Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Bites in One Pan Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the absolute best texture, make sure your skillet is preheated properly before adding the butter and chicken. A hot pan is essential for achieving that restaurant-style sear without overcooking the inside of the chicken.

If you add the meat to a cold pan, it will absorb the butter and become greasy rather than forming a crisp crust. Additionally, allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for about ten to fifteen minutes before cooking so that it cooks evenly throughout.

When prepping the garlic, mince it finely rather than using a garlic press. Pressed garlic tends to burn much faster and can clump together, whereas finely minced garlic distributes evenly throughout the foaming butter, creating a balanced and smooth sauce.

Finally, do not skimp on the fresh herbs at the end. The bright, mild onion flavor of the scallions and the clean freshness of the flat-leaf parsley provide a necessary contrast to the rich, heavy butter sauce.

Variations

• Spicy Garlic Butter: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the butter glaze for a spicy kick.
• Lemon Garlic Butter: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the skillet along with the butter to cut the richness with a bright citrus flavor.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth until the chicken is warmed through and the butter melts.

Allow any leftover chicken bites to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours before storing them. Transfer the chicken and all the delicious pan juices into an airtight container.

Store the container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. The butter will solidify in the fridge, but it will melt back into a rich, glossy sauce once reheated properly.

While this dish is best enjoyed fresh from the skillet, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time to save minutes during the dinner rush. Cube the chicken, mince the garlic, and chop the herbs up to a day in advance, storing them in separate containers in the refrigerator. It is not recommended to fully cook the chicken ahead of time, as reheating can dry out the breast meat.

Serving ideas

These garlic butter chicken bites are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide variety of side dishes. For a classic, comforting meal, serve them over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes, hot buttered noodles, or steamed white rice, which will soak up every drop of the rich garlic butter sauce. They also pair wonderfully with crusty French bread to mop up the pan.

For a lighter option, serve the chicken bites alongside roasted vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. You can also toss them into a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette.

For an elegant presentation, transfer the glistening chicken to a warm serving platter, pour the remaining foaming butter sauce from the skillet over the top, and garnish with extra fresh parsley.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Bites in One Pan

Prep 10 minCook 10 minTotal 20 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Melt half of the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Add the chicken cubes in a single layer. Let them sear undisturbed for three to four minutes until a rich, golden crust forms on the bottom. Do not move them too early.
2. Flip the chicken pieces using tongs to sear the remaining sides. Cook for another two to three minutes until all sides are evenly browned and the chicken is nearly cooked through. Work in batches if your skillet is too small to prevent crowding.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining butter and minced garlic to the skillet. As the butter melts and foams, toss the chicken to coat. Use a spoon to repeatedly baste the glossy chicken cubes with the rich garlic butter sauce for about one minute.
4. Sprinkle the sliced scallions and chopped fresh parsley over the sizzling chicken bites. Stir well to combine the fresh herbs with the butter sauce. Verify that the chicken has cooked through and reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before removing the skillet from the heat.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

280

Protein

36 g

Carbohydrates

1 g

Fat

14 g

Fiber

0.2 g

Sugar

0.5 g

Sodium

100 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.