Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
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.
- 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
