Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are tender, golden-browned pieces of chicken breasts cooked in a rich, flavorful butter sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and a hint of spice. This quick stovetop recipe is perfect for a hearty appetizer or a delicious main dish served with lemon wedges for extra zest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, 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
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor and help achieve a nice sear.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken breasts in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine Flavorings: Stir in the Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chopped parsley, and fresh thyme. If using, add the cayenne pepper to give an extra kick. Mix well to combine all ingredients into a smooth, aromatic sauce.
- Coat the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss or spoon the cowboy butter sauce over the pieces. Let everything simmer together for 1 to 2 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve: Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired and serve the chicken bites hot with fresh lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over before eating.
Notes
- Cooking chicken in batches helps achieve a better sear and prevents steaming.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper based on your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh herbs for the brightest flavor; dried can be a substitute but use half the quantity.
- This dish pairs well with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken to get a nice golden crust.
Keywords: Chicken bites, cowboy butter sauce, garlic chicken, skillet chicken, quick chicken recipe
Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-bites-recipe/
