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Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe

5 from 62 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are a flavorful, quick-cooking dish featuring tender chicken pieces seared to golden perfection and tossed in a zesty, buttery sauce infused with garlic, lemon, mustard, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or a main dish served with your favorite sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 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
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Cowboy Butter Sauce

  • 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

  1. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated with the seasoning.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each batch until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. Prepare Cowboy Butter: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Cook the mixture for about 1 minute until fragrant and well combined.
  4. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet. Toss them in the cowboy butter sauce, ensuring they are fully coated. Let the mixture simmer for an additional minute to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve: Garnish with extra chopped fresh parsley and serve the cowboy butter chicken bites immediately while hot.

Notes

  • For a milder version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful bites; breasts also work well for a leaner option.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
  • Cook chicken in batches to ensure even searing and avoid steaming.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.

Keywords: chicken bites, cowboy butter, garlic butter chicken, quick chicken recipe, easy skillet chicken, spicy chicken bites