Introduction

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are flavorful, tender pieces of chicken tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of spice. This quick and easy dish makes a perfect appetizer or main course for a satisfying meal.

This image shows a close-up of many small, golden-brown fried pieces of cauliflower in a white dish. Each cauliflower piece is slightly crispy with some darker browned spots, coated in a glistening, shiny sauce that pools at the bottom of the dish. Small bits of green herbs are visible scattered among the cauliflower, adding color contrast. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, and a metal spoon is partially visible on the right side, slightly covered by the cauliflower pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Step 1: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
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 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss well to coat each piece in the cowboy butter sauce. Let it simmer together for another minute to meld the flavors.
Step 5: Garnish with extra chopped parsley and serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor, but chicken breasts work well too.
Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the butter sauce for more depth.
Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Serve these bites with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the buttery 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 sauce’s richness, or microwave covered for 1-2 minutes.

How to Serve

The image shows many small, golden-brown roasted cauliflower bites on a wooden plate. Each bite has a slightly textured, crispy outside with little green parsley pieces sprinkled on top. One piece is held by a shiny silver fork, showing the soft white inside of the cauliflower. The bites are shiny with a light coating of oil and some spices visible on the surface. The background has a white marbled texture, giving a clean look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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. If using frozen, thaw completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

How can I make this dish dairy-free?

Substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter to keep the rich flavor without dairy.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.4 from 50 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken seasoned with smoky paprika and garlic, then pan-seared to golden perfection. Tossed in a rich, flavorful cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and spicy red pepper flakes, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer with a kick.

Author: Sophie
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

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 Ingredients

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

Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated to infuse them with delicious flavor.
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 each piece is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
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 fresh chopped parsley. Cook for about 1 minute until the mixture is fragrant and well combined.
Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss them in the cowboy butter sauce until fully coated. Allow everything to simmer together for 1 minute to let the flavors meld.
Serve: Garnish with extra fresh parsley and serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites immediately while warm and flavorful.

Notes

Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
For extra flavor, you can use chicken thighs which tend to be juicier and more tender than breasts.
Ensure not to overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken to get a nice golden crust.
This recipe pairs well with rice, crusty bread, or a fresh green salad for a full meal.
You can prepare the cowboy butter sauce in advance, but best to toss with chicken and serve immediately for optimal taste.

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites, chicken bites, smoky chicken, garlic chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, skillet chicken, spicy chicken bites