Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are always a dinnertime hit! Tender and buttery bite-sized chicken pieces are seared in a skillet then tossed with garlic butter and Parmesan for a kid-friendly meal that’s ready in 20 minutes.
We are huge fans of chicken bites around here. They’re such a tasty way to make a protein-filled entree that’s super kid-friendly. I’ve made ranch chicken bites, Greek chicken bites, and teriyaki chicken bites, but today is all about the garlic butter!
This recipe for Parmesan chicken garlic bites might just be my favorite of all. I love how the chicken sears up quickly in a skillet, making bites that are juicy and tender inside with a golden sear. Then we seal the deal with a dreamy Parmesan-laced garlic butter sauce. Yum!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Family-friendly – Everyone (and I mean everyone!) loves these buttery garlic chicken bites.
- Super fast – These garlic butter chicken bites are one of my favorite recipes for fast and easy lunches and dinners. We’re talking only 20 minutes until they’re on the table!
- Simple list of ingredients – All you need are chicken, chicken base, seasonings, and the ingredients for the garlic butter sauce.
- Versatile – Enjoy these garlic parmesan chicken bites with rice, potatoes, pasta, or on salads or bowls. The possibilities are endless.
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites recipe is as simple as promised! Just 20 minutes for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
For the chicken bites:
- Chicken – I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breast for these garlic chicken bites.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the chicken. Choose your favorite mid-level olive oil.
- Chicken base – Paste-style bullion adds deep, rich flavor. You can find chicken base in the soup section of most grocery stores. A common brand is Better than Bullion.
- Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and thyme.
For the garlic parmesan sauce:
- Butter – Garlic’s best friend, butter creates a rich and flavorful sauce.
- Garlic – You’ll want four cloves of fresh garlic, minced. To mince garlic easily, smash each clove with the flat side of your knife, remove the stem end, then carefully cut each clove horizontally then vertically like an onion, then straight down. From there, just a few extra chops will get you nice, finely minced garlic.
- Parmesan cheese – For these garlic parm chicken bites, I like grated Parmesan cheese best.
- Red pepper flakes – For a touch of heat. If you prefer milder chicken garlic bites, feel free to leave the red pepper flakes out.
- Parsley – Adds a nice bit of herbaceous flavor and color.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Bites– Add 1/4 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot) to the melted butter. Sprinkle a bit of blue cheese over the top of the chicken when plating it. Serve with celery sticks and homemade ranch dressing for dipping.
- Hot Honey Chicken Bites– Omit the Parmesan from the butter sauce then add 1/4 cup honey and 1 tablespoon hot sauce.
- BBQ Chicken Bites– Toss chicken bites in 1/2 to 1 cup barbecue sauce instead of the butter mixture.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites.
Melt the butter. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil, chicken, chicken base, and seasonings.
Stir to coat the chicken evenly, then sear on all sides.
Pour the garlic butter over the chicken and stir for about a minute, scraping the pan to stir up and brown bits.
Add the Parmesan and parsley. Toss to coat.
Cook until the chicken is done and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces – This will help the chicken cook at the same rate so that you don’t have any under- or over-cooked bites.
- Don’t stir constantly – Give the chicken some time on each side in the hot skillet before stirring. This will help develop that delicious golden brown sear on each side.
- Use an instant-read thermometer – For insurance, you can check to make sure your chicken garlic bites are thoroughly cooked by using a meat thermometer. Just insert the probe into the center of one of the bites and if the temp reads 165°F, it’s done.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Make-ahead – Do some prep steps ahead of time. Cut the chicken, mince the garlic, and measure out the seasonings.
- Buy prepped ingredients – Buy chicken already cut into chunks from the butcher and grab pre-minced garlic for a couple of simple yet handy shortcuts.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Since this protein-based dinner has the delicious flavors of garlic butter, it will pair well with many of your favorite classic side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Ranch Smashed Potatoes or Herb Roasted Potatoes
- White or brown rice, or try this Lemon Rice for the perfect balance of flavors
- Sautéed Green Beans, Sauteed Mushrooms, or Roasted Vegetables
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Garlic Chicken Pasta Alfredo– Warm leftover chicken and serve it over pasta tossed with homemade alfredo sauce.
- Garlic Chicken Bowls– Add rice to a bowl and top with warmed leftover chicken. Add thinly sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette or buttermilk ranch over the top.
- Garlic Chicken Pizza– Spread alfredo sauce on a pizza crust and top with cooked spinach, leftover chicken garlic parmesan bites, mozzarella, and crumbled feta cheese. Bake.
- Garlic Chicken Caesar Sandwiches– Toss leftover chicken bites with Caesar salad and stuff in French bread a’la these chicken caesar sandwiches.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make these chicken bites in the oven?
Yes, you can follow the directions for these juicy oven-baked chicken bites, then toss the cooked chicken in the garlic butter sauce.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Either will work well.
More EASY Chicken Bites Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chicken base
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoons black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Melt the butter on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes.
- In a large skillet, combine the chicken with the olive oil, chicken base, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and thyme. Stir to coat evenly.
- Cook over medium high heat until seared on all sides, about 5 minutes. Then pour the garlic butter over the chicken bites and stir for 30-60 seconds, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any brown bits, until they are all evenly coated. Then stir in the parmesan and chopped parsley and toss to coat. Continue to cook until the chicken is done, (165˚F internal temp) about 1-2 minutes. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work well.
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