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Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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