sauce later. Remember, the quality of your simple ingredients really shines through when you’re cooking something this fast.

Precise Measurements for the Chicken Bites with Sauce

Getting the prep right is crucial for this recipe to work perfectly. For the chicken, we need 1 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless breast cut down into uniform 1-inch pieces. This ensures everything cooks evenly in that short sear time. Don’t skip the light coating; that little bit of flour mixed with the paprika, salt, and pepper is what helps create the base for your sauce later on.

When it comes to the aromatics, make sure that garlic is finely minced—we want that flavor blooming quickly, not chunky bits hanging around. For the fresh parsley at the end, measure out 2 tablespoons chopped. If you’re using dried parsley instead (it happens!), use about 2 teaspoons, but honestly, the fresh stuff just brightens everything up at the last second. Keep all these prepped items close by!

Essential Equipment for Making Perfect Chicken Bites with Sauce

Since we are aiming for a record-breaking quick dinner, we need the right tools for this one-skillet magic. You absolutely must have a large, heavy-bottomed skillet—cast iron or stainless steel works best. That heavy base is what gives you that beautiful, even sear on your chicken pieces, which is key for the final flavor of these Chicken Bites with Sauce.

Other than that, you’ll need a good cutting board and a sharp knife for prepping, a couple of small bowls for mixing the spices, and maybe a plate to hold the seared chicken temporarily. That’s it! Minimal cleanup is part of the joy here.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Easy Skillet Chicken Bites with Sauce

Alright, time to cook! This whole process, from start to finish, should take you about 15 to 20 minutes max once you have everything chopped. We are moving fast, but we are not rushing the browning, okay? That deep flavor base is non-negotiable for amazing Chicken Bites with Sauce.

Preparing and Searing the Chicken Pieces

First things first, grab those prepped chicken pieces. Pat them really dry with a paper towel—this is super important! If the chicken is wet, it steams instead of searing, and we want golden crusts, not pale chicken. In a medium bowl, toss the dried chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. Make sure every piece gets a very light, even coating. Don’t dump the flour on; toss it gently!

Next, get your large skillet heating over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let that oil shimmer—you want it hot! Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the pan in a single layer. Resist the urge to crowd the pan; if you have too much chicken, cook it in two batches. Here’s the secret step: once the chicken is down, leave it alone for a solid 4 minutes. Don’t touch it! This builds that crucial browned crust. After 4 minutes, stir them up and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the internal temperature hits that safe 165°F (74°C). Once they look golden and finished, scoop the chicken out onto a clean plate and set it aside for just a moment.

Building the Rich Savory Sauce for Chicken Bites with Sauce

Keep that skillet right on the heat, maybe turn it down just a touch to medium now. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the pan drippings. Once that melts, toss in your 4 cloves of minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until you can really smell it—that’s the garlic blooming! Don’t let it burn, or the whole dish will taste bitter.

Now, grab 1 cup of chicken broth. Pour it into the hot pan. This is called deglazing! Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up all those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet—that’s pure flavor for your sauce! Let that broth simmer and reduce slightly for about 2 minutes. Once it looks just a touch reduced, stir in 1/3 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Whisk that gently until everything is combined. Let this mixture simmer slowly for another 2 to 3 minutes. You’ll notice it starting to coat the back of your spoon—that’s how you know the sauce for your Chicken Bites with Sauce is thickening up perfectly!

Finishing and Serving Your Skillet Chicken Bites with Sauce

Once the sauce has reached that beautiful, rich consistency, return all those seared chicken pieces back into the skillet. Toss them gently so every bite gets coated in that creamy, savory goodness. Take the pan off the heat immediately so the sauce doesn’t over-reduce.

For the final touch, sprinkle everything generously with 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley. It adds such a great pop of color and freshness against the rich sauce. Serve these amazing Chicken Bites with Sauce right away—maybe over some fluffy rice or alongside some steamed green beans. Enjoy that easy, delicious dinner! If you are looking for more quick skillet meals, check out this delicious one-pan dinner idea.

Tips for Success with Your Chicken Bites with Sauce

These Chicken Bites with Sauce are designed to be foolproof, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that make the difference between good and truly great. Don’t sweat it if your first batch isn’t magazine-perfect; cooking is about adjusting! My goal is to help you nail the texture and flavor every single time you make this easy skillet dinner.

