Description
Delicious Garlic Butter Parmesan Chicken Bites cooked to golden perfection and served with a rich, creamy herb sauce. This easy skillet recipe features tender chicken breasts coated in Parmesan and Italian herbs, sautéed with garlic butter, and finished with a luscious sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful meal served over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Bites
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
For the Creamy Herb Sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a large bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese until evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, cooking them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. During the last minute of cooking, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the creamy herb sauce: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, and dried parsley. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss them to coat evenly with the creamy herb sauce. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to heat everything through.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra grated Parmesan or fresh herbs. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta for a hearty and complete meal.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken to achieve a nice golden crust.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
