Description
Revolutionize your weeknight dinner with Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites! Tender chicken infused with a rich, savory, and subtly spicy compound butter featuring garlic, fresh herbs, and a hint of chili.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (for chicken)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (for chicken)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (for butter)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (for butter)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry, cut into 1-inch pieces. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp sea salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, chives, thyme, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, 1 tsp sea salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly, then stir in lemon juice. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F/74°C). Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the prepared cowboy butter mixture to the skillet. Stir constantly until melted and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat all pieces in the melted cowboy butter. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, to meld flavors.
- Remove from heat, let rest for a few minutes, then garnish with extra fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Serve as a main dish or appetizer.
- Pair with rice or crusty bread.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 150mg