Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: Amazing 20 Minute Flavor

If you’re tired of boring dinners that take forever, then you are in the right place! I’m Anna, and I spend all my time dreaming up simple, flavorful chicken recipes designed to make your everyday cooking easier and way more joyful. Seriously, weeknights shouldn’t be stressful. My absolute favorite thing to share is how to turn pantry staples into something incredible in minutes.

Today, we are diving deep into the best recipe I have for you: **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**. These little gems cook up so fast—we’re talking 20 minutes total—and they are packed with that rich, savory flavor everyone begs for. Trust me, after making these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** once, they will become the centerpiece of your quick meal rotation. I’ve perfected the timing here so you get perfectly browned, juicy chicken every single time.

Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Before we even think about turning on the stove, we need to get organized! That’s my biggest secret for making these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** work so quickly—mise en place, they call it. If everything is ready to go, the actual cooking is just a breeze. We’re using simple, beautiful ingredients here, so fresh quality really shines through.

For this recipe, you’ll want about a pound and a half of boneless, skinless chicken breast. Make sure you have your butter softened just a little bit; it mixes better that way when it hits the hot pan. And please, if you have fresh garlic, use it! That fresh aroma when it hits the butter is what makes these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** taste like they took way longer than 20 minutes to make.

Essential Components for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Here’s exactly what you need for four satisfying servings:

Ingredient	Amount	Prep Needed
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast	1 1/2 pounds	Cut into 1-inch cubes
Unsalted Butter	4 tablespoons	Softened slightly
Garlic	5 cloves	Minced finely
Fresh Parsley	1 tablespoon	Finely chopped
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons	Ready to use
Kosher Salt & Pepper	1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper	Measure out
Paprika & Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon each	Measure out

Equipment Needed for This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

You don’t need a million gadgets for this, which is why I love it for busy nights! The most crucial thing is a good, large skillet—I use my 12-inch stainless steel pan because it lets me cook the chicken in a single layer without crowding. Crowding equals steaming, and we want golden brown crusts on these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**!

Also, please grab a reliable meat thermometer. Chicken safety is non-negotiable, even when cooking something this fast. You’ll also need a sharp knife for mincing that garlic and a couple of mixing bowls for your seasonings.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Amazing Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Now that everything is prepped, this goes incredibly fast. Seriously, you’ll blink and dinner is done! Follow these stages exactly, especially regarding heat management, and you’ll have the juiciest, most flavorful **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** you’ve ever made.

Preparing and Seasoning the Chicken

First things first: moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Take your cubed chicken and pat every single piece dry with paper towels. I mean it—get them as dry as you possibly can! Once they are dry, toss them into a bowl.

We are building flavor right now. Add your kosher salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder right over the top. Gently toss them around until every surface of the chicken looks evenly coated in that reddish-yellow seasoning mix. Don’t skip the seasoning; it forms the first layer of flavor for our sauce later.

Achieving the Perfect Sear on Your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Time for the heat! Put your large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in the two tablespoons of olive oil. Wait until that oil is shimmering—that means it’s hot enough. Now, carefully add the seasoned chicken cubes to the pan. The most important thing here is to lay them down in a single layer. If you pile them up, they will steam, and we want crispy edges!

Resist the urge to stir them for the first four minutes. Let them sit there and develop that gorgeous golden-brown crust. After four minutes, give them a stir and cook for another three to four minutes. You need to check the temperature now—make sure the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) with your thermometer. If it’s not there, give it another minute or two.

Creating the Rich Garlic Butter Sauce

Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, immediately reduce the heat down to medium. This stops the chicken from overcooking while we build the sauce. Push the chicken pieces to one side of the skillet, or just move the heat down if you have a big pan.

Drop in your four tablespoons of butter. Let it melt completely. The second it’s melted, add your five cloves of minced garlic. Now, you have to watch closely! Garlic burns fast. Cook it for only about 30 seconds, just until you start smelling that incredible, pungent aroma filling your kitchen. That’s your cue!

Finishing and Serving the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Quickly toss all those chicken pieces through that melted garlic butter mixture. Make sure every single morsel of chicken gets totally coated in that glossy, fragrant sauce. This step only takes about 30 seconds.

