Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are flavorful, bite-sized pieces of chicken cooked to golden perfection in a rich, buttery sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a touch of smoky paprika. This quick and easy skillet recipe is perfect for a hearty appetizer or a main dish that combines a balance of spicy, tangy, and buttery flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound (450g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them evenly with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat the oil: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Melt the butter: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt completely, coating the skillet base.
- Sauté the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add flavorings: Mix in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and honey. Stir well to create a smooth, flavorful cowboy butter sauce.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss thoroughly to ensure they are fully coated in the sauce.
- Heat through: Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to reheat the chicken and allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken bites for a fresh finish.
- Serve immediately: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the chicken bites to a serving platter while warm.
Notes
- To avoid overcooking, cook chicken in batches if needed to maintain skillet temperature.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor in the sauce.
- Serve with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the cowboy butter sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop.
