This Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and only uses one skillet for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Trust me, this dish is a game-changer for busy nights!
Ingredients You Need for Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
Let’s gather our ingredients so we can dive into this deliciously easy recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (a couple pinches is good!)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (yum!)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (because, honestly, who doesn’t love garlic?)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (you can skip this if you’re short on time, but it’s worth it!)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (for that spicy kick!)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (it adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, but you can use dried in a pinch)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (totally optional but great for flavor!)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if you’re feeling adventurous and want some extra heat!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Chicken: First off, pat your chicken dry. Then, season those little bits with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. This helps accentuate all the flavors when we cook!
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken pieces in batches (to avoid overcrowding), cooking until golden brown and cooked through, around 3–4 minutes per side. Once they’re all beautifully browned, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Now, here’s where the magic happens: stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Seriously, you’ll be tempted to just stand there inhaling!
Add the Zest and Flavor: Time to bring the flavor! Mix in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, parsley, and thyme. Stir it all together until everything’s combined. The smell will blow your mind!
Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the buttery goodness until it’s fully coated. Now, let it simmer for 1–2 minutes so it soaks up all those amazing flavors.
Finish Up: Garnish with extra chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side. You might want to grab a piece or two right off the pan, after all, chefs get to taste!
If you loved this Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites, be sure to check out my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas or my Green Sauce Chicken! These recipes are favorites that you and your family will absolutely devour!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites recipe comes together all in one skillet, making prep and cleanup a breeze! Seriously, it takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish. You’ll definitely want to keep this quick and easy recipe on hand!
Comfort Food
You know how some meals just hit you right in the heart? This dish is comfort food at its best. It’s loaded with delicious buttery garlic flavor, tons of fresh herbs, and juicy chicken. When you take that first bite, it’s like a warm hug!
Crowd-Pleaser
This recipe is perfect for the whole family! Whether they’re picky eaters or adventurous food explorers, everyone can enjoy these bold and flavorful chicken bites. Don’t be surprised if your kids ask for second or thirds!
Customizable
What I love the most? You can totally customize it! Don’t have thyme? Use oregano instead! No fresh parsley? Dried works too! Want to go wild with flavors? Toss in some bell peppers, onions, or even spinach. Use whatever you have on hand!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
I love to serve these Chicken Bites over a bed of rice or with a side of roasted vegetables. They’re also fabulous in tacos or on a fresh salad for a unique twist! And don’t forget those lemon wedges for squeezing over the top, so refreshing!
Leftovers Storage
If you have any leftovers (which, let’s face it, you might not because it’s that good!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. You could even toss a splash of water in there to create a little steam and keep things moist while they warm up!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! These bites freeze well! Just let them cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They’ll keep for about 3 months. When you’re ready to dig in, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as directed.
A Little More About Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
So I feel like I can’t close this out without mentioning that this recipe is really versatile. I mean, I have made it with leftover roast chicken and even used spices I’ve run across in the back of my pantry. The day I pulled the smoked paprika out? Total game changer.
And while the ingredients might sound simple, they come together in a way that’s just seriously tasty. The butter and garlic work in harmony, coating those tender chicken bites and allowing for a flavor explosion. Honestly, every time I make it, I’m reminded how much goodness comes from such simple, everyday ingredients.
Remember, food is about bringing people together, so whip this up and enjoy a cozy dinner with the family! You won’t regret it, I promise!
Now go grab those ingredients, get your skillet sizzling, and let’s make this delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites together!
By crafting this Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites recipe, I aimed to make cooking less intimidating and to share the love of food and family meals. If you ever have questions or fun variations you come up with, I’d love to hear from you. Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A quick and easy one-skillet recipe for buttery, bold chicken bites loaded with flavor, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches until golden and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium, melt the butter in the same skillet, and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, parsley, and thyme. Mix until combined.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Notes
Feel free to customize with any leftover vegetables or additional spices you have at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 100mg