Garlic Butter Chicken Bites—Tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with Italian seasoning and a touch of lemon.
You ever have one of those days when everything feels just slightly off? Like, you stub your toe, your coffee’s cold before you even have a sip, and you realize way too late that you left your phone charger at work? Yeah, that kind of day. That’s when these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites came to the rescue.
I remember that night so clearly—I’d just come back from a trip visiting my sister, who lives two states over. She’s got this beautiful little backyard garden, and she sent me home with more fresh herbs than I knew what to do with. So there I was, exhausted, hungry, and rummaging through the fridge trying to make something—anything—that didn’t involve cereal or toast. And then I saw the chicken.
It was like a little lightbulb moment. I grabbed the garlic, butter, some leftover wine from the weekend, and those herbs my sister insisted I take. I threw it all together and, suddenly, the day didn’t seem so bad. And now? It’s my comfort food recipe. Something about that buttery garlic sauce with a squeeze of lemon just feels like a hug on a plate. I’ve made it so many times since then, usually with a side of crusty bread for dipping because I’m a sucker for carbs.
Honestly, if you’re ever having one of those days—where nothing’s going right and you just want something warm and comforting—give this a try. It’s saved my mood more times than I can count.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Recipe?
Let’s be real—this recipe checks all the boxes when it comes to quick, easy, and ridiculously tasty.
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Quick and Easy: We’re talking about a meal you can have ready in 25 minutes. No fuss, no stress. Perfect for when you’re running low on patience or just need something comforting now.
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Minimal Ingredients: The best recipes are usually the simplest. Just chicken, garlic, butter, lemon, some herbs, and you’re good to go.
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Rich Flavor: That combination of butter, garlic, and wine is basically a flavor cheat code. The lemon juice just brightens it all up.
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Versatile: Serve it over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or just eat it straight from the pan. No judgment here.
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Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a batch and toss it in salads, wraps, or just heat it up for a quick snack.
Ingredient Notes:
This is one of those recipes where everything just works. Here’s why:
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Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless, and cut into bite-sized pieces. They cook up fast and soak up that garlic butter sauce beautifully.
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Garlic: Six cloves might sound like overkill… but trust me, it’s what gives the dish all that flavor. You can’t skimp on the garlic.
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White Wine: Adds depth and richness to the sauce. Don’t have wine? Chicken broth works just fine.
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Butter: This is the magic ingredient. It makes everything rich and velvety.
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Lemon Juice: Cuts through the richness and adds brightness. Don’t skip this part—it’s like the secret weapon.
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Italian Seasoning: Adds a touch of herby goodness that just ties everything together.
How To Make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites?
Skillet Method
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Coat the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic. Toss the chicken pieces until they’re fully coated. Basically, you’re giving them a flavorful dust bath. -
Cook the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer and let them cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 4 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set them aside.Want To Save This Recipe?
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Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce:
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the wine and cook until it mostly evaporates, which takes about 2 minutes. -
Finish with Butter and Lemon Juice:
Add butter and lemon juice to the skillet, stirring until the butter melts and everything turns into a silky, buttery sauce. -
Combine and Serve:
Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss it in the sauce. Garnish with parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Air Fryer Method
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Preheat & Prep:
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray. -
Cook the Chicken:
Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket. Spray with cooking spray and cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through. -
Finish with Garlic Butter Sauce:
Prepare the garlic butter sauce in a skillet as described above and toss the cooked chicken in the sauce.
Storage Options:
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Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to keep the flavor intact.
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Freezer: Store cooked chicken (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat with fresh sauce.
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Reheat: The stovetop works best. Microwaving tends to make it a bit dry.
Variations and Substitutions:
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Spicy Version: Add crushed red pepper flakes or drizzle with hot sauce for some heat.
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Creamy Sauce: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a velvety, rich sauce.
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Herb Substitution: Swap out Italian seasoning for thyme, rosemary, or even dill if you’re feeling adventurous.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites?
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Rice or Pasta: Soaks up all that buttery garlic sauce.
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Bread: Especially crusty bread. You’ll want it for dipping.
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Roasted Veggies: Broccoli, asparagus, zucchini… whatever’s in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Thighs are juicier and add even more flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yep. Just keep the chicken and sauce separate until you’re ready to eat.
What if I don’t have wine?
No problem. Chicken broth works perfectly fine.
Give these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites a try and let me know how they turn out! And if you end up adding your own twist, I need to hear about it.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon grated garlic approximately 6 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth as a substitute
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation:
Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic until well combined.
Coat the Chicken:
- Add the chicken pieces to the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. This coating will help create a beautiful golden crust when cooked.
Cooking (Skillet Method):
Sear the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook without disturbing them for approximately 4 minutes, allowing one side to develop a golden-brown crust. Flip the pieces and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- Lower the heat to medium and add the grated garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned.
Deglaze the Pan:
- Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and stir continuously, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits. Cook for approximately 2 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Add Butter and Lemon Juice:
- Incorporate the cubed butter and lemon juice, stirring until the butter is fully melted and a smooth sauce is formed.
Combine and Serve:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and gently toss in the garlic butter sauce until thoroughly coated. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Air Fryer Method (Optional):
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the coated chicken pieces in an even layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray.
- Cook for approximately 14 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through.
- Once cooked, proceed with preparing the garlic butter sauce in a skillet as outlined above.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
