Lemon & Garlic Chicken Bites
Tender, herb-seasoned chicken pieces seared until golden and finished in a bright lemon-butter garlic sauce. Ready in about 20 minutes, these bites make a quick, zesty weeknight main or appetizer.
Equipment
- large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 large breasts)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons salted butter divided; can use unsalted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- fresh flat leaf parsley chopped, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and toss them with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Warm the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid crowding, sear the chicken until browned and cooked through (165°F), about 6–8 minutes per batch. Transfer cooked pieces to a plate as they finish.
- Turn the heat down to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 45 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Pour in the lemon juice and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, return the cooked chicken to the skillet, and toss everything together so the pieces are coated in the lemon-garlic butter.
- Finish with chopped flat-leaf parsley if using, and serve the chicken bites immediately.