Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
If you’re craving a quick, flavorful bite that’s bursting with rich, buttery garlic goodness, you’re in the right place. This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe is one of those golden gems I reach for when I want something satisfying without a ton of fuss. The chicken pieces get perfectly crisp on the outside, juicy inside, and the buttery garlic sauce? Yeah, it practically begs for a side of crusty bread or your favorite veggies. You’re going to love how fast and versatile this comes together.
Why This Recipe Works
- Bite-sized for quick cooking: Cutting the chicken into small pieces helps it cook fast while locking in juiciness.
- Flour and seasoning coating: Gives the chicken a beautiful golden crust and boosts flavor complexity.
- Garlic butter finish: The garlic caramelizes just right in the butter, creating an irresistible sauce.
- Simple yet impressive: It’s an easy recipe that feels fancy enough to serve guests or enjoy any night.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients that combine for big flavor. Each one plays a role in creating that classic garlicky butter goodness with a hint of herbs.

- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I cut mine into small pieces for quick, even cooking and tender bites.
- All-purpose flour: Helps develop that golden-brown crust when cooked in butter and oil.
- Italian seasoning: Adds an herby, aromatic touch without overpowering the garlic.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
- Olive oil: Gives a subtle fruity note and helps butter from burning during cooking.
- Unsalted butter: The star ingredient — it carries the garlic flavor perfectly and creates that rich sauce.
- Minced fresh garlic: Using fresh garlic makes all the difference; it melts into the butter with brightness.
- Fresh parsley: Sprinkled at the end for a fresh, vibrant finish and lovely color contrast.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love how easy it is to make this recipe your own. Whether you want it more garlicky, a little spicy, or extra herby, there’s room to experiment—and you’ll enjoy discovering your perfect version.
- Extra Garlic Boost: Once, I doubled the garlic and added a pinch of smoked paprika—seriously next level flavor.
- Lemon Lover’s Twist: A few squeezes of fresh lemon juice at the end brighten everything up wonderfully.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes while cooking for a subtle heat your taste buds will thank you for.
- Herb Variations: Try swapping parsley for fresh thyme or rosemary for a different herb profile.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken pieces dry—this is key! Moisture is the enemy of a golden crust. Then toss the chicken with flour, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. I like to keep tossing until every piece is evenly coated, with no loose flour at the bottom. This flour coating will crisp right up in the pan and keep the chicken juicy inside.
Step 2: Get the Pan Hot and Cook Chicken
Heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil plus 1 tablespoon of butter. I love tilting the pan to coat the bottom with buttery oil—that helps prevent sticking and encourages even browning. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer with a little space between them, so they don’t steam. Let them cook for about 3 minutes without moving—trust me, patience here pays off in beautiful color. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until chicken is nearly cooked through.
Step 3: Finish with Garlic, Butter & Herbs
Now add the remaining butter in small pieces, minced garlic, and fresh parsley. Stir gently and let it cook for about 1 minute. This is where the chicken really soaks up that incredible garlic butter flavor. Make sure the chicken reaches 165°F inside and isn’t pink anymore. Serve immediately for best taste!
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Pat Dry is Key: Drying the chicken before coating helps get that golden crust without sogginess.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Giving each piece room prevents steaming and promotes crispiness.
- Fresh Garlic Only: Mince it fresh, don’t use pre-minced—it’s fresher and less bitter when cooked briefly in butter.
- Butter Last: Adding most of the butter at the end infuses flavor and helps finish cooking gently without burning.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Garnishes
I always top mine off with a little extra fresh parsley for color and brightness—it makes the dish look vibrant and fresh. For an extra pop, a quick zest of lemon over the top adds a beautiful citrusy lift that pairs so well with the garlic butter.
Side Dishes
I love serving these chicken bites with lemon couscous—it’s quick to make and so perfectly complementary. Steamed or sautéed veggies like zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli are also a go-to for me, adding a fresh crunch to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun appetizer at gatherings, I’ve served these on small skewers with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and a lemon wedge on the side. It looks festive and makes it super easy for guests to grab and enjoy. You can also spoon the garlicky butter sauce over rice or mashed potatoes for a comforting dinner plate centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The key is to keep that buttery sauce — it stays delicious but sometimes thickens, so give the reheated bites a quick stir to redistribute the butter flavors.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftovers successfully—just cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. When defrosting, I thaw overnight in the fridge to keep texture intact.
Reheating
For reheating, I gently warm the bites in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, to revive the buttery sauce without drying out the chicken. Microwaving works too but be sure to add a splash of water or butter to maintain moisture.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute and offer even more juicy flavor, though they might take a minute or two longer to cook through. Just cut them into similar-sized bite pieces to keep cooking times consistent.
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How can I make this dish dairy-free?
You can swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine or use olive oil only, though you’ll lose some of that rich buttery flavor. Adding a bit extra garlic and herbs can help boost the taste when skipping butter.
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Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes! The chicken reheats very well, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently to maintain moisture and flavor.
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What can I use if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
No worries! A mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme—whatever you have on hand—works perfectly. The seasoning just adds a subtle herbal backdrop to the garlic butter.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely love this Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe because it feels cozy, elegant, and super easy all at once. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or hosting friends, this recipe hits that sweet spot of comfort and flavor with minimal effort. I hope you give it a try soon and enjoy every garlicky, buttery bite just as much as I do. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 9 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are tender, flavorful pieces of chicken cooked in a sizzling garlic butter sauce with fresh parsley. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying main course that pairs well with lemon couscous or steamed vegetables for a wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/4 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic (4 cloves)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat skillet: Preheat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat to get it ready for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels on all sides to ensure a crisp texture when cooked.
- Coat chicken: Sprinkle flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken pieces. Toss well until all pieces are evenly coated with the flour mixture, ensuring no excess flour remains.
- Cook chicken: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the hot skillet, swirling to coat the pan. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer with some space between them, allowing them to brown instead of steam.
- Brown first side: Cook the chicken undisturbed for about 3 minutes until nicely golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip and cook other side: Flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 2 minutes until nearly cooked through.
- Add butter, garlic, and parsley: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in small pieces, then add minced garlic and chopped parsley. Cook everything together for 1 more minute, ensuring the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has no pink inside.
- Serve immediately: Remove the chicken bites from the skillet and serve hot, pairing with your choice of lemon couscous or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- For extra herb flavor, double the amount of parsley used in the recipe.
- You can enhance the dish by adding juice of half a lemon at the end for a bright, fresh taste.
- This chicken pairs wonderfully with lemon couscous made by boiling chicken broth, lemon juice, and water, then adding couscous and letting it steam off heat for 5 minutes.
- Steamed or sautéed vegetables such as squash, zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli make quick, healthy sides for this dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg


