Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are a flavorful and quick dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Tender chicken pieces are seasoned, seared, and tossed in a zesty, garlicky butter sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

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: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches, cooking until each piece is golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the cowboy butter sauce until fully coated. Let it simmer together for another minute to meld the flavors.
5. Step 5: Garnish with additional fresh parsley and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a leaner option, but thighs will stay juicier.
• Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the butter sauce for a more saucy finish.
• Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover Cowboy Butter 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 until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

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 maintain the right texture. If using frozen, thaw completely before seasoning and cooking.

Is this recipe spicy?

This dish has a mild to moderate heat level thanks to the red pepper flakes. You can adjust the spice by adding more or less red pepper flakes to suit your preference.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 69 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are juicy, bite-sized pieces of chicken seared to golden perfection and tossed in a rich, flavorful butter sauce infused with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, and a touch of red pepper flakes. This quick and savory skillet dish makes a perfect appetizer or main course, bursting with smoky and tangy notes accented by fresh parsley.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• 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. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare Cowboy Butter: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, until fragrant and well combined.
4. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss them thoroughly in the cowboy butter sauce to ensure each piece is fully coated. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional minute to absorb the flavors.
5. Serve: Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired and serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites immediately while hot and flavorful.

Notes

• Use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will be juicier.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
• For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative, but flavor may vary.
• Cook chicken in batches to ensure a perfect sear and avoid steaming.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in a skillet.

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken bites, garlic butter chicken, skillet chicken recipe, quick chicken bites, spicy butter chicken