Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner and go-to appetizer. These Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are incredibly juicy, bursting with flavor, and ridiculously easy to make. We coat tender pieces of chicken in a zesty, savory, and slightly spicy butter sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you’re looking for a dish that’s quick, versatile, and packed with personality, this is it. Forget boring chicken; this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal in under 30 minutes.
We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure every single bite is golden-brown on the outside and perfectly cooked within. The real star, the Cowboy Butter, is a magical concoction of butter, garlic, herbs, and a little kick of spice that clings to the chicken, making every mouthful an explosion of flavor.
What Are Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites?
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are bite-sized pieces of chicken breast or thighs pan-seared to perfection and then tossed in a bold and flavorful sauce known as Cowboy Butter. This isn’t just any butter sauce; it’s a rich mixture infused with garlic, fresh herbs like parsley and chives, lemon juice for brightness, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes and Dijon mustard. It’s a simple concept with a high flavor payoff, making it a standout dish for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Fast: From prep to plate, this entire dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Packed with Flavor: The sauce is the hero here—it’s savory, zesty, herbaceous, and has just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting.
- Super Versatile: Serve these chicken bites as a main course over rice, pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes. They also make a fantastic appetizer for parties—just add toothpicks!
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients for the chicken and the sauce already in your pantry and fridge.
The Magic is in the Sauce: What is Cowboy Butter?
Cowboy butter is a compound butter sauce that originated as a dipping sauce for steak, but its incredible flavor profile makes it a perfect pairing for chicken, seafood, and vegetables. Think of it as garlic butter turned up to eleven. Our version combines melted butter with minced garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, red pepper flakes, and a generous amount of fresh parsley and chives. It’s the kind of sauce that makes everything taste better. For another amazing butter sauce, check out our classic cowboy butter recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Bites:
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and black pepper to taste
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick)
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon
- Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed
- Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup, finely chopped
- Fresh Chives: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/2 teaspoon (or more, to taste)
- Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet (cast iron works great) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Start the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the stick of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Build the Flavor: Whisk in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1-2 minutes for the flavors to meld together.
- Combine: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and chives. Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated in the glorious Cowboy Butter sauce.
- Serve: Serve your Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites immediately, garnished with a little extra fresh parsley if desired.
Tips for the Juiciest Chicken Bites
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For a perfect golden-brown sear, cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of searing it.
- Use a Hot Skillet: Ensure your skillet is properly heated before adding the chicken. This helps to create a beautiful crust that locks in the juices.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breast cooks quickly. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the pan as soon as it’s cooked through to prevent it from becoming dry.
- Fresh is Best: While you can use dried herbs in a pinch, fresh parsley, chives, and lemon juice make a huge difference in the final flavor of the sauce.
What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites
These versatile chicken bites pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a comforting dinner, serve them over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside our delicious Gouda mashed potatoes. They also work beautifully with pasta; simply toss them with your favorite noodles. For a lighter meal, a fresh green salad or some steamed garlic butter green beans are excellent choices.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store any leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat until heated through. You can add a small splash of water or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the chicken tough and rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
While you can freeze them, the texture of the chicken may change slightly upon reheating. It’s best enjoyed fresh. If you do freeze, store in an airtight container for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before gently reheating on the stovetop.
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Simply melt it in the skillet before tossing it with your freshly cooked chicken.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be delicious in this recipe. They may take an extra minute or two to cook through, but they will be extra juicy.
It has a mild kick from the red pepper flakes and Dijon mustard. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
For an appetizer, serve them warm on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You can also provide a side of crusty bread for dipping in the extra sauce.
The Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites: The Ultimate Juicy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet (cast iron works great) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the stick of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Whisk in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1-2 minutes for the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and chives. Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated in the glorious Cowboy Butter sauce.
- Serve your Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites immediately, garnished with a little extra fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Tip 2: Fresh herbs and lemon juice are highly recommended for the most vibrant sauce flavor.
Tip 3: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level to your preference.
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