Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a quick and easy dish bursting with zesty lemon, rich butter, and aromatic garlic flavors. Perfectly crispy outside and tender inside, this gluten-free appetizer is ideal for busy weeknights or entertaining guests with a savory, buttery bite.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1 lb bite-sized pieces of chicken breast or thigh
Seasonings & Sauce
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Optional Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
- Pinch of lemon zest (optional)
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized, roughly uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Pat dry with paper towels to help achieve a crispy exterior upon cooking.
- Season and Sear: Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook gently until the garlic is soft and fragrant without burning. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and stir constantly to form a silky sauce that coats the chicken bites.
- Combine and Finish: Return chicken to the skillet if removed. Toss the chicken pieces in the lemon garlic butter sauce ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra freshness. Remove from heat.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure a crispy crust instead of steaming.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best bright flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary for even browning.
- Add garlic after chicken browns to prevent bitterness.
- Use unsalted butter for better control over seasoning and purer rich taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: lemon garlic butter chicken bites, quick chicken appetizers, gluten free chicken recipe, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken bites, buttery chicken bites