The biggest mistake people make is rushing the sear or guessing about doneness. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be pulling off restaurant-quality results on a Tuesday night. You can find more helpful cooking tips on our Pinterest page.

Achieving Perfect Chicken Temperature and Safety

I cannot stress this enough: you must use a meat thermometer for safety and texture! Chicken breast can dry out in a heartbeat if you overcook it even slightly. We are aiming for an internal temperature of exactly 165°F (74°C). Pull the chicken out right when that thermometer reads it, even if you think it looks a tiny bit underdone. Remember, it continues to cook for a minute or two once you remove it from the direct heat, and then it rests in the warm sauce anyway. Undercooked chicken is unsafe, but overcooked chicken is tough—the thermometer is your bridge between those two worlds!

Adjusting Sauce Thickness and Flavor

If your sauce seems too thin after simmering, don’t panic. Just let it bubble gently for another minute or two; the cream and the flour residue from the chicken usually do most of the thickening work. If it gets *too* thick, just whisk in another splash of chicken broth or even a teaspoon of water until it loosens up to a nice gravy consistency. Flavor-wise, always taste before you serve! The broth and Dijon mustard add saltiness, but if your broth was low-sodium, you might need an extra pinch of salt or pepper. Taste it right before you toss the chicken back in. For more ways to use chicken breast, see this guide on juicy baked chicken breasts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Bites with Sauce

I get so many great questions when people try this recipe for the first time, and honestly, that’s the best part of sharing food! It means you’re making it! Here are a few common things I hear about getting these Chicken Bites with Sauce just right, plus some ideas for serving.

Can I substitute the heavy cream in this Chicken Bites with Sauce recipe?

Oh yes, you absolutely can! If heavy cream isn’t in your fridge, or if you’re trying to lighten things up, you have a couple of great options. You can use half-and-half, but you’ll need to simmer the sauce a little longer to get that same thickness. If you want a non-dairy swap, try using full-fat canned coconut milk. It sounds wild, but the savory flavors of the Dijon and garlic totally mask the coconut taste, leaving you with a wonderfully rich sauce. Just be aware that non-dairy options sometimes don’t thicken quite as much as heavy cream, so you might need to simmer that sauce for an extra minute or two.

What sides pair well with this Easy Skillet Dinner?

Since this is such a rich, savory dish, I love pairing it with something that can soak up all that extra sauce! My absolute favorite is serving these Chicken Bites with Sauce over fluffy white rice or even some creamy mashed potatoes. If you want something green, roasted asparagus or quick-sautéed green beans are fantastic because they add a nice little crunch. For a truly easy weeknight dinner, even serving it with crusty bread for dipping is heavenly. Keep the sides simple so the chicken remains the star! If you enjoy skillet meals, you might also like this skillet bang bang chicken thighs recipe.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken Bites with Sauce

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers from your Chicken Bites with Sauce—which, frankly, is rare in my house—storing them correctly is key to enjoying them the next day. The sauce is what makes this dish, so we need to protect its integrity! Get yourself a good, airtight container. I highly recommend dedicating one container specifically for your skillet meals; it makes grabbing leftovers so much easier.

Let the chicken and sauce cool down completely before sealing the lid. They should last beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you’re ready to reheat, skip the microwave if you can! The best way to revive these is on the stovetop over low heat with a tiny splash of extra broth or water. This prevents the sauce from seizing up. If you must use the microwave, cover the container loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Enjoy those second helpings!

Estimated Nutritional Data for Chicken Bites with Sauce

I always keep a close eye on what we’re eating, even when I’m whipping up something fast like these Chicken Bites with Sauce. Since this is a recipe built for speed and flavor, it’s great to know what you’re getting. Remember, these numbers are estimates based on the standard ingredients for 4 servings, and things like the exact fat content in your chicken or the amount of broth reduction can change things slightly!

Here is a snapshot of what you can generally expect per serving from this easy skillet dinner:

Nutrient	Approximate Amount
Calories	385
Protein	37 g
Total Fat	23 g
Carbohydrates	6 g

I think you’ll agree that 37 grams of protein for under 400 calories is a fantastic deal for a dinner that took less than 25 minutes to make. It’s proof that comfort food can absolutely fit into a busy weeknight schedule! For more quick chicken ideas, check out our collection of chicken recipes.