Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
These bold, buttery bites of chicken are rich and slightly spicy, making them perfect for a snack, appetizer, or main dish. The homemade butter garlic sauce adds fantastic flavor.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Butter Sauce Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper for extra heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- Lower heat to medium. Melt butter in the skillet, then stir in garlic. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, parsley, and thyme. Stir to combine.
- Return chicken to skillet and toss until fully coated. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
Serving
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Notes
Dry the chicken well for better browning. Avoid crowding the pan and cook in batches to ensure even coloring. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for optimal flavor. Adjust heat according to taste with optional cayenne pepper. Cool and store properly to prolong freshness.