As soon as everything is coated, take the skillet right off the heat. That residual heat is enough! Finish by sprinkling that fresh, bright parsley right over the top. That little pop of green is exactly what these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** need for color and freshness before you serve them immediately.

Tips for Success with Your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, usually when I’m rushing home from errands, so I’ve learned a few tricks to keep these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** consistently perfect. The biggest pitfall is usually moisture or burning the garlic, but we can easily avoid both!

When you’re searing, if your pan seems too crowded, cook the chicken in two batches instead of one. It takes an extra minute, but that crust is worth it. Also, don’t be shy about using a good non-stick surface if you worry about sticking, although stainless steel works beautifully if you get the oil hot enough first. You can find more great tips on our Pinterest page.

Ensuring Chicken Safety and Texture

I can’t stress this enough: always use a meat thermometer. Chicken must reach 165°F (74°C) all the way through. If you cook it past that, it gets tough, especially when cut into small cubes like this. Since these are small bites, they cook fast, so monitoring that temp is key to keeping them juicy yet safe.

Also, remember that the butter and garlic sauce is added right at the end. If you add the garlic when the chicken is still cooking, it will turn bitter and black before the chicken is even done. We want sweet, aromatic garlic coating the bites, not burnt bits!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

If you’re out of fresh parsley, don’t panic! You can absolutely use dried parsley, but you need to use much less. Use just 1 teaspoon of dried parsley instead of the full tablespoon of fresh. Dried herbs are much more potent, so less is more there.

For the butter, I prefer unsalted so I can control the saltiness from the seasoning blend, but if you only have salted butter on hand, just skip adding the initial teaspoon of kosher salt to the chicken and taste it after it’s coated in the sauce before serving. For more chicken ideas, check out this recipe for baked chicken tenders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Q1. What’s the best way to ensure my chicken stays juicy and doesn’t dry out?
The absolute best way is to follow the two-stage cooking process we used for these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**. First, sear them quickly over medium-high heat until they start to brown, and then immediately check the temperature. Pull them off the heat the second they hit 165°F (74°C). The final coating in the butter sauce doesn’t add much more cooking time, keeping them tender.

Q2. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this skillet chicken recipe?
Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully! They are naturally more forgiving and flavorful. If you use thighs, you might need to cook them about 1-2 minutes longer overall because they are often thicker than breast cubes, but follow the 165°F temperature rule regardless. If you prefer thighs, you might enjoy our recipe for easy creamy oven baked chicken thighs.

Q3. I hate mincing garlic! Can I use pre-minced garlic from a jar?
You certainly can, especially when you’re in a hurry. However, jarred garlic tends to be milder and sometimes packed in oil. If you use jarred, make sure you drain off any excess liquid before adding it to the pan. Aim for about 1 1/2 tablespoons of jarred garlic to equal those 5 fresh cloves.

Q4. My sauce looks thin; how can I thicken it up for better coating?
If your sauce is too thin after coating the **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**, take the pan off the heat, and quickly whisk in about half a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a teaspoon of cold water—that’s called a slurry. Put it back on very low heat for just 30 seconds while stirring constantly, and it will thicken right up!

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Because this main dish is so rich and savory, it pairs beautifully with something that can soak up all that extra garlic butter goodness. My favorite way to serve it is over a bed of fluffy white rice. The rice acts like a sponge for the sauce!

If you’re trying to keep it lighter, steamed green beans or simple roasted asparagus are fantastic side dishes. They offer a nice, clean crunch that contrasts nicely with the tender chicken. You could also toss these right into some fresh pasta—maybe a short noodle like penne or rotini—and call it a complete meal! For a different pasta idea, see our creamy Monterey chicken spaghetti recipe.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Leftovers are fantastic, but you need to store them correctly to maintain the texture of the **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**. The key is getting them cooled quickly and into an airtight container so that rich garlic butter doesn’t make everything soggy overnight. I usually aim to refrigerate mine within two hours of cooking.

When you want to enjoy them again, the stovetop is your best friend for reheating. It helps bring back a little bit of that original sear. Avoid nuking them too long, or they will seize up! Here’s a quick guide for keeping your **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** tasting almost as good as fresh.

