Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer. Tender chicken pieces are seared to golden perfection and tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of smoky spice. This recipe brings bold flavors with minimal effort, sure to please any crowd.

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 to avoid overcrowding, cooking until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove chicken 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 and well combined.
4. Step 4: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly in the cowboy butter sauce. Let simmer for 1 minute to meld flavors.
5. Step 5: Garnish with additional parsley and serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful bites.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level or omit for a milder taste.
• Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the butter sauce for extra depth.
• Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

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 to preserve the buttery sauce and prevent the chicken from drying out.

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 a tender texture. If using frozen, thaw completely before starting.

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 complete meal.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 63 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are flavorful, bite-sized pieces of chicken seared to golden perfection and tossed in a savory garlic butter sauce infused with lemon, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and fresh parsley. This quick and easy skillet recipe is perfect for a satisfying dinner or appetizer with a hint of smoky heat from red pepper flakes.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasonings

• 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

Cooking and Sauce

• 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. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to evenly coat all pieces with the seasonings.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and cook until golden brown on all sides and thoroughly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch depending on size. Remove cooked chicken 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 fresh parsley. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant and the sauce is slightly simmering.
4. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss them in the cowboy butter sauce ensuring each piece is fully coated. Let the mixture simmer together for 1 more minute to meld the flavors.
5. Serve: Garnish with extra fresh parsley for color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Use boneless skinless thighs for juicier chicken or breasts for leaner bites.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when searing chicken to achieve a good sear.
• This dish is great served with rice, crusty bread, or a simple side salad.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites, garlic butter chicken, smoked paprika chicken, skillet chicken recipe, quick chicken bite recipe