Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are crispy, flavorful chicken pieces baked to golden perfection and tossed in a zesty, buttery sauce infused with herbs, garlic, and spices. This easy-to-make appetizer or snack delivers a perfect balance of savory and tangy notes, ideal for game day, parties, or a satisfying treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Olive oil spray
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper evenly.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow dishes – one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs for coating.
- Bread Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere well.
- Arrange and Spray: Place breaded chicken bites on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray to ensure crispiness.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make Cowboy Butter: While chicken bakes, mix melted butter with chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl until well blended.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Remove baked chicken bites from oven and immediately toss them in the cowboy butter sauce to coat thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve hot with extra cowboy butter on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Make sure to monitor baking time closely so chicken remains juicy and doesn’t overcook.
- The sauce can be made ahead and warmed slightly before tossing with chicken.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture.
