Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a smoky, garlicky butter sauce that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes, mixing well to coat the chicken in the sauce.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the chicken, stir once more, and remove from heat.
6. Step 6: Serve hot as an appetizer or with rice or veggies for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier bites; breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to your preference.
• Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth after adding butter for a more saucy texture.
• Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful butter sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave to prevent drying out. This dish does not freeze well due to the butter sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

What can I serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites?

This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 382 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are tender, flavorful pieces of chicken coated in a smoky, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of heat and fresh parsley. This quick and easy stovetop recipe makes a perfect appetizer or main dish that pairs well with a variety of sides.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cowboy Butter Sauce

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: In a mixing bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Toss well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the cowboy butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the unsalted butter and let it melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
4. Add flavorings: Stir in the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine all the flavors into the buttery sauce.
5. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss them in the cowboy butter sauce until fully coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
6. Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken bites. Serve immediately for maximum flavor and tenderness.

Notes

• You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will yield juicier bites.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level of the dish.
• Serve with rice, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
• For a richer flavor, use clarified butter instead of regular unsalted butter.

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, chicken bites, quick chicken recipe, garlicky chicken, stovetop chicken, spicy chicken bites