Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: Your new favorite easy dinner! Tender, juicy chicken simmered in rich garlic butter. Perfect for quick, flavorful weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Stars:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Sauce Essentials:
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cold water
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken: First things first, grab your chicken thighs and pat them super dry with paper towels. I’m telling you, this is key for those beautiful golden-brown Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Easy Dinner. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, the smoked paprika, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix; I just use my hands, getting all messy, but it ensures every piece is coated perfectly.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, add half of your seasoned chicken in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, hon, or they’ll steam instead of sear—I learned that the hard way! Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully golden brown. You’ll start smelling that delicious spice mix, it’s honestly the best. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Garlic Butter Magic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet, letting it melt and get all bubbly. Then, toss in that glorious minced fresh garlic. Stir it constantly for about 1 minute until it’s fragrant. Don’t let it brown too much, or it’ll get bitter—oops, I’ve done that before! The smell filling your kitchen right now? That’s pure comfort, I swear. This is where the magic for our Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Easy Dinner really happens.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Those bits are flavor gold! In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until smooth. Slowly pour this slurry into the simmering broth, whisking constantly. Watch it thicken right before your eyes; it’s so satisfying! Let it simmer for another minute until it’s glossy and coats the back of a spoon.
- Combine and Coat: Return all the seared Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Easy Dinner to the skillet. Toss them gently in that luscious, thickened garlic butter sauce, making sure every single bite is beautifully coated. I love how the sauce clings to the chicken, it just looks so inviting. Let it simmer for another minute or two, just to warm everything through and let the flavors meld together. You want that chicken to soak up all that goodness.
- Finishing Touches: Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze in a generous splash of fresh lemon juice—honestly, this brightens everything up so much, you didn’t expect that! Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Give it a final gentle toss. The aroma now is just incredible, signaling that your delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Easy Dinner is ready to be devoured. Look at that gorgeous, saucy chicken!