Method	Instructions
Refrigerator Storage	Airtight container for up to 3 days
Stovetop Reheat	Medium heat in a skillet, 3-4 minutes
Microwave Reheat	Low power, 45-second intervals

Tips for Success with Your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, usually when I’m rushing home from errands, so I’ve learned a few tricks to keep these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** consistently perfect. The biggest pitfall is usually moisture or burning the garlic, but we can easily avoid both!

When you’re searing, if your pan seems too crowded, cook the chicken in two batches instead of one. It takes an extra minute, but that crust is worth it. Also, don’t be shy about using a good non-stick surface if you worry about sticking, although stainless steel works beautifully if you get the oil hot enough first.

Ensuring Chicken Safety and Texture

I can’t stress this enough: always use a meat thermometer. Chicken must reach 165°F (74°C) all the way through. If you cook it past that, it gets tough, especially when cut into small cubes like this. Since these are small bites, they cook fast, so monitoring that temp is key to keeping them juicy yet safe.

Also, remember that the butter and garlic sauce is added right at the end. If you add the garlic when the chicken is still cooking, it will turn bitter and black before the chicken is even done. We want sweet, aromatic garlic coating the bites, not burnt bits!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

If you’re out of fresh parsley, don’t panic! You can absolutely use dried parsley, but you need to use much less. Use just 1 teaspoon of dried parsley instead of the full tablespoon of fresh. Dried herbs are much more potent, so less is more there.

For the butter, I prefer unsalted so I can control the saltiness from the seasoning blend, but if you only have salted butter on hand, just skip adding the initial teaspoon of kosher salt to the chicken and taste it after it’s coated in the sauce before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Q1. What’s the best way to ensure my chicken stays juicy and doesn’t dry out?
The absolute best way is to follow the two-stage cooking process we used for these **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**. First, sear them quickly over medium-high heat until they start to brown, and then immediately check the temperature. Pull them off the heat the second they hit 165°F (74°C). The final coating in the butter sauce doesn’t add much more cooking time, keeping them tender.

Q2. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this skillet chicken recipe?
Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully! They are naturally more forgiving and flavorful. If you use thighs, you might need to cook them about 1-2 minutes longer overall because they are often thicker than breast cubes, but follow the 165°F temperature rule regardless.

Q3. I hate mincing garlic! Can I use pre-minced garlic from a jar?
You certainly can, especially when you’re in a hurry. However, jarred garlic tends to be milder and sometimes packed in oil. If you use jarred, make sure you drain off any excess liquid before adding it to the pan. Aim for about 1 1/2 tablespoons of jarred garlic to equal those 5 fresh cloves.

Q4. My sauce looks thin; how can I thicken it up for better coating?
If your sauce is too thin after coating the **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**, take the pan off the heat, and quickly whisk in about half a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a teaspoon of cold water—that’s called a slurry. Put it back on very low heat for just 30 seconds while stirring constantly, and it will thicken right up!

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Because this main dish is so rich and savory, it pairs beautifully with something that can soak up all that extra garlic butter goodness. My favorite way to serve it is over a bed of fluffy white rice. The rice acts like a sponge for the sauce!

If you’re trying to keep it lighter, steamed green beans or simple roasted asparagus are fantastic side dishes. They offer a nice, clean crunch that contrasts nicely with the tender chicken. You could also toss these right into some fresh pasta—maybe a short noodle like penne or rotini—and call it a complete meal!

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Leftovers are fantastic, but you need to store them correctly to maintain the texture of the **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites**. The key is getting them cooled quickly and into an airtight container so that rich garlic butter doesn’t make everything soggy overnight. I usually aim to refrigerate mine within two hours of cooking.

When you want to enjoy them again, the stovetop is your best friend for reheating. It helps bring back a little bit of that original sear. Avoid nuking them too long, or they will seize up! Here’s a quick guide for keeping your **Garlic Butter Chicken Bites** tasting almost as good as fresh.

Method	Instructions
Refrigerator Storage	Airtight container for up to 3 days
Stovetop Reheat (Best)	Medium heat in a skillet, 3-4 minutes, toss often
Microwave Reheat	Low power, 45-second intervals, stirring halfway

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