Description
These crispy and flavorful Chicken Bites are a delicious and quick skillet-cooked dish. Coated with a fragrant blend of basil, garlic powder, and paprika, then pan-seared to golden perfection, they make a perfect weeknight dinner served with an optional buttery chicken broth sauce and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mix and Coating
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Chicken and Cooking
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ cup chicken broth (optional, for sauce)
To Serve
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, dried basil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Add the chicken pieces and gently toss them to evenly coat all sides with the spice and flour mix.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the skillet without crowding. Let them cook undisturbed for 5 minutes to develop a golden brown crust on the bottom.
- Flip and finish cooking: Turn the chicken pieces over and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the other side to brown and ensuring the chicken is cooked through. The pieces should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add butter and remove chicken: Add the unsalted butter to the skillet and stir it into the chicken pieces to coat them with buttery flavor. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer to a serving plate.
- Make optional sauce: If desired, pour the chicken broth into the hot skillet and bring to a boil. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits, stirring constantly. Let it reduce for about 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened, then pour the sauce over the plated chicken bites.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken bites and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Chicken broth sauce is optional but adds extra flavor and moisture to the dish.
- Use avocado oil for its high smoke point and mild flavor; other oils suitable for high-heat cooking can be substituted.
- Ensure chicken pieces are cut uniformly to promote even cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
