Ingredients
Scale
To create these delectable Simple Garlic Chicken Bites, you’ll need a handful of common pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and ensuring the chicken is perfectly tender and juicy. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1.5 lbs (approx. 680g) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: This is the star of our dish. Using boneless, skinless breasts makes for easy dicing and a leaner protein option. Ensure they are cut into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat, which tends to be more forgiving and juicier.
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor and health benefits. This will be used to sear the chicken, helping it develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. If you don’t have olive oil, another neutral high-heat oil like avocado oil can be substituted.
- 6–8 Cloves Fresh Garlic, Minced: This is where the magic happens! The amount of garlic can be adjusted to your personal preference, but for true “Garlic Chicken Bites,” more is often better. Freshly minced garlic offers the most potent and aromatic flavor compared to pre-minced jarred garlic or garlic powder, though the latter can be used in a pinch (use about 1.5 – 2 teaspoons of garlic powder).
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and a creamy texture to the sauce, complementing the garlic beautifully. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall sodium content of the dish.
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Italian Herbs (or a mix of dried oregano and basil): These herbs introduce a subtle Mediterranean flair that pairs wonderfully with garlic and chicken. If you have fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary, feel free to use them – about 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs would be a good substitute.
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt (or to taste): Essential for enhancing all the other flavors. Adjust the amount based on your preference and whether your butter is salted.
- 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste): Freshly ground black pepper adds a touch of warmth and spice.
- 1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For those who like a little kick, red pepper flakes provide a gentle heat that elevates the dish. Add more or less depending on your spice tolerance.
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, Chopped: Added at the end, fresh parsley brings a burst of color and freshness that brightens up the rich flavors of the garlic butter sauce. Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley is generally preferred for its robust flavor.
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (Optional, but recommended): A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can cut through the richness of the butter and garlic, adding a zesty, bright finish that truly makes the flavors pop.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the most flavorful and tender Simple Garlic Chicken Bites. The key is to prepare your ingredients beforehand (mise en place) and to avoid overcrowding the pan for that perfect sear.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- If your chicken breasts are thick, you might want to slice them in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets before dicing. This ensures the pieces are more uniform in thickness.
- Pat the chicken breast dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it helps the chicken to sear properly and develop a nice golden-brown crust rather than steaming in the pan. Excess moisture will hinder browning.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Try to keep the pieces relatively uniform in size to ensure they cook evenly. If some pieces are much larger than others, they will take longer to cook through, potentially drying out the smaller pieces.
- Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, black pepper, and the dried Italian herbs. Toss well to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Sauté the Chicken:
- Place a large skillet or frying pan (cast iron works wonderfully for a great sear) over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to get properly hot before adding the oil. You can test if it’s ready by flicking a drop of water into the pan; if it sizzles and evaporates immediately, it’s hot enough.
- Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the hot skillet. Let the oil heat up for about 30 seconds until it shimmers.
- Carefully add the seasoned chicken pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer. It’s important not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches. Overcrowding will lower the pan’s temperature, causing the chicken to steam instead of sear, and you won’t achieve that desirable golden crust.
- Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes on the first side, until nicely browned. Resist the urge to move it around too much during this initial searing phase. This allows the Maillard reaction to occur, creating deep flavor and color.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side, until browned and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). You can check this with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken piece.
- Create the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- Once the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned, reduce the heat to low. If you cooked the chicken in batches, return all the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Add the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the skillet. Let it melt around the chicken pieces. The residual heat from the pan and chicken will melt it quickly.
- Add the 6-8 cloves of minced fresh garlic (and optional red pepper flakes, if using) to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Be very careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic tastes bitter and unpleasant. Cooking it on low heat helps prevent this. The goal is to infuse the butter and chicken with the garlic aroma without browning the garlic too much.
- If using, squeeze the 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over the chicken. This adds a wonderful brightness.
- Finish and Serve:
- Stir everything together to ensure the chicken bites are well coated in the fragrant garlic butter sauce.
- Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley over the chicken. Toss one last time to combine.
- Serve your Simple Garlic Chicken Bites immediately while they are hot and the sauce is glistening.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Protein: 50g