Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites deliver a sensational burst of bold and buttery flavor in tender chicken enveloped in a rich, garlicky sauce, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce
- 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
To Serve
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) For added heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken dry and season it with salt and pepper.
Cooking Chicken
- 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 chicken and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- Lower the heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, then stir in the minced garlic.
- Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Combining Ingredients
- Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, parsley, and thyme. Stir everything to combine.
Mix Chicken with Sauce
- Return chicken to the skillet and toss until fully coated.
- Simmer for 1–2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Garnishing and Serving
- Garnish with extra parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Notes
For the best flavor, toss the chicken with sauce right before serving. You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, store separately, and combine when ready to serve.