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Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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