Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Introduction
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are tender chicken pieces tossed in a bold, buttery sauce made with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. Ready in just 25 minutes, this flavorful dish makes a perfect appetizer or weeknight meal that’s sure to impress.
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
- Step 1: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chopped parsley, and thyme until well combined.
- Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss until fully coated in the sauce. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to heat through.
- Step 6: Garnish with additional parsley if desired and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Tips & Variations
- Season both the chicken and sauce generously for maximum flavor.
- Cook chicken in smaller batches to achieve perfect golden color.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley and thyme for the best flavor.
- Adjust spice level by adding or reducing red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with plant-based butter or olive oil.
- Serve chicken bites in soft tortillas or lettuce wraps for a fun taco variation.
Storage
Store Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, warm on the stovetop with a splash of broth, or microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
What is Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites?
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked in a rich, flavorful butter sauce infused with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. They make a satisfying appetizer or main dish.
Can I customize the heat level in this recipe?
Yes, you can easily adjust the spice by increasing or decreasing the red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to suit your taste preferences.
PrintCowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are tender, juicy chicken pieces tossed in a bold and buttery sauce made with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. Ready in just 25 minutes, this flavorful American skillet dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course, offering a quick, satisfying, and finger-licking good treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the 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
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken bites in batches, avoiding overcrowding, until golden brown and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove cooked chicken and set aside.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chopped parsley, and thyme until the sauce is well combined and aromatic.
- Toss Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat each piece in the cowboy butter sauce. Let simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld and chicken to heat through.
- Serve Hot: Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side to add brightness and a refreshing zest.
Notes
- Ensure you season the chicken well on all sides for maximum flavor.
- Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which prevents proper browning.
- Use fresh garlic and herbs like parsley and thyme for the best flavor impact.
- Allow the cooked chicken to rest briefly before serving to retain moisture.
- Adjust spice levels by varying the amount of red pepper flakes or adding cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or on the stovetop with a splash of broth.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken, Chicken Bites, Butter Sauce, Garlic Chicken, Quick Chicken Recipe, American Chicken Recipe, Spicy Chicken Bites, Weeknight Dinner, Appetizer
