Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites: Bold, Buttery, and Finger-Licking Good Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are bold, buttery, and packed with rich flavors from garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. This skillet-cooked dish features tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a zesty and slightly spicy butter sauce, perfect for a finger-licking main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook each side for about 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chopped fresh parsley, and thyme. Mix thoroughly until well combined for a rich, flavorful cowboy butter sauce. Optionally, add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper for an extra spicy kick.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, tossing to coat each piece evenly in the buttery sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes so the flavors meld and the chicken heats through.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve the cowboy butter chicken bites hot, accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the top to add bright, tangy freshness.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried can be substituted in a pinch (reduce quantities by half).
- Serve with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious butter sauce.
- Ensure the skillet is hot enough before adding the chicken for a good sear and crust.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, chicken bites, skillet chicken, buttery chicken recipe, spicy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, American chicken